Options after school or college: helping your child decide

Feb 23, 2022
4 min read

Updated: Jul 22

What your child chooses to do after sixth form (or college) is exciting but can be nerve-racking. There are lots of options available, and understanding the pros and cons of different choices can be confusing.

It’s not just about deciding whether to go to work or continue in further education, although that’s a good starting point. Important considerations include how long they want to continue studying, how they’ll finance living expenses and course fees, whether they want to study in a more academic or a more practical environment (such as studying while working), and whether they have a particular career pathway in mind.

Options after school or college: helping your child decide

Higher education

UK higher education offers a range of courses and qualifications, including BA or BSc degrees, foundation degrees and Higher National Diplomas. Most courses are taught in universities, but some are also offered by colleges or specialist providers such as conservatoires.

For more information on university and the UCAS application process, you may be interested in The Parents’ Guide to University.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships used to be associated with trade industries (such as electricians, mechanics or plumbers). Nowadays, they can be taken in a wide range of industry sectors and provide entry to all types of careers, including accountancy, banking, IT, law, management and television.

Relatively new to the apprenticeship suite are degree apprenticeships, offering an earn-while-you-learn route to BSc or BA status. In other words, the end qualification is the same as if your child had attended university full time; the difference is that they won’t have incurred any tuition-fee debt, and will finish their degree with robust, transferable workplace skills.

Taking an apprenticeship isn’t an easy option, and competition can be fierce. It takes organisation and dedication to balance work, where your child will be expected to contribute to the same standards as everyone else, with study. Holidays are far fewer than at college or university. However, if they have a more practical, work-related bias towards learning, this will suit them well, and they’ll gain valuable experience that strengthens their opportunities to find rewarding work when the apprenticeship is over.

Traineeships

Traineeships are a type of vocational training and can last from six weeks to six months. They’re a great way to prepare for apprenticeships (if your child doesn’t have the minimum entry requirements) or to get first-hand experience of what a job is like.

School leaver programmes

School leaver programmes offer opportunities to join the workplace straight after sixth form studies, and commence skills development and career progression through experience, as well as studying to obtain a nationally recognised qualification. Entry requirements vary from employer to employer.

Getting a job

The world of work can be an exciting option, and doesn’t necessarily rule out further study at a later date. If your child does plan to get a job after school or college, encourage them to think carefully about the kind of work they want to do and the reasons for doing it. Do they plan to start in an entry-level position and gradually work their way up as they gain more experience? Or do they want to start earning, and use this time to reflect on what they might like to do next?

Taking a gap year

Taking a year out after school can be beneficial, certainly in terms of the skills and experiences that can be developed, but your child will need to determine whether it’s the right choice for them. A gap year can be taken while entry to university is being deferred, once a place has been accepted (allowing a year between leaving school and starting university), or if university isn’t the next step at all.

What does a gap year involve?

Traditionally, this is a year spent travelling overseas, but it needn’t focus exclusively on that. Volunteering and work experience can also be incorporated, informing your child’s likes and dislikes and giving them valuable first-hand experience in a variety of areas they may not have had the chance to try. Gap years don’t have to be expensive, and if finances are tight, your child can self-fund their travels by getting a job first.

Is a gap year right for my child?

If your child is considering taking a year out after school, it’s important to spend some time together and identify what it is they want to achieve. Gap years can be an excellent choice for students wanting to gain new skills and experience, earn money, spend time deciding what career path to take, or have a break from work and study.

However, for some, a gap year can be distracting and, if not well planned, could prove somewhat directionless, which is unlikely to be beneficial. Before committing to a gap year, make sure your child has clear goals to make their time out a productive and fulfilling one.

Starting a business

Increasing numbers of students are choosing to set up their own business after leaving school or college, either full time or alongside work or study. There are plenty of resources and organisations that can help your child get started, including advice on how to access or apply for funding. Bodies such as The King’s Trust (formerly The Prince’s Trust) offer grants and mentoring to young people starting out.