What’s Next After GCSEs? Here Are Your Options

Written by: Angela Yates

Reviewed by: Zoe Wade

Published

23 December 2024

Read time

10 minutes

Illustration of a thoughtful student with text "What's Next After GCSEs? Here Are Your Options" and question marks on a blue background.

Contents

Deciding what to do next after your GCSEs might seem a little overwhelming. You have so much to think about already with your current courses. And, with so many potential routes available, it can be difficult to see a clear path ahead.

Fortunately, there are several excellent options open to you. This guide will help you plot your route and decide your next steps, helping to ensure success as you embark on the next adventure in this exciting stage of your life.

What Options Are Available to You at Age 16?

1. A-Levels

A-Levels (or Advanced Levels) are Level 3 subject-based qualifications. They take two years to complete. They are the most popular choice for students after their GCSEs.

Unlike vocational courses, A-Levels don’t involve practical work placements. A-Levels are the perfect choice if you enjoy studying for exams and developing theoretical knowledge. They allow you to specialise in the subjects you enjoy most or those relevant to your future career.

If you're planning to go to university, A-Levels are often essential to help you meet the entry requirements for your chosen degree. For example, if you’d like to pursue a career in medicine, you should focus on subjects like biology, chemistry, and either maths or physics.

A-Levels are offered in sixth-form colleges or schools with sixth-forms. It’s a good idea to speak to your teachers or a careers advisor to ensure your choices align with your goals.

A-Levels are a great fit for you if you:

enjoy academic learning
are planning to go to university
want to keep your options open
have strong interests or career goals
thrive in a focused learning environment, such as a school

2. T-levels

T-Levels offer students a vocational alternative to A-Levels. These two-year courses focus on practical, industry-specific learning. They cover a range of fields such as health, digital technology, or construction.

T-Levels combine work placements with academic study. You’ll spend 80% of your time in the classroom. The rest is spent on work placements in your chosen industry. Here, you’ll gain valuable work experience and see the practical application of what you’ve learned.

T-Levels are equivalent to three A-Levels and earn UCAS points. So they’ll give you flexibility and choice whether your goal is starting work immediately or continuing to university.

T-Levels are a great fit for you if you:

prefer practical learning
have a career in mind
want to gain workplace experience early
seek options beyond academic studies

3. Vocational Technical Qualifications (VTQs)

Vocational Technical Qualifications (VTQs) include BTEC diplomas, Cambridge Nationals, and Cambridge Technicals. VTQs are industry-focused rather than subject-led. They cover a range of over 2000 subject options and can prepare you for specific careers in a wide range of sectors, from childcare to engineering.

VTQs, like T-Levels, are designed to equip you with practical skills and experience. They blend practical training with technical learning, making them ideal for anyone who prefers ongoing assessments rather than exam-based systems.

VTQs are widely recognised by employers and universities as alternatives to A-Levels. A range of levels of study are available - BTEC offers Level 1 to 7 qualifications, making them widely accessible. Discuss the best VTQ options for you with school staff or careers advisers.

VTQs are a great fit for you if you:

prefer practical learning to academic study
have a clear career or industry focus in mind
prefer continuous assessment to exams
seek flexible opportunities that leave you with options to enter work, further training, or higher education in the future

4. Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are paid positions within a company that allow students to gain hands-on industry experience while working toward a qualification. Apprenticeships often last 1–3 years. During that time, you’ll experience on-the-job learning in a real workplace setting. You’ll be guided by experienced professionals who’ll help you to gain practical experience.

As an apprentice, you’ll earn a salary and get holiday pay. You’ll spend around 80% of your time working, and the rest of your time on study related to your role. With thousands of apprenticeships available, you can use this route to enter industries as diverse as beauty, construction, and web technology.

Apprenticeships offer widely recognised qualifications valued by employers across industries. That makes them a great pathway to immediate career entry within the company or the industry. They can also lead to higher education or advanced training.

Apprenticeships are a great fit for you if you:

want to start working and earning wages immediately
prefer practical learning to traditional classroom study
have a clear career goal, as you can start building expertise right away
are seeking cost-effective education, because you’ll avoid traditional tuition fees

5. Supported Internships

Supported internships are unpaid work-based study programs designed for young people with learning difficulties or additional needs. They provide a supportive and tailored environment to help you transition from education to the workplace.

In supported internships, most of your learning happens in the workplace. This will allow you to gain practical experience and develop work skills. You’ll benefit from personalised support, guidance and advice from a qualified job coach to help you get the most from your experience.

Alongside your work experience, you’ll follow a study programme to help you gain relevant qualifications. You can then secure a paid job or go on to further training, such as apprenticeships.

Supported internships are a great fit for you if you:

have learning difficulties or disabilities and have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan
want a supportive environment with personalised guidance and coaching
want to continue building your confidence and independence
feel ready to enter the workplace and gain real-world experience
need flexible learning with a balance of workplace training and academic support to meet your individual needs

How to Choose the Best Option for You

1. Consider what you will enjoy studying further

As a teacher, I have shared many conversations with GCSE students considering their next steps. My key advice to them is always to follow their interests and play to their own strengths. No matter which pathway you take, success will require commitment and hard work. This will be far more enjoyable if you follow a subject you are passionate about.

Choose the option you’re excited to study next, even if it’s completely different from your friends’ choices. Share your thoughts with people you trust, such as your family and teachers.

2. Think about where you would like to study

Where you would like to study next is worth considering. You can remain in your current school where everything is familiar, including the staff and facilities. However, you may want to make a fresh start in the sixth form of another school.

Alternatively, you may opt to attend a college, where you’ll have a wider range of academic and vocational courses to choose from. With most students aged between 16 and 19, the atmosphere will be very different, but it may be less personal.

3. What do you want to do post-18?

As far as possible, think about what you’d like to do beyond this next stage. If you have a clear career goal, then you’re likely to benefit from following a training programme that will lead towards it. For example, if you want to be an engineer, an apprenticeship will get you onto that pathway immediately.

If you are unsure, you might opt for further academic study at this stage, choosing A-Levels to suit your strengths and leave your options open.

We asked employment and training expert Nicholas Brosnan, manager of Proactive Young People CIC, for his advice to students choosing their post-GCSE pathway. He said, "Take the time to explore what excites you, and don’t be afraid to try new things, even if you’re unsure where they’ll lead. Many Year 11 students feel pressured to have their future planned out, but it's okay to adjust course as you grow.

“Focus on building skills and experiences of work that align with what interests you most right now. Every step you take can open new opportunities down the line. Be proactive, whether through trying work experience, a new subject, volunteering, or exploring different career routes. Talk to teachers, career advisors, and family members to gain insights. And remember, the journey is just as important as the destination."

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the rules for 16-year-olds in the UK?

It is compulsory for young people to stay in education or training until the age of 18.

However, that doesn’t mean that you need to stay at the school you’ve attended until the age of 16. You can explore all the training and education options offered by your local training providers.

Can you go straight to university after GCSEs?

No. Universities generally need you to have achieved higher qualifications such as A-levels to consider you for degree courses.

Explore the options better suited to your age and experience, such as A-levels, vocational qualifications such as NVQs, or apprenticeships. These will give you the knowledge and skills to succeed in a university course.

What can I do without any GCSEs?

Most colleges in the UK offer alternative pathways to success for students.

So if you don’t pass your GCSEs, don’t panic. There may be entry-level courses available, which will provide a pathway into higher-level qualifications. Many vocational courses and apprenticeships are available to people without GCSEs. These course providers may consider other factors, such as relevant training, references, your work portfolio, and your performance at interview. These vary between colleges, so contact individual institutions to see what they’re looking for.

Can I go to sixth form without any GCSEs?

Sixth forms generally focus on providing A-level courses and will have GCSE entry requirements to ensure students are suited to their courses.

Students often embark on A-levels in subjects they have passed at GCSE, while at the same time preparing for resits in those GCSEs where they still need to achieve a pass grade. Find out the requirements for the sixth form you want to attend and speak to staff about the best options for you. If you haven’t achieved any GCSE pass grades, you may be better suited to more practical, skills-based courses as your next step.

Succeed After Your GCSEs with Save My Exams

The best way to open as many routes as possible after your GCSEs is to ace them! The more passes you get, the more options you’ll have for your next stage.

Use our GCSE revision notes, exam questions, flashcards and past papers to get you exam-ready for your GCSEs. And, if you’re curious about what you might be studying next, take a look at the extensive range of A-Level resources we offer to support students.

You can preview what you’ll be learning within each subject. That way, you can make decisions for your next step armed with all the information and support you need.

Explore our A-Level Resources