Survey data suggests more than a third of A-level students are missing out on careers support despite clear confidence benefits
As another cohort of students prepare to receive their results and make decisions about what comes next, research highlights both the value of careers support and the challenge of ensuring young people engage with it.
Prospects Luminate's Early Careers Survey 2026 found that nearly two-thirds (65%) of A-level respondents used their school or college careers service during 2025. However, more than a third (35%) did not access this support, despite the potential benefits careers guidance can offer.
Usage was higher among those planning to continue into further study (70%), while students considering apprenticeships were less likely to engage, with 58% using their career service. More research is needed to understand the factors influencing these different patterns of engagement.
Careers advice linked to greater confidence and certainty
The benefits of careers support are clearly reflected in respondents' attitudes towards their futures careers.
Career certainty was higher among students who used their careers service. Nearly three-quarters (73%) said they were very or fairly certain about their career plans, compared with 63% of those who had not engaged with the service.
A similar pattern emerges when looking at career prospects. Nearly two thirds (63%) of those who used their careers service felt positive or very positive about their career prospects, compared 47% of those not using them.
When asked about their biggest challenges over the last 12 months, 40% said 'choosing the right career path' was a challenge for them. This highlights the important role careers services can play in helping young people explore their options, build confidence in their decisions and make informed choices about their future, particularly during results season.
Where students turn for careers advice depends on their plans
Young people don't appear to rely on a single source for careers advice. Instead, the survey shows students draw on a mix of support from careers professionals, teachers, family members, employers and online sources.
In 2025 where did you actively seek careers advice from?,Percentage of A-level respondents Teachers and lecturers,64 Family,56 Careers websites,54 Careers professionals e.g. careers adviser life coach,41 Social media or forums,37 Friends,36 AI tools e.g. ChatGPT Copilot,26 Industry professionals,19 Printed guides magazines or leaflets,9 Work colleagues,7 Podcasts,6 I did not actively seek careers advice in 2025,7
Students' future plans also appear to shape the sources of advice they use. While both groups use careers websites, family and careers professionals, those planning to continue into full-time or part-time study were more likely to speak to teachers/lecturers, while students considering apprenticeships looked more towards employers and industry professionals that could provide practical insights into specific careers.
| Source of careers advice | Percentage rating them as very or fairly helpful |
|---|---|
| Industry professionals | 94% |
| Careers websites | 89% |
| Teachers and lecturers | 88% |
| Careers professionals, e.g. careers adviser, life coach | 84% |
| AI tools, e.g. ChatGPT, Copilot | 83% |
| Family | 81% |
| Social media or forums | 79% |
| Printed guides, magazines or leaflets | 73% |
| Podcasts | 71% |
| Work colleagues | 69% |
| Friends | 66% |
When asked how helpful they were, industry professionals, careers websites, and teachers/lecturers emerged as the top three sources of careers advice. While friends and family can provide useful support, the findings suggest students place most value on advice from those with specialist industry expertise or direct knowledge of recruitment and the labour market. Yet relatively few students appear to be accessing this type of support. Only 19% of respondents had used industry professionals as a source of careers advice, despite 94% of users rating it as fairly or very helpful.
Why some students don't use careers services
Despite the benefits careers support can offer, more than a third of A-level respondents (35%) said they had not used their careers service in 2025.
Why didn't you use your university or college careers service in 2025?,Percentage of A-level respondents I'm focusing on my course right now,30 I didn't know there was a careers service,27 I'm not sure how it would help me,27 I didn't have time,17 I don't know how to access the careers service,17 I plan to use the service later when I'm applying for jobs,13 I feel confident managing my career plans without the service,13 I already have work experience,12 I don't think the service is relevant to my career goals,9 I couldn't get an appointment,4 I have a job lined up,2 Other ,4
The findings indicate that awareness remains a key challenge. More than a quarter of respondents (27%) said they did not know there was a careers service available to them, while an equal proportion were unsure how it could help them. Additionally, 17% did not know how to access the service. This suggests some students may benefit from a greater understanding of the support available at their institution.
Others indicated they planned to use it later or felt confident managing their career plans on their own. This suggests some students may see careers services as a resource only for those who are undecided. Yet careers guidance can be just as valuable for students who already have a plan, providing support with applications and interviews, as well as insights into the opportunities available to them.
Helping students understand the full range of careers support available could encourage engagement among those who feel confident about their plans.
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