THE END OF YEAR 11 the start of a new journey
After you finish your GCSEs you have a number of different options. Once you have decided where you would like to continue your studies, you can then think about what kind of qualification you would like to go for.
You will normally need at least five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 to progress to many post-16 courses, although entry requirements vary by course and college. After GCSEs, you can choose from several routes, depending on your interests and career plans:
• A levels – academic, subject-based qualifications where you choose 3- 4 subjects to study and a common route to university.
The following sections of this guide will explain each of these pathways in more detail to help you decide what is right for you.
We will also explore the university application process, and highlight the important deadlines you need to adhere to. In order to help you make your decision about which pathway best suits you we will also look at how much a Higher Education course will cost, give you tips on how to choose the best place to work or study and look at different subjects and which careers these might lead on to.
• T Levels – two-year technical qualifications combining classroom learning with a 45 day industry placement.
• Vocational and technical qualifications – including some BTEC and other Level 3 qualifications.
• Apprenticeships – combine paid employment with training and study, allowing you to earn while gaining practical, job-specific skills. Apprenticeships are available from Level 2 through to degree level.
Your choice will depend on whether you want to continue with academic study after post-16, gain technical skills, enter employment or combine work with further study.
Useful website https:// nationalcareers. service. gov. uk / careers-advice / career-choices-at-16
My advice to any Year 11 student who’ s a bit unsure would be not to close any doors yet. Explore all of your options, because you don’ t really know what you want to do, and that’ s fine. I didn’ t know what I wanted to do in Year 11, so I explored everything, I looked at colleges, universities, and apprenticeships, and that’ s what helped me narrow it down. Don’ t panic, because it’ s normal. hannah, health psychology
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