Young people in England are required by law to stay in education or training until aged 18. There are several pathways for 16 to 18-year olds to choose from, depending on what you’re thinking about doing next.

If you are ready to begin a level 3 programme you could take A-levels or a T-level. Or you could take up an apprenticeship, a traineeship, or select part-time learning whilst working or volunteering.

Study full-time

Schools, colleges and training providers offer a range of subjects and courses which you can study full-time. You normally need to have at least five GCSE passes at grades 9 – 4. Pupils apply for places and will be offered provisional places that will be based on outcomes of their school performance.

T-Levels

T-levels were introduced in 2020 and are being rolled out across the country over the next couple of years. More subjects are becoming available every year.

A T-level is a two-year course that focuses on technical skills. One T-level is equivalent to three A-levels.

T-level students spend approximately 80% of their time at college or school, learning the knowledge and skills that employers need, and 20% of their time on an industry placement.

After T-levels, young people can either choose to continue into employment (including opting for an apprenticeship) or select a higher education course aimed at the career they want. This could be a higher technical course or a degree.

A-levels

A-levels are a two-year course of study.

Most students study three A-levels, but you can also combine them with other qualifications.

After A-levels, many young people go onto higher education at college and/or university to do degrees and higher technical qualifications, while others begin working at age 18.

Other level 3 qualifications

As well as A-levels and T-levels there are other specific qualifications at level 3 that can prepare you for particular job roles or further study. These level 3 qualifications include vocational qualifications such as BTEC’s.

Level 1 and 2 qualifications

Additional GCSEs or other level 1 and 2 qualifications might be the right next step to help you build your pathway to further study or the workplace

Apprenticeships, Traineeships and Supported Internships

Apprenticeships combine study with training in a paid job.

Apprentices spend most of their time at work, with at least 20% of their time spent learning on the job.

Apprenticeships are offered at all levels, but most 16-year-olds would enter an apprenticeship at Level 2 or 3. Level 2 is equivalent to GCSEs and Level 3 is equivalent to A-levels and T-levels.

Apprenticeships are offered by employers, who advertise when they have vacancies. Vacancies are also advertised locally, for example through colleges, or on national websites.

Traineeships prepare you ready for work or for doing an apprenticeship. They last from six weeks to six months and provide essential work preparation training, literacy and numeracy skills and work experience to get an apprenticeship or other job.

Supported Internships supported internships are a structured, work-based study programme for 16 to 24-year-olds with SEND, who have an education, health and care (EHC) plan. The core aim of a supported internship study programme is a substantial work placement, facilitated by the support of an expert job coach. Supported interns are enrolled and supported by a learning provider, for example, a school or college, but spend most of their learning time – typically around 70% – in a workplace. The internships provide the opportunity for young people to achieve sustained, paid employment by equipping them with the skills they need for work, through learning in the workplace

Armed forces apprenticeships

There are around 20,000 apprentices on a programme in the armed forces at any one time, ranging from engineering and construction to hospitality and animal care, with new schemes recently developed such as digital information. Having a career devoted to serving your country is incredibly rewarding. Employees are known for their courage, commitment and discipline – three qualities that set them up for a long and successful career, whether they choose to stay in the armed forces or apply their skills elsewhere. You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to travel and build a diverse skill set – all whilst bonding with a tight-knit group of colleagues that will become friends for life.

And that’s not mentioning all the employee perks you can get, like FREE accommodation!

Whether you want to join the Army, RAF or Royal Navy, you can do so with an apprenticeship. The Ministry of Defence is the largest provider of apprenticeships in the UK offering over 20,000 different schemes. So you’re bound to find something that floats your battleship

What happens if I don’t achieve a grade 4 in English and Maths?

If you achieve a grade 4 (previously Grade C) or above in English and Maths GCSE, this opens up the full range of pathway options available from 16+. However, many young people do not achieve these grades at the first attempt.

Don’t be too anxious if this applies to you. It’s not unusual to repeat either or both of these qualifications. In fact, because these two GCSEs are such an important foundation for most people’s further study or employment, government funds all young people to continue studying these subjects until they achieve grade 4 or until the age of 18. This could be at college, or wherever you have chosen to train or study next – you should speak to your chosen training provider or college about re-sitting your English and / or Maths as soon as you receive your results – school can help you with this on results day.