University Counsellor

Reports to: Director of Higher Education and Careers
Key Areas of Responsibility: The University Counsellor will lead the school’s higher education guidance, supporting students and families in making informed, aspirational and realistic choices about future pathways. They will deliver a structured progression programme, provide individual counselling, and oversee global university applications, references and documentation. The role involves building strong partnerships with universities, promoting enrichment opportunities, maintaining accurate data, and ensuring equitable access for all students. The University Counsellor will also contribute to parent engagement, staff CPD and whole-school initiatives, while modelling professionalism, integrity and student-centred practice.

Student Guidance, Teaching and Learning

• Promote a culture of informed, aspirational, and realistic university choices across the school community (students, staff, parents).
• Design and deliver a structured progression programme (assemblies, workshops, tutor sessions) from Y10–Y13 covering pathways, admissions systems, timelines and key milestones.
• Provide 1:1 counselling for students on course and country fit, entry requirements, portfolio/testing needs and scholarships.
• Support subject selection and academic planning (IGCSE → IBDP, HL/SL choices/BTEC) to align with future pathways.
• Teach application skills: personal statements/essays, CVs, activity lists, interview prep (including Oxbridge-style, MMIs for medicine/dentistry), and ethical authorship.
• Advise on standardised tests and language proficiency (e.g., SAT/ACT where applicable, IELTS/TOEFL), including timelines and preparation options.
• Work with subject specialist colleagues to support applications requiring extra admissions requirements. E.g. art & design portfolios, auditions, etc.
• Meet with parents and students, where appropriate, to discuss individual pathways

Applications and Data Management

• Project-manage all school-supported applications (e.g., UCAS, Common App, UC, OUAC/Canadian portals, European, Australian, and other systems).
• Prepare and upload official documents: transcripts, counsellor letters, school profile, predicted grades, mid-year and final reports.
• Coordinate teacher references and predicted grades with DIrector of HIgher Education and Careers, Heads of Department/IBDP Coordinator; ensure accuracy, consistency and deadlines are met.
• Track student progress from shortlist to outcomes; maintain destination data, offers, acceptances, deferrals and enrolments.
• Maintain and optimise the school’s university guidance platform (Unifrog), ensuring high-quality data and reporting.
• Ensure data protection and confidentiality in line with school policy and relevant regulations.

Partnerships, Outreach and Enrichment

• Build and sustain relationships with university admissions offices globally; host visiting reps, organise fairs, panels and webinars.
• Curate and promote summer schools, work experience, internships, MOOCs, and enrichment opportunities aligned to student interests.
• Develop an alumni network for mentoring, Q&A panels and destination spotlights; track alumni stories to inform future cohorts.
• Support with hosting university fairs, school counsellor events and information sessions with university representatives.
• Support with the organisation, preparation, delivery and feedback of work experience

Community Engagement and Leadership

• Participate in parent engagement: information evenings, coffee mornings, guidance newsletters, and individual family meetings.
• Collaborate closely with the Director of Higher Education and Careers, IBDP Coordinator, TOK/CAS/EE leads, Heads of House, SEND/EAL teams to ensure equitable access and appropriate adjustments.
• Support CPD delivery for staff on writing effective references, predicted grades, and supporting students’ progression planning.
• Contribute to whole-school events and initiatives (careers week, options evenings, transition programmes).
• Resource and Information Management
• Develop and maintain a digital guidance hub (country guides, timelines, scholarship databases, testing information, sample essays/interview resources).
• Keep curated resources current, relevant and inclusive, reflecting diverse pathways (university, foundation, apprenticeships, gap year).

Safeguarding, Wellbeing and Inclusion

• Provide a supportive, student-centred service; recognise when to refer to pastoral/safeguarding teams or external professionals.
• Ensure access arrangements and extenuating circumstances are communicated appropriately in applications.
• Champion equity, diversity and inclusion in guidance, challenging bias and widening participation
• Professional Standards and Development
• Stay current with admissions trends and policy changes across regions and awarding bodies.
• Engage with professional networks (e.g., IACAC/CIS or similar), conferences and ongoing CPD
• Uphold the school’s values and code of conduct, modelling professionalism, integrity and confidentiality.

Additional Duties

• Run or support extra-curricular or service learning activities.
• Participate in curriculum residential trips as part of the BST Outdoors programme.
• Work on campus from at least mid-August each year in preparation for the school year.
• Undertake any reasonable duties as requested by the Head of Secondary or Senior Leadership Team.

Please note that overseas relocation benefits are not availabe for this role.

How to Apply

• Please see attached for the full job description, and kindly submit an application via the link provided in the post.
• Closing date for applications: September 14th 2025
• The British School in Tokyo welcomes applications from suitably skilled applicants from all backgrounds.
• This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check or International Child Protection Check, and provision of satisfactory background checks for any previous countries of residence.

Please note that overseas relocation benefits are not available for this role.

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