Understand your Post-16 options
From apprenticeships, to finding a job and going to college or sixth form, different pathways and qualifications suit different people.
But the good news is, there are many options available to pick from. Finding the one that suits you can help you make the best choices for your future. This page looks at some of the things you can do next.
Qualifications and study levels
Before we look at the different pathways, let's talk about qualifications and study levels. At school and college, you usually call qualifications by their name, like ‘GCSE’ and 'A Level'. The same qualifications are referred to by their level in college, university and employment, such as 'Level 3'.
Your GCSEs are Level 2 qualifications. Typically, you'll move onto Level 3 once you leave Year 11. Although you may need to complete an extra Level 2 qualification first, for example if you choose to study a subject you’ve never done before.
Types of Level 3 qualifications
The following qualifications are study options available at Level 3:
- A Levels – study subjects and related subjects you took for GCSE at a higher level
- T Levels – partner with employers to get skills for the workplace
- Level 3 vocational qualifications such as BTECs – get practical skills for a particular area of employment
- Advanced apprenticeships – combine work and study
A Levels
Studying A Levels at Level 3 is a good choice if you want to study a range of subjects and prefer exams to ongoing assessments. You'll study 3 subjects equally and complete some coursework, but most of your assessments will be exams at the end of Year 13.
T Levels
T Levels are a great choice if you like a mixture of classroom teaching and hands-on, practical learning. If you choose to study T Levels, you'll study 1 subject and undertake industry placements during your course. You'll spend 20% of your time in the workplace and the rest of your time in college.
Vocational studies
Vocational courses are great if you learn best by doing things and prefer coursework to exams. You'll study 1 subject area and gain work experience as part of your course. You'll be assessed by regular practical assessments, coursework, and some exams on most qualifications.
Apprenticeships
An advanced apprenticeship is a good choice if you’d like to move away from the classroom and start to experience the world of work. You’ll gain practical on-the-job experience, spending 20% of your time in college or with a training provider. You’ll be assessed on completing tasks in the workplace, and take part in a final assessment at the end of your course.
How to pick the best option for you
- Check the entry requirements for any future degree courses or jobs you'd like to do
- Ask yourself how you learn best? Then look at which pathway is likely to offer you the best chance of success
- Consider whether your subject choices link with your interests and future plans
- Think back on your experiences at school and what you've learnt about yourself to see which option is a good fit for you
Want to find out more about level 3 choices and what you can do at 16? Take a look at or , or explore work-based learning options with .
Hear from our students about their journey to uni
When I was growing up, I wanted to be either an astronaut or a doctor.
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I wanted to be a pathologist.
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A radiologist or a pharmacist.
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A lawyer or an accountant.
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PE teacher, or athlete and anything in between.
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I really wanted to be an actress.
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I wanted to be a writer, a paramedic, a police officer, a beautician.
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I didn't know what I wanted to be.
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At school.
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My favourite subject was biology.
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ICT.
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Chemistry.
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Maths and history.
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Music.
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Drama.
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Product design.
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At school my favourite subject was history and then as I studied politics at A level that also became one of my favourite subjects.
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I now study a BA honours in journalism.
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At uni, I now study animation.
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I study sports, health and exercise science.
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Business and systems management.
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Biomedical science.
0:59
Architecture.
1:01
I now study psychology.
1:05
My favourite thing about university is getting to do this whole experience with my closest friends.
1:10
Not only the fact that I find my course really interesting, but I've also joined the Lacrosse Society, which was the new sport I've never played before.
1:17
And I've also made lots of friends through that society, which is just really exciting.
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The ability to get to meet new people, come out of my comfort zone and be able to have a bit more independence.
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Since studying, I found out what career I want to do.
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I've had help with work experience and career choices and CVs.
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My favourite thing about being at uni is probably the freedom and the amount of opportunities you get to better yourself.
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The next step after uni is to gain more experience in marketing and PR and hopefully eventually set up my own business.
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My next step after uni is hopefully to get on to a Master's.
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Go and work in an NHS lab as a trainee biomedical scientist.
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Working for the NHS as an anaesthetic practitioner.
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Doing my PGCE teacher training for secondary level.
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Training in a hospital before becoming a fully licensed pharmacist.
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Hopefully go on and become an engineering officer in the armed forces.
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My dream is to become a music features writer.
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And one day work for a company where I can make a real difference.
