Universities and Careers
The majority of pupils leave Charterhouse to study at the most competitive and prestigious universities in the UK, the US and Europe.
Our alumni progress into a wide range of careers and professions, all around the globe. From banking to publishing, architect to NGO policy maker, their journeys all began at Charterhouse, and their lifelong connection provides an invaluable peer advisory network.
Old Carthusians go on to do the most wonderful things, both at university and beyond, working in a vast number of sectors and industries.
Our 2024 leavers have taken up places at top universities in the UK, the US, and around the world, with over 80% of pupils gaining a place at their firm choice. Nearly 85% of UK applicants are attending Russell Group universities, with Durham, UCL, and King's College London among the most popular, alongside places at Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College London.
The most popular degree courses among the cohort are business, biochemistry, finance, maths, and computer science. Our IBDP pupils performed outstandingly well, achieving an average score just under 38 points. Several have taken up places at LSE, Edinburgh, and King's, as well as prestigious international universities in North America and beyond.
Our team of specialist advisors provides guidance and support to help every pupil make a successful application and find the right fit – both academically and socially.
Pupils follow a full programme throughout the Sixth Form to help them submit the most competitive application. This includes an introduction to UCAS, researching courses and universities using Unifrog, and writing a strong personal statement.
We have a comprehensive framework to assist pupils with medical applications, including dentistry and veterinary science. A dedicated teacher supports pupils with preparation for the UCAT and interview training, while the pupil-led Medical Society provides considerable mutual peer support.
BELINDA SARTORI, HEAD OF FUTURES
Specialist Advice & Support
We have dedicated specialists for US and other overseas universities, as well as Oxbridge and medical applications. Pupils applying to the most competitive UK universities receive guidance on additional reading, activities, and work experience to strengthen their applications. We also support those applying for degree apprenticeships, which are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to university.
Each year, around 45 Carthusians apply to universities in the USA and Canada, either exclusively or alongside applications to the UK. Recent North American destinations have included UC Berkeley, Boston College, Cornell, Harvard, Columbia, NYU, USC, UPenn, Wellesley College, Tulane, Yale, Parsons, SCAD, University of Chicago, McGill, and the Universities of Toronto and British Columbia.
Support for all aspects of a US application is provided by our dedicated International University Advisor.
The Futures team shares regular newsletters and webinars that provide information on trends impacting the university admissions landscape, and consequently, the offers and post-result decisions our pupils receive each year.
We have a number of pupils who are exploring degree apprenticeships this year. A degree apprenticeship is essentially a job, so recruitment is led by the employer. The Futures department offers support for applications, including researching opportunities, writing CVs and cover letters, and in the summer we are running a mock assessment centre for our First Year Specialist (Year 12) pupils.
ANNA DAWKINS, FUTURES ADVISOR
