Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Event overview
Overview
What University & What Career Live is the leading event for young people considering their next steps after school or college. Taking place at Olympia, London, this event is a must-attend for students in Year 11 to 13, parents, teachers, and careers advisors.
Visitors can engage with leading universities and employers, receive one-on-one advice from careers experts, and attend inspiring talks. What University & What Career takes place in London, United Kingdom.
TL;DR
- 1Dates and Venue: What University & What Career Live takes place on 13 & 14 November 2026 at Olympia, London.
- 2Scale and Focus: This event connects students with top universities and employers, focusing on school leaver options.
- 3Organiser: Hosted by Venture Marketing Group, more details available at whatcareerlive.co.uk.
- 4Buyer Authority: Aimed at students in Years 11-13, parents, teachers, and careers advisors.
- 5Entry: Free tickets available for all attendees, book online to secure your spot.
Why visit
One free visit is built around the question Year 10-13 students actually ask: what comes next after GCSEs and A-levels. Free tickets available for all attendees, book online to secure your spot.
Why exhibit
Exhibiting at What University & What Career Live offers unparalleled access to a motivated audience of students and their families. Hosted by Venture Marketing Group, more details available at whatcareerlive.co.uk. Aimed at students in Years 11-13, parents, teachers, and careers advisors.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Year 10 and Year 11 students choosing GCSE options and post-16 routes
Year 12 and Year 13 students comparing university courses, apprenticeships and gap-year plans
Parents and carers helping a young person weigh university against apprenticeship routes
Teachers, heads of sixth form and school careers advisers coordinating a group visit
Careers leaders from schools and colleges building a year-group enrichment trip
16-24 year olds looking for apprenticeships, traineeships or vocational training
School groups travelling with a booked coach and consent forms
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Universities and higher education institutes recruiting for undergraduate, foundation and integrated master's courses
Further education colleges promoting A-level, BTEC and T Level provision
Employers offering degree, higher and intermediate apprenticeships in engineering, digital, healthcare, finance and the public sector
Independent training providers running traineeships and vocational programmes
Careers services and third-sector organisations advising on applications, bursaries and student finance
Armed forces and public-sector recruitment teams presenting school leaver entry routes
Student support services covering accommodation, wellbeing and disability support
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Undergraduate degree and foundation year courses
Degree and higher apprenticeship vacancies
Intermediate and advanced apprenticeships at 16 and 18
T Level and BTEC vocational study routes
A-level subject and sixth form choices
UCAS application, personal statement and Clearing support
Student finance, bursaries and scholarship guidance
Careers profiling, psychometric and skills assessment tools
Work experience, traineeship and internship programmes
Employer school leaver programmes and sponsored study
Accommodation, wellbeing and disability support services
Gap year, volunteering and study-abroad options
Location & Facilities
Venue
Olympia, London
London, United Kingdom
Facilities
Parking
Olympia, London in London typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: Olympia, London in London typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at Olympia, London for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Entry & tickets
Free registration
Who runs the show
Organisers
Venture Marketing Group
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
London, United Kingdom
Why it matters
On 2026-11-13 to 2027-02-27, What University & What Career in London covering University programs and courses, Apprenticeship schemes and vocational training, Career guidance and counseling services gives trade buyers a single calendar window to compare suppliers, validate specs on the stand, and book follow-ups before the next buying cycle - especially when your roadmap matches the published exhibitor profile.
Industry trends
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Plan your trip
Travel & logistics
Local currency · GBP
Arrival airports
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
London Heathrow
Closest major gateway to west London and the simplest arrival for Olympia: Piccadilly line to Barons Court or Earl's Court, then District line or a short bus ride. Allow extra time on weekday mornings
Approx. 12 mi / 19 km
to venue
Approx. 35-60 min by road; 30-45 min by Piccadilly line plus a change
by car
London Gatwick
Gatwick serves many low-cost European routes. Southern and Gatwick Express trains reach Victoria, then District line to Earl's Court or Kensington (Olympia)
Approx. 28 mi / 45 km
to venue
Approx. 60-90 min by road; approx. 50-60 min by train to Victoria plus Tube
by car
London Stansted
Stansted is the longest transfer of the London airports. The Stansted Express into Liverpool Street connects to the District line for Earl's Court and Kensington (Olympia)
Approx. 40 mi / 64 km
to venue
Approx. 75-100 min by road; approx. 60 min by Stansted Express to Liverpool Street plus Tube
by car
London Luton
Luton has no direct rail link to Kensington; take the shuttle or DART to Luton Airport Parkway, Thameslink to St Pancras, then the Piccadilly line westbound
Approx. 35 mi / 56 km
to venue
Approx. 60-90 min by road; approx. 40 min by Thameslink to St Pancras plus Tube
by car
London City
London City is the most convenient gateway for Docklands and City hotels: DLR to Bank or Canning Town, then District line westbound towards Earl's Court
Approx. 11 mi / 18 km
to venue
Approx. 40-60 min by road; approx. 45 min by DLR and Tube
by car
London Southend
Southend is a small, quick airport on the Essex coast; Greater Anglia trains run into Liverpool Street, then take the District line to Earl's Court or Kensington (Olympia)
Approx. 42 mi / 68 km
to venue
Approx. 75-100 min by road; approx. 55 min by Greater Anglia to Liverpool Street plus Tube
by car
Hotel tiers
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
Hilton London Olympia
upscale
Kensington High Street, adjacent to Olympia LondonApproximate November band for a full-service hotel within walking distance of the halls; best for exhibitor teams and advisers who need to be on-site early. Confirm rates and cancellation terms.
Ibis London Earl's Court
midscale
Earl's Court / Lillie RoadApproximate band for a midscale chain near Earl's Court, one Tube stop or roughly a 20-minute walk from Olympia; useful for school staff travelling without a large group.
Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington
midscale
Scarsdale Place, KensingtonApproximate band for a large Kensington hotel that can take group room blocks; walkable to Kensington High Street and a short bus ride to Olympia.
Premier Inn London Tolworth
budget
Tolworth / south-west London3-star Premier Inn with paid breakfast, free Wi-Fi, parking, air conditioning, bar and restaurant. Approximate band; a coach-friendly base but further from Kensington.
a&o London Docklands Riverside
budget
DocklandsHostel-style hotel listed well below usual rates in the hotel capture; paid breakfast and parking, free Wi-Fi, airport shuttle, pet-friendly. Approximate band, check room type for group stays.
Ramada London North M1
budget
M1 corridor, north London3-star hotel with paid breakfast and parking, free Wi-Fi, fitness centre, bar and restaurant. Approximate band; practical only if you are arriving by car or coach from the north.
Holiday Inn Express London - Croydon by IHG
midscale
Croydon, south London3-star IHG property with free breakfast and free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, pet-friendly, parking, bar and restaurant. Approximate band; rail from East Croydon to Clapham Junction connects to Kensington (Olympia).
Premier Inn London Croydon Town Centre
budget
Croydon town centre, south London3-star Premier Inn with paid breakfast and parking, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, bar and restaurant. Approximate band; well placed for Thameslink and Southern connections into central London.
Local transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
tube
Estimated costApprox. GBP 5.60-6.70 single, peak or off-peak pay as you go
Best forLondon Heathrow (LHR) to Kensington (Olympia) via Piccadilly line and Earl's Court
Cheapest reliable airport transfer: Piccadilly line to Barons Court or Earl's Court, then District line or a short bus ride to Hammersmith Road. Contactless or Oyster only, no cash fares on TfL services.
rail
Estimated costApprox. GBP 25-32 Heathrow Express single plus approx. GBP 2.80-3.80 Tube single
Best forLondon Heathrow (LHR) to Paddington via Heathrow Express, then Tube to Kensington (Olympia)
Fastest option for a tight schedule but the most expensive per person; better value for a small team than for a school group.
rail
Estimated costApprox. GBP 20-23 rail single to Victoria plus approx. GBP 2.80 Tube single
Best forLondon Gatwick (LGW) to Olympia, London
Southern and Gatwick Express both run to Victoria; allow 50-60 min for the rail leg before the Tube connection.
rail
Estimated costApprox. GBP 23-27 single plus approx. GBP 2.80-3.80 Tube single
Best forLondon Stansted (STN) to Olympia, London
Longest of the airport transfers; book the train in advance for cheaper fares on some departures.
rail
Estimated costApprox. GBP 15-22 single plus approx. GBP 3.50 Tube single
Best forLondon Luton (LTN) to Olympia, London
Use the DART shuttle or airport bus to Luton Airport Parkway, then Thameslink to St Pancras and the Piccadilly line westbound.
rail
Estimated costApprox. GBP 4.50-6.00 single, pay as you go
Best forLondon City (LCY) to Olympia, London
Shortest airport-to-west-London hop: DLR to Bank or Canning Town, then District line towards Earl's Court.
rail
Estimated costApprox. GBP 16-22 single plus approx. GBP 2.80 Tube single
Best forLondon Southend (SEN) to Olympia, London
Used mainly by low-cost European services; allow around an hour for the rail leg before the Tube connection.
round_trip
Estimated costApprox. GBP 55-80 per car, 35-60 min depending on traffic
Best forLondon Heathrow (LHR) to Olympia, London
Reasonable when splitting between three or four people or carrying display material; set-down is on Hammersmith Road rather than at the door.
Weather
November in London is cool and changeable: expect daytime highs of roughly 9-12 C, nights of 4-7 C and rain on about half the days. Queue areas outside Olympia are partly unsheltered and daylight fades before 17:00 late in the month, so bring a waterproof layer and comfortable shoes.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
UK prepaid SIM and eSIM plans from EE, Vodafone, Three and O2 are sold at airport arrivals and on most high streets; visitors using a non-UK SIM should check roaming charges before relying on mobile data. Wi-Fi coverage and capacity at Olympia varies by hall, so confirm access with the venue and keep an offline copy of your stand shortlist and schedule.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Dress and tone
The floor is informal: students often arrive in school uniform and exhibitors usually wear branded polo shirts or smart casual. Advisers meeting heads of sixth form should keep business casual for scheduled meetings.
Queues and timing
School groups arrive in waves from mid-morning, so the busiest window at Olympia is usually 10:30-13:00. Arriving at opening gives uncluttered access to the most popular university and apprenticeship stands.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected in London cafes and pubs. Many restaurants add a discretionary service charge of around 12.5% to the bill, so check before adding more.
Safeguarding and photography
Many attendees are under 18. Ask before photographing students, and schools should confirm their own photo-consent policy with the organiser before filming on the show floor.
Accessibility
Olympia's halls have step-free entrances and lifts. Contact the organiser ahead of the visit if a group member needs a quieter room, BSL interpretation or accessible seating at talks.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Destination: LHR
Heathrow (LHR) usually wins on total journey time to west London, so compare it first before chasing a cheaper Gatwick, Stansted or Luton fare. Add the 30-60 minute rail transfer into Zone 1 when comparing low-cost options, and book an outbound flight that lands before early afternoon if you plan to visit Olympia the same day. Leave buffer time at UK border control on peak arrival mornings and keep the booking reference on your phone.
Transport
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Primary gateways: London Heathrow (LHR): Approx. 35-60 min by road; 30-45 min by Piccadilly line plus a change; London Gatwick (LGW): Approx. 60-90 min by road; approx. 50-60 min by train to Victoria plus Tube; London Stansted (STN): Approx. 75-100 min by road; approx. 60 min by Stansted Express to Liverpool Street plus Tube; London Luton (LTN): Approx. 60-90 min by road; approx. 40 min by Thameslink to St Pancras plus Tube. Allow road or rail time to Olympia, London; on-site parking is usually
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Olympia, London: Kensington High Street, adjacent to Olympia London: Hilton London Olympia; Earl's Court / Lillie Road: Ibis London Earl's Court; Scarsdale Place, Kensington: Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington.
Ride-hail: Uber, Bolt and FREENOW are the main app-based operators across London, and black-cab apps such as Gett are useful for pre-booked pick-ups. Set-down and pick-up around Olympia happens on Hammersmith Road, which gets congested when school coaches unload; for groups of four or more compare a pre-booked minicab against the Tube on price.
Public transit: Kensington (Olympia) London Overground station sits next to the venue on the Clapham Junction to Willesden Junction line, while District line trains call at Kensington (Olympia) on a limited basis and Earl's Court is the nearest fully served interchange. Buses along Hammersmith Road and Kensington High Street connect to Hammersmith, Shepherd's Bush and central London; pay by contactless or Oyster, as cash is not accepted and the bus fare is a flat rate with a Hopper transfer for a second bus within 60 minutes.
Parking: Olympia London has limited on-site parking and pre-booking is advised; surrounding streets are mostly residents' bays or red route, and coaches usually set down on Hammersmith Road. The venue sits outside the central Congestion Charge zone but inside the London-wide Ultra Low Emission Zone, so check your vehicle and pay any charge due before the trip. Confirm current car park access and daily rates with the venue before driving.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: November
Temperature: Approx. 9-12 C daytime highs and 4-7 C overnight in London during November; these are climatological averages, so check the forecast 48 hours before travel.
Seasonality: November is one of London's wetter months, with rain on roughly half the days and short daylight hours towards the end of the month. Queue areas outside Olympia are partly unsheltered, so a waterproof layer matters more than an umbrella in a crowded hall entrance.
Packing: Bring layers, a waterproof jacket with a hood, comfortable shoes for walking between halls and stations, a portable charger and a refillable water bottle. School groups often wear uniform, so add a warm layer under it and a tote for prospectuses and course guides.
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at What University & What Career usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
T-1
Confirm opening days and times for the November 2026 edition on whatcareerlive.co.uk/schedule before booking travel
T-2
Register free tickets online for every student and adult in the group
T-3
Check who holds parental consent forms and the school's off-site trip risk assessment
T-4
Download the exhibitor list and mark 8-12 stands: three university courses, two apprenticeship employers and one college route
T-5
Write three questions per stand covering entry requirements, application deadlines and what the course or job is actually like day to day
T-6
Check TfL for planned engineering works affecting the District line and London Overground on your travel date
T-7
Book accommodation with free cancellation if travelling from outside London
T-8
Set up contactless payment on a phone or prepay an Oyster card for Zone 1-2 travel
T-9
Pack a refillable water bottle, a charged phone and a tote for prospectuses
T-10
Confirm the meeting point and return time for the coach or train with every student
T-11
Check the London forecast 48 hours out and add a waterproof layer
T-12
Photograph the shortlist at the end of the day and log application deadlines in a shared document
Sample visitor itinerary
Route-optimised day
Day 1 · morning
Registration and hall orientation at Olympia, London
Day 2 · core sessions
Supplier meetings and product demos
Day 3 · wrap-up
Final negotiations and follow-up
Networking spots
2What University & What Career registration concourse
Olympia, London
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
Olympia, London
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Costs & budget
Build your working budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
Estimated budget
Live estimate
- Hotel × 2 nights£190.00
- Per diem × 2£150.00
Estimated total£340.00
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Decision
Visit, exhibit, or skip?
Should you go?
Use this quick check to decide whether What University & What Career fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
For What University & What Career, what is your primary role on the show floor?
Decision matrix
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus and target suppliers align with the official exhibitor profile.
Best for
Buyers, engineers, and delegates sourcing University programs and courses and Apprenticeship schemes and vocational traini solutions and benchmarking suppliers at What University & What Career in London.
Min. budget
$450.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration, hotels, and travel.
Risks
Session times and ticket tiers may change - confirm the official agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a defined lead-generation or distributor recruitment goal for this market.
Best for
Brands and manufacturers launching University programs and courses and Apprenticeship schemes and vocational traini products who need qualified meetings with the event's trade audience.
Min. budget
$2,200.00
Timeline
3-6 months for stand booking, freight, staffing, and pre-show marketing.
Risks
Booth pricing and corner premiums vary by hall - confirm with the organiser sales team.
skip
Audience, geography, or commercial goals do not justify travel and stand costs this cycle.
Best for
Teams with weak category fit, budget constraints, or overlapping commitments during the London show week.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
Skipping may mean missing buyer meetings if competitors exhibit or attend the same week.
Gallery
Photos
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
Glossary
- Apprenticeship
- A paid job with structured training where the apprentice works for an employer and studies towards a qualification, usually on day release or block release.
- Degree apprenticeship
- A higher-level apprenticeship that combines paid employment with part-time study towards a bachelor's or master's degree, with tuition typically funded by the employer and government.
- Higher apprenticeship
- An apprenticeship at level 4 or above, above A-level standard but below a full degree, often in engineering, digital, healthcare or business roles.
- T Level
- A two-year technical qualification for 16-18 year olds in England, combining classroom learning with an industry placement of at least 45 days.
- BTEC
- A vocational qualification offered by schools and colleges, assessed mainly through coursework and practical projects rather than final exams.
- A-level
- The subject-based qualification usually taken at 16-18 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and the main route into undergraduate degrees.
- UCAS
- The UK central admissions service through which applicants apply to undergraduate university and college courses.
- UCAS Tariff points
- A points scale that converts grades from A-levels, BTECs and other qualifications into a comparable score used in some university entry requirements.
- Clearing
- The UCAS service that runs after results day, matching applicants without a confirmed place to courses that still have vacancies.
- School leaver programme
- A structured trainee or study programme offered by an employer to students leaving school at 16 or 18, often as an alternative to a full-time degree.
- Foundation degree
- A two-year higher education qualification combining academic study with work-based learning, often topped up to a full bachelor's degree later.
- Gap year
- A planned year away from study between school and university, used for work, travel, volunteering or resits, with deferred entry agreed through UCAS.
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Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
- What University What Career Live
- education fair London 2026
- career options UK
- university open days
- apprenticeship opportunities
- school leaver events
- What University & What Career 2026
- What University & What Career London 2026
- What University 2026
- What University London 2026
2 more alternate names hidden
Digital business cards for the show floor
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.