This week, students and parents at The British School of Brussels (BSB) took another step towards life beyond BSB, as representatives from eight leading Canadian universities visited campus to share insights and opportunities. The event began with a presentation on Higher Education in Canada in the Brel Theatre, followed by a lively university fair in Rubens Hall featuring Bishop’s, Concordia, McGill, McMaster, the University of Ottawa, Queen’s, the University of Toronto, and York. The event offered students a valuable chance to explore international study pathways and begin shaping their future academic and career goals.
At BSB, preparing students for life beyond our campus isn’t just a destination – it’s a journey woven into every step of their education. Whether they’re aiming for world-class universities, planning a career launchpad, considering an apprenticeship, or embarking on a year of adventure, BSB’s Higher Education and BSB Futures team is dedicated to opening doors and igniting possibility.
The specialist team behind this mission – Head of Higher Education Mark Andrews, University Advisers Rosanna Morison and Fiona Macaulay, BSB Futures Lead Joanne Craig, and Francophone Adviser Elisabeth Caillaud – chart ambitious, personalised pathways for every student from Year 10 through Year 13.
BSB’s approach to future-readiness starts early. In Year 10, students dive into Unifrog’s dynamic platforms, exploring personal interests, building key skills, and discovering potential worlds of study and work. Experiential learning comes alive in the annual Interview Challenge, where every student crafts a professional CV and faces a real interview panel; a priceless, confidence-boosting preparation for the real world.
In Year 11, the journey deepens with Morrisby Profile psychometric assessments and a renewed focus on Unifrog’s university research tools, allowing students to compare courses and destinations from the UK and Europe to North America and beyond. One-on-one guidance links subject choices to future ambitions, while masterclasses demystify global university application processes, including expert-led US admissions sessions.
From Year 12 onwards, students benefit from intensive, one-to-one support, connecting regularly with a dedicated Adviser who stays with them through every twist and turn of their application journey. Whether the goal is a university place, a creative portfolio, a gap year, or entry into the workforce, support is flexible, expert, and tailored.
For Francophone students, specialist guidance is on hand for French, Belgian, Swiss and Canadian admissions – ensuring every BSB talent finds the right stage.
Throughout the school year, a rolling calendar of university fairs, expert panels, and careers talks gives BSB students unrivalled access to over 100 leading institutions and industry voices. Events span everything from UK and European universities fairs, an Oxbridge Information Evening, a World Class Study in London session and a Canada University Night. There are also a sequence of online Information Panels featuring UK, US, Irish, Spanish and Italian universities. External events that BSB families access include Brussels College Night organised by EducationUSA and a Netherlands webinar hosted by the Dutch Universities Consortium (DUC) ensure preparation reaches truly global heights.
Behind the scenes, BSB’s team builds connections with professionals, alumni, and parents, creating networking opportunities and real-world insights for today’s students and tomorrow’s leaders. Mock interview evenings, workplace panels, and bespoke sessions on LinkedIn profiles and networking skills ensure graduates leave BSB ready to thrive wherever they go.
At the heart of BSB’s holistic approach sits the BSB Futures careers programme. Led by Joanne Craig, BSB Futures enriches students with career talks, workplace inspiration, and hands-on encounters – connecting theory with life’s realities. Each lunchtime event is co-created through student surveys, ensuring speakers and topics truly resonate. Recent themes have ranged from entrepreneurship and media to engineering and social impact, with guest speakers hailing from the rich ranks of BSB alumni, parents, and the wider Brussels professional community.
To prepare every student, BSB Futures delivers workshops on essential professional skills – CV writing, networking, and negotiation – while one-to-one introductions with mentors and young professionals broaden horizons and boost confidence. The BSB Futures Captain, a key Post 16 student leadership position, anchors these events, interviews inspirational figures, and shares insights in the BSB Insider magazine.
The school’s vision is to grow a robust network: collaborating with organizations like AmCham and BritCham to launch initiatives such as a future Job Trade Fair; partnering with businesses for internships and work placements; and leveraging the support of alumni and parent networks. As our database of external partners grows, so too do the possibilities for every student.
The impact of BSB’s Higher Education and Futures programme is profound – and proudly evident. From the careful tracking and reporting of leavers’ destinations to the success stories emerging from universities and employers across the globe, it’s clear: BSB students don’t just step into the future, they stride forward with resilience, curiosity, and a toolkit for success.
At BSB, futures are not just imagined. They’re inspired, developed, and confidently pursued.
Interested in joining the BSB community? Please contact our Admissions team for more details.