To Infinity, Choices and Beyond! Parent Guide | Page 5

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 4 Levels of education and qualification paths 6
YEAR 9 – CHOOSING GCSEs 8
Make the most of the help on offer
9
What subjects can your child choose from ?
10
Alternatives and backups
10
How many GCSEs should they do ?
11
Vocational qualifications
12
YEAR 10 – BUILDING LIFE EXPERIENCE 14
Work experience
15
Volunteering
16
Part-time work
16
Other activities and interests
17
Additional career or academic support
17
YEAR 11 – GCSEs AND POST-16 DECISIONS 18
A Levels
19
AS Levels
20
International Baccalaureate
22
BTECs
22
T Levels
24
NVQs
24
Apprenticeships
25
Researching study options
26
Financial support
27
GSCE Revision and Exams
28
Results day
31
YEAR 13 – APPLICATIONS AND EXAMS 40
Applying to university
41
Making a plan B
41
Exams
41
Results day
42
GOING TO UNIVERSITY 44
Why go ?
45
Choosing what to study and where
47
The university application process
54
Paying for university
62
Choosing accommodation
66
Preparing to go
68
ALTERNATIVES TO UNIVERSITY 78
Higher and degree apprenticeships
79
Finding a job
81
Effective applications
81
The recruitment process
82
Taking a gap year
83
AFTER HIGHER EDUCATION 86
Choosing a career path
87
Graduate schemes
87
Internships
87
Getting a job
88
Self-employment
88
Further qualifications
89
YEAR 12 – SETTLING IN TO SIXTH FORM / COLLEGE AND RESEARCHING NEXT STEPS 34
Studying at a new level
35
Exploring post-18 options
36
Extracurricular activities
38
Higher education decisions
38