Routes

Whatever qualifications you are studying for, you have a number of different routes to choose from when you finish your course. It is important to fully explore each one. Don’t just opt for what you’re expected to do or what others are doing.

Your course ...

  • AS/A2 Levels
  • Applied or Vocational A levels
  • BTEC National Diploma/Certificate
  • International Baccalaureate
  • Advanced Diploma

What it could lead to ...

  • Get a job with planned training
    Advanced Apprenticeships (NVQ Level 3/4)
    Company Traineeships (NVQs or equivalent)
  • Self-employment
    Work for yourself or as part of a co-operative
  • Further Education
    Do a preliminary course in subjects such as art and design or dance, or perhaps resit your A Levels
  • Higher Education
    Degree, Diploma or foundation courses
  • Year out
    Do paid or voluntary work or travel before higher education or starting your career

To make the best choices ...

  • know all the routes available to you – remember, there’s usually more than one route to get you to where you want to be.
  • know yourself well – take an honest look at yourself. Identify your abilities, skills, interests and what motivates you and see how they match up with the route you’re considering.
  • don’t put all your eggs in one basket – it’s easy to be caught out if you haven’t prepared a back-up plan in case your first choice doesn’t work out – remember that you can apply for more than one route at a time.
  • give yourself plenty of time – make sure you start planning early. A hurried decision is unlikely to be the best one.

be well informed – you’ll need to know what information there is, where to find it and be able to talk it through with someone.