Careers & Higher Education

Making the right decisions about university choices and preparation for future careers are undoubtedly some of the most important decisions that students will be faced with during their time at the RGS.

The careers guidance programme is comprehensive and well planned. It provides pupils with up-to-date guidance on a broad range of educational and career options.

ISI Report 2025

Individual Guidance

The design of the curriculum ensures that critical decisions are not made until students make their A Level choices. Plans are discussed individually with each student so that they are aware of the potential implications of choices made in terms of university and career aspirations. This same rationale underpins the guidance on university applications.

Universities

The School is very proud of its record in securing places at leading universities: over the last ten years, on average, 50% of students have taken up places at Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, Bath, Exeter and Bristol, with others going to Warwick, Nottingham and the London universities of Imperial, UCL and KCL.  Support is also given for those choosing to apply to American Universities or to follow the increasingly popular Degree Apprenticeship route.

 

Results 2026

36% of all grades were the gold standard A*; in total, 315 A* and A grades were secured by our hard-working cohort.  74 students achieved a clean sweep of grades at A or A*.

A Levels

2026 Results

A* A B C D E U Entry
Ancient History 2 2 4
Art 2 1 3
Biology 9 8 2 1 20
Business Studies 3 3 2 8
Chemistry 15 22 6 2 2 47
Computer Science 4 5 9
Design & Technology 1 1 1 3
Drama 1 1 2
Economics 15 28 15 3 61
English Literature 3 2 2 1 8
French 1 3 1 5
Further Maths 19 10 3 4 36
Geography 3 5 9 17
Government & Politics 4 5 3 2 14
Greek 1 1
History 5 2 4 2 1 14
Latin 1 3 4
Mathematics 52 33 10 8 5 1 109
Music 2 2 1 5
Physics 12 18 10 4 44
Physical Education 2 1 3
Religious Studies 5 4 2 2 13
Russian 1 1
Spanish 1 4 3 8
TOTALS 159 162 78 30 9 1 439

 

Leavers' Destinations

2022-2026

University Number of Students
Durham 78
Bath 72
Exeter 61
Cambridge 49
Oxford 44
Nottingham 42
Bristol 40
UCL 37
Warwick 33
Southampton 25
Leeds 24
Edinburgh 19
Imperial College 13
Sheffield 12
Loughborough 10
King’s College, London 11
Other 111

University Courses

Top Degree Choices 2022-2026

Total
Economics 105
Sciences 103
Engineering 81
Business/Managaement/Finance 67
Maths/Computer Science 67
Philosophy/PPE 37
Medicine/Veterinary Medicine 33
Geography 28
Politics/International Relations 22
Modern Languages 22
Classics 20
Comined Honours 20
History 16
Others 14
Music 11
English 10
Law 9
Architecture 5

Careers

Students are given plenty of opportunities to investigate and explore potential career paths. All Fifth Form students undertake a period of Work Experience following the completion of their GCSE examinations.

The annual Careers Convention, at which over 80 professions and companies are represented including many alumni, and the programme of career-specific seminars which run throughout the year provide further opportunities. The fortnightly Careers and Higher Education Bulletin provides advice on university applications and the opportunities available in and beyond school to develop their own particular interests. In addition, as Director of Careers and Higher Education, Mr Dunscombe is always available for one-to-one consultations with both students and parents.