Education
If you want to carry on studying to get some qualifications, there is plenty of choice. A range of qualifications is available, both academic and more practical (vocational).
You can also choose where you’d like to study. You might decide you want a change, start somewhere new, or you’d prefer to stay where you are, already knowing the school and the teachers. It's important to remember that you can apply to more than one college, 6th form or 6th form college. You are not committed to take up that place until you enrol after you have received your GCSE results. Visit as many different institutions before you apply so that you can make the most informed choice for you.
Where to go?
What to study?
After GCSEs there are three main pathways to choose from and making the decision between the different pathways needs careful thought.
What level of qualification should I be looking at?
The chart below will explain what level of qualification you should be researching, depending on your predicted grades:
You can also choose where you’d like to study. You might decide you want a change, start somewhere new, or you’d prefer to stay where you are, already knowing the school and the teachers. It's important to remember that you can apply to more than one college, 6th form or 6th form college. You are not committed to take up that place until you enrol after you have received your GCSE results. Visit as many different institutions before you apply so that you can make the most informed choice for you.
Where to go?
- A school sixth form will have students of all ages on the premises. You may have been there since Year 7 or 9 yourself, although it’s usually possible to join in Year 12 just for the sixth form.
- A sixth form college will have just students aged 16 to 18/19.
- A college is open to students 16 to - no limit! These are usually much bigger than schools or sixth form colleges and offer a much more independent approach to your learning.
What to study?
After GCSEs there are three main pathways to choose from and making the decision between the different pathways needs careful thought.
- General academic e.g. A-Levels (offered at schools and colleges).
- Vocationally-related: this could be through a 'vocational subject' related to a broad employment area (such as business, engineering, IT, health and social care) or through a 'vocational course' that leads to specific jobs (such as hairdressing, accounting, professional cookery or plumbing).
- Apprenticeships (learning on the job but also with a learning provider).
What level of qualification should I be looking at?
The chart below will explain what level of qualification you should be researching, depending on your predicted grades:
Level 3 – A Levels or Vocational Qualifications
Vocational Subjects - These qualifications develop practical skills and knowledge related to an employment area.
You can combine Vocational subjects at Level 3 with A Levels.
What are vocational - BTEC Extended Diploma = 3 A Levels
subjects worth? BTEC Diploma = 2 A Levels
BTEC Subsidiary Diploma = 1 A Level
BTEC Subsidiary Certificate = ½ A Level
How long do they take? - 1 or 2 years
Assessment - Written and practical exams
Entry requirements - 4-5 GCSE’s at grades 9-4 (to include English and Mathematics)
Progression - University/Apprenticeship/Employment/Gap Year
A Levels - Academic qualifications that are valued by employers and university. You would normally choose 3 subjects. You can combine A Levels with Vocational subjects. Offered in a wide variety of subjects. You may want to study a GCSE subject in more depth or a new subject such as Psychology or Government & Politics.
How long do they take? - 2 Years
Assessment - Exams at the end of year 2
Entry requirements - 5 GCSE’s at grades 9 - 5 (to include English and Mathematics) plus specific subject requirements.
Progression - University/Apprenticeships/Employment/Gap Year
Other Level 3 qualifications:
International Baccalaureate IB Diploma
This is a broad qualification where you can take 6 subjects and complete a Core Curriculum consisting of the Theory of Knowledge, an Extended Essay and a programme of Creativity, Activity and Service.
Extended Project Qualification
This is often offered alongside other qualifications and is worth half an A level. It can be described as an independent research project. What makes it so different is that you decide what to study. It can be about anything!
Level 2
Vocational courses only
How long do they take? - 1 year
Assessment - Written and practical exams.
Entry requirements - 4-5 GCSE’s at grade 3 (to include English and Mathematics)
Progression - As long as you pass at this level you can progress onto a Level 3 course or an apprenticeship.
Level 1
Vocational courses only
How long do they take? - 1 year
Assessment - Written and practical exams.
Entry requirements - 4-5 GCSE’s at grade 2 (to include English and Mathematics)
Progression - As long as you pass at this level you can progress onto a Level 2 course or an apprenticeship.
Entry Level
Entry level courses have been designed for learners who have not yet achieved the grades for entry onto a vocational programme, those unsure of what they want to do and would like to experience some 'tasters', those that have barriers to learning or have been out of education for a period of time, as well as those with Special Educational Needs or complex Learning Difficulties and or Disabilities.
How long do they take? - Please speak to FE Colleges as these are holistic programmes developed around the learner.
Entry requirements - No specific requirements – interview at college.
Progression - GCSEs, Key Skills, Skills for Life, NVQ’s or BTEC Introductory or Level 1 BTEC Awards, Certificates or Diplomas. They can also lead to work-based learning, like an apprenticeship, or straight to a job.
National Vocational Qualifications NVQs
An apprenticeship is a great way to learn on the job, building up knowledge and skills, gaining qualifications and earning money at the same time.
Vocational Subjects - These qualifications develop practical skills and knowledge related to an employment area.
You can combine Vocational subjects at Level 3 with A Levels.
What are vocational - BTEC Extended Diploma = 3 A Levels
subjects worth? BTEC Diploma = 2 A Levels
BTEC Subsidiary Diploma = 1 A Level
BTEC Subsidiary Certificate = ½ A Level
How long do they take? - 1 or 2 years
Assessment - Written and practical exams
Entry requirements - 4-5 GCSE’s at grades 9-4 (to include English and Mathematics)
Progression - University/Apprenticeship/Employment/Gap Year
A Levels - Academic qualifications that are valued by employers and university. You would normally choose 3 subjects. You can combine A Levels with Vocational subjects. Offered in a wide variety of subjects. You may want to study a GCSE subject in more depth or a new subject such as Psychology or Government & Politics.
How long do they take? - 2 Years
Assessment - Exams at the end of year 2
Entry requirements - 5 GCSE’s at grades 9 - 5 (to include English and Mathematics) plus specific subject requirements.
Progression - University/Apprenticeships/Employment/Gap Year
Other Level 3 qualifications:
International Baccalaureate IB Diploma
This is a broad qualification where you can take 6 subjects and complete a Core Curriculum consisting of the Theory of Knowledge, an Extended Essay and a programme of Creativity, Activity and Service.
Extended Project Qualification
This is often offered alongside other qualifications and is worth half an A level. It can be described as an independent research project. What makes it so different is that you decide what to study. It can be about anything!
Level 2
Vocational courses only
How long do they take? - 1 year
Assessment - Written and practical exams.
Entry requirements - 4-5 GCSE’s at grade 3 (to include English and Mathematics)
Progression - As long as you pass at this level you can progress onto a Level 3 course or an apprenticeship.
Level 1
Vocational courses only
How long do they take? - 1 year
Assessment - Written and practical exams.
Entry requirements - 4-5 GCSE’s at grade 2 (to include English and Mathematics)
Progression - As long as you pass at this level you can progress onto a Level 2 course or an apprenticeship.
Entry Level
Entry level courses have been designed for learners who have not yet achieved the grades for entry onto a vocational programme, those unsure of what they want to do and would like to experience some 'tasters', those that have barriers to learning or have been out of education for a period of time, as well as those with Special Educational Needs or complex Learning Difficulties and or Disabilities.
How long do they take? - Please speak to FE Colleges as these are holistic programmes developed around the learner.
Entry requirements - No specific requirements – interview at college.
Progression - GCSEs, Key Skills, Skills for Life, NVQ’s or BTEC Introductory or Level 1 BTEC Awards, Certificates or Diplomas. They can also lead to work-based learning, like an apprenticeship, or straight to a job.
National Vocational Qualifications NVQs
An apprenticeship is a great way to learn on the job, building up knowledge and skills, gaining qualifications and earning money at the same time.