Smart Choices 2024
It is more important than ever to develop strategies that lay the foundations for a successful future career. Smart Choices events provide Year 12 students with the opportunity to learn how to identify, secure and analyse professional and academic experiences.
Participants will take part in a range of interactive activities which allow them to assess the benefits of the opportunities available to them, find out how to demonstrate commercial awareness to impress in interviews, and leave the event with an action plan.
98% of attendees at Smart Choices in 2023 rated the events as ‘outstanding’ or ‘good’
Smart Choices also provides attendees with more information about the Smart Start Week and Smart Applications programmes as well as support for the application process. Anyone wishing to apply for these programmes must attend a Smart Choices event.
“I found more clarity in what I wanted in terms of a career path, that being the skills I need such as commercial awareness. I also found it very helpful in establishing where I am with my choices for my career.”
Dates, times and locations
Please note that we have now completed all Smart Choices events for 2024.
Smart Choices 2024 will be running in person at four universities in cities across the UK - in Birmingham, Cambridge, Leeds and Nottingham. These in-person sessions will also give participants the chance to experience a higher education setting.
For those unable to travel to these in-person sessions, a number of online events will also be taking place on Zoom.
All Smart Choices events will be taking place in March 2024.
Participants only need to attend one of these events, and you will be able to select your preferred event on the registration form. You will then be provided with more information ahead of the event.
In-person Events:
Thursday 14 March 2024 - Birmingham - University College Birmingham - 09:00-13:30
Thursday 21 March 2024 - Cambridge - Anglia Ruskin University - 09:00-13:30
Monday 25 March 2024 - Leeds - Leeds Beckett University - 09:00-13:30
Thursday 28 March 2024 - Nottingham - Nottingham Trent University - 09:00-13:00
Online Events:
Tuesday 5 March 2024 - 16:30-18:30
Thursday 7 March 2024 - 17:00-19:00
Tuesday 12 March 2024 - 17:30-19:30
Saturday 16 March 2024 - 10:00-12:00
Wednesday 20 March 2024 - 17:00-19:00
Wednesday 27 March 2024 - 16:30-18:30
“I really liked the interactiveness of the whole session, I felt more engaged and was more confident to answer questions.”
Eligibility
In order to be eligible for the Smart Choices events, participants must meet a basic eligibility criteria. You can find out more about this here.
Please ensure that you have read the eligibility criteria before applying, to avoid disappointment.
“The unique interactive sessions really allowed for in depth insight into what is expected of students during interviews, which is so rarely covered in depth by other programmes.”
Event registration
Registration for Smart Choices 2024 is now closed. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
“Very useful information about commercial awareness and how to apply the skills from any extra curriculum/events outside or inside the school.”
If you have any questions about Smart Choices or the registration process, please email [email protected].
“I was able to get a better insight into the Smart Start programme and gain new information that has added onto my knowledge.”
