What we do

The Higher Education and Careers Team at West Island School works with students and parents to guide, support and advise students in making optimistic but realistic choices for their pathways in further education and life beyond school.

Every care is taken to ensure that students make a sensible and informed decision with the help of higher education counselling and parental involvement.  Guidance takes into account aspirations, interests and abilities to achieve the 'best fit' for the individual. 

We provide a comprehensive counselling programme rolled out by year group but also offer individual support and guidance to students and parents as needed.

We work closely with Post 16 tutors who also play a crucial role in guiding individual students in their group.  We also collaborate with the Pre-16 Learning for Life Team rolling out a programme of continuous whole person development.  We aim to empower students to make the choices which will lead each to a personal pathway and where students learn to foster skills, knowledge and attitudes for a fulfilling life.

Students who have individual needs and may need extra support in terms of finding unusual or alternative pathways in countries less often applied to, or in securing places at the most competitive universities, are given tailored guidance.  We organise and host events specific to supporting our applied learners in exploring progression pathways.
You should find all the necessary information you will need for your tertiary education search here. 

Please keep an eye out on our 'University Visits' page so you don't miss the chance to talk to university representatives or experience a taster lecture.  You will be able to find out information on how to set up alerts and reminders so you never miss an event!

On our 'Resources' page, you'll find many excellent websites to help you with your university search as well as links to information on additional admissions tests, visas, scholarships, college essays and personal statements and much more.

We understand that Year 12 and 13 students may want to utilise their summers with visits and programmes at various university campuses at aspiring universities.  As such, we are constantly updating our 'External Events and Summer Programmes' page, which includes details of various courses, camps and sessions taking place both here in Hong Kong and overseas.

Do check out our 'News & Articles' page for some interesting and insightful opinion pieces by key commentators in the Higher Education field, as well as keeping up to date with news and guidance from West Island School.

Careers guidance throughout the years

Year 10

Year 11
  • Learning for Life lessons and assembly times that focus on career opportunities and the world of work.
  • Careers Assessment: students take a short psychometric questionnaire which gauges interests, attitudes and motivations, generating career and education suggestions, personalised to them.  They are introduced to a range of web links and video resources to help them further explore future pathways.

Year 12

  • Students attend the British Council Universities Roadshow at WIS with a chance to talk to renowned universities in the UK.
  • Students are invited to a 1 to 1 interview with a member of the careers team to discuss and review their HE/FE plans.
  • In January, Y12s attend the ESF’s Higher Education Fair which hosts over 150 institutions worldwide.
  • In Y12 there are two evenings for parents and students. The first is dedicated to university planning and strategies; the second outlines the procedures for application to institutions in Australia and New Zealand, Canada, Hong Kong, the UK and the US.
  • Those students who wish to apply to Oxbridge and Ivy League are offered additional guidance and preparation.
  • Regular personal statement and college essay workshops take place throughout Term 2 and 3.
  • Students are encouraged to speak to the many university representatives, industry stakeholders and WIS alumni that visit WIS to help prepare them for their applications and university life  Please see University Visits page.
  • Students are given detailed guidance in selecting IB/ID options.
  • Every student is given a 1 to 1 interview with a member of the careers team before they make their choices.
  • Students attend the British Council Universities Roadshow at WIS with a chance to talk to renowned universities in the UK.
  • Students have the opportunity to participate in the optional PSAT test in preparation for applications to the US.
  • Students have the opportunity to take a free ACT-SAT diagnostic test at WIS provided by an external course provider.
  • Students are welcome to attend visits from industry speakers and university representatives who can answer questions regarding entry requirements for UK, US, Australian, Canadian and Hong Kong universities, and other destinations. Please see University Visits page.
  • Any students who feel they need further guidance are encouraged to make an appointment with Careers.

Year 13

  • At the start of the year, Y13s take part in a day dedicated to university applications and the year ahead.  They are offered the chance to chat to alumni about their experiences of student life as well as being introduced to stress-reduction and well-being techniques to aid them in the year ahead.
  • Students are offered help with resume writing and interview techniques.
  • Students receive guidance on personal statements, college essays and university and college choices.
  • We manage the application process to ensure applications are made in a timely manner.
  • Sessions are run on how to accept and decline offers, finding alternative options and the next steps.
  • Members of the Careers team are available for post-result counselling over the summer.
We work towards helping each individual student select courses that excite them and secure places where they will achieve their potential.