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    UCAS Destinations Programme

    Discover the UCAS Destinations programme designed to help schools and colleges raise aspirations, improve student outcomes, and enable strategic post-18 progression planning.

    What is the UCAS Destinations Programme?

    The UCAS Destinations Programme equips schools and colleges with a two-year Careers Discovery Framework designed to raise aspirations, improve student outcomes, and drive confident, strategic post-18 progression. 

    Developed by careers education specialists John Paley, Lis McGuire, and Liane Hambly, and aligned to Gatsby Benchmarks, the Careers Discovery Framework guides students through a progressive journey of discovery – building knowledge, confidence, and decision-making skills. 

    Alongside the framework, you’ll join a vibrant adviser community and access expert-led professional development. Benefit from online drop-in clinics, tailored delivery support and CPD training, plus opportunities to share best practice, collaborate with peers, and strengthen your careers provision with confidence and clarity.

    Join the Destinations Programme

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    Access an evolving two-year Careers Discovery Framework

    • A structured two-year Careers Discovery Framework for flexible delivery. 
    • Free resources to support students aged 16-18. 
    • Six themed curriculum packs. 
    • Built-in alignment to Gatsby Benchmarks  
    • Practical tools to aid discovery.   
    • Accredited CPD training to support ongoing professional development. 
    • Short on-demand training courses to support framework delivery. 
    • Access to an exclusive adviser community.

    Careers Discovery Framework

    Across two years, you'll guide students through a clear progression plan using our Careers Discovery Framework. 

    Each themed pack helps students explore their skills, strengths, and interests while building clear progression pathways from discovery to application, through the UCAS Hub. 

    The six themes are aligned to the academic year so that each stage meets students where they are on their journey. With a strong focus on reflection, students are encouraged to regularly consider their interests, strengths, decisions, experiences, and aspirations.

    1. Foundations for the Future

    Helping students understand their purpose. Students will reflect on skills and experiences, and identify where they want to be by the end of their studies.

    2. Making Connections

    Building networks and exploring the world beyond school/college. Students will learn how networks, experiences, and conversations support exploration.

    3. Beyond Level 3

    Discovering pathways and exploring possibilities. Students will evaluate post-18 pathways and create a decision-making strategy to support their next steps.

    4. Ready to Apply

    Moving forward with confidence. Students will create an application timeline and learn to apply the Context-Action-Result model to demonstrate strengths.

    5. Your Next Steps

    Strengthening plans and reinforcing decisions. Students will reflect on mindset and readiness, and identify techniques for challenging limiting thinking.

    6. Planning for Every Outcome

    Getting ready for results day and beyond. Students will prepare for possible results-day outcomes, and identify support, resources, and actions to move forward confidently.
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    Support student aspirations

    With the UCAS Destinations Programme, you can:

    • Deliver a consistent, structured journey for every student 
    • Build confidence in decision-making 
    • Improve engagement with post-18 options
    • Help strengthen progression outcomes 

    All while reducing the time needed to plan.

    Join the Destinations Programme

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    Created by trusted experts

    Developed in collaboration with leading careers experts Liane Hambly, John Paley, and Lis McGuire, this step-change in career education gives students the clarity and direction to make confident choices about next steps.  

    It’s a programme built on expertise, and designed to support you every step of the way – resulting in improved outcomes for all. 

    Join the Destinations Programme

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    Join our community for ongoing support and insight

    When you join the Destinations Programme, you'll also gain access to a national adviser community and ongoing professional development opportunities, including:

    • Join online drop-in careers clinics with programme creators
    • Access delivery support and CPD to build confidence
    • Share best practice and learn from peers
    • Use data-informed content to support effective student guidance
    • Connect with UCAS experts in a dedicated community space 

     

    Join the Destinations Programme

    Sign up to the Destinations Programme

    Looking to deliver a clear, structured journey for your students’ next steps? 

    Sign up to access a ready-to-use plan and resources curated by experienced careers advisers, benefit from accredited training and events, and join a supportive careers community working towards the same goal. 
     

    UK advisers: If you would like to receive our free mailing packs including posters, career resources, toolkits and lesson plans, please supply a mailing address. It also helps us to see where you are based so we can ensure you have local updates where applicable.

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