If you decide to stay in full-time education, you could study specific subjects, a more practical and knowledge-based course or more technical or vocational studies.
Some careers may require specific qualifications, so it’s best to research the option you're interested in and where it can lead.
A-Levels
You can do A-Levels at a sixth form college, further education college or a University Technical College.
There are lots of choices of Colleges and Sixth Forms that will offer a range of subjects to choose from.
Vocational Training Qualifications (VTQ)
VTQs are practical qualifications designed to give you the skills and experience you need for a certain job. They might be for you if you have a strong interest in working in a particular industry.
Types of VTQ qualifications
There are a few different types and levels of VTQs, including:
- BTEC diplomas: level 1 to 7 qualifications
- Cambridge Nationals: level 1 and 2 qualifications
- Cambridge Technicals: level 2 and 3 qualifications
Subjects you can take
- There are over 2,000 different subjects available across the different VTQs.
- Each subject focuses on a specific job or a broad employment area, such as childcare, engineering or IT
Entry requirements for VTQs
To start a VTQ, you’ll need to:
- be 16 or over
- live in England
- not already be in full time education
The grades you’ll need to have will depend on the level and type of course you’re applying for.
To find a course, click on the following link:
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/find-a-course/searchcourse
T-Levels
A T Level takes 2 years and gives you a mix of learning in the classroom and a minimum 9 week placement with an employer. This means you’ll learn what a real career is like while you study. You can do T Levels at a further education college
Subjects you can take
There are many different T Level subjects available now. More subjects are coming in the next few years.
You can choose from subjects in the following areas:
- agriculture, environment and animal care
- business and administration
- construction, engineering and manufacturing
- digital, creative and design
- education and early years
- health and science
- legal, finance and accounting
Entry requirements for T Levels
- To start a T Level, you’ll need to be 16 to 19 years old and live in England.
- Schools and colleges set their own entry requirements, so you need to check their websites to find out what GCSE grades you need.
You’ll get a level 3 qualification from your T Level.
A T Level is also worth UCAS points which you use to apply to university or another type of higher education.