Progression

A significant goal of our programme is to produce professional rugby players. However, there are a number of routes our students can once they leave our programme.

Professional & Semi-professional Rugby Many of our graduates have progressed into professional or semi-professional rugby, a number of which have been awarded contracts with Saracens or other Premiership clubs. Jack Singleton, Nick Auterac and Joel Kpoku are among our alumni, along with others who now play in the higher tiers of the English national leagues. University A large number of students will progress to university on completion of the course, with Durham, Exeter, Loughborough, Hertfordshire and Nottingham Trent being examples. Students progressing from the BTEC Sport programme tend to progress to a sport-related course at university such as Sports Coaching, Sports Management or Sport and Exercise Science. However, studying a BTEC in Sport does not necessarily restrict students to studying sport at university. In the past students have gone on to study subjects as diverse as Construction Management, Primary School Education and even Music Technology. University rugby has had a resurgence in recent years, and 2016/17 saw the introduction of the BUCS National Premier League Competition. A number of players are beginning to emerge from university rugby and progress to teams playing in the Premiership and Championship. We also have contacts with scholarship agents who work specifically with rugby players wishing to attend a university in the US on a rugby scholarship.

Conor Wharton

A Levels in Psychology, Sociology and Economics

“Oaklands has provided a professional work and training environment me and has been flexible enough to allow me to progress not only in my studies and aspirations to go to university, but to play and represent both Sweden and Ireland at International level in the space of only 2 years. On leaving Oaklands I spent the summer training with Pro12 Champions Connaught and will be starting university in Leeds in September”

Employment & Further Education Students will be supported to find employment through tutorials, covering topics such as job applications, writing a CV and interview techniques. The programme as a whole will greatly develop employability skills such as discipline, organization, and social skills, significantly enhancing a student’s chances of progressing their careers. A number of students do enter employment direct from college, or will progress to further training; personal training and construction trade qualifications/apprenticeships being the most popular routes. Gap Year/Travel A popular option for students is to take a gap year before deciding upon a career path or whether to head to university. Some students head to Australia or New Zealand to combine traveling with the experience of playing rugby in a different country.