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So what do I do once I’ve finished my GCSEs? To be honest that is a question only you can answer but we can give you some pointers that will help you make your mind up.Firstly the government wants 50% of all 18 year olds to go into higher education but just because it’s what the government wants doesn’t mean it’s the right thing for you. You need to think about what is best for you. You may find that you want to work with your hands rather than in an office and that a more practical option may be better for you. If that’s the case why not check out our jobs page for more information. Equally you might want to stay on and get your A levels but then find a job. Going to Uni is not the be all and end all of life many people do very well without ever going whilst others get brilliant degrees and still end up with a boring job. |
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Are you thinking of going on the university? If you are then you will probably be thinking of staying on either at school, sixth form college or an FE college like city college to do your AS and A2s. Depending on which setting you choose you will be faced with a number of options as to which subjects you take and to what level. Some of the subjects on offer will be familiar to you but others will be completely new like psychology, sociology, economics or media studies. Making your choice can be very daunting so be sure to take advice. One of the best things to do is to chat to students a year above you and ask them about the subject, the teachers, the amount of work involved and see if this fits with what you want to do. Be sure to attend the open evenings that the various schools and colleges in your area put on so that you can see if you are going to enjoy working in the sixth form you have chosen. Nothing’s worse than finding yourself in an unpleasant atmosphere.Don’t limit yourself to looking at the subjects you will be taking make sure to look at the social side. Is there a drama club, sports teams, music, debating society. Can you get involved in the Duke of Edinburgh or Millennium Volunteer schemes? All of this adds to your educational experience and helps you become the more rounded person that admissions tutors and employers are looking for. You will need to be careful if you’re selecting some of the minority subjects as the schools and colleges will not be able to run these courses if there are not enough people wanting to take them. For more information about going to University and what it can do for you click here for courses etc contact UCAS |
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What if I don’t want to go to Uni? Well you don’t have to but before going out to work there a whole range of vocational options being offered by schools but more especially by the colleges check their websites for up to date info City College, West Anglia, Great Yarmouth College, East Norfolk Sixth Form College, Paston College, Easton College, Norwich School of Art. Don’t worry if you change your mind because many of the vocational qualifications can be used in the same way as A levels if you decide to apply for a higher education place. |
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I don’t want to stay on what about me? Well if you don’t want to stay on you have the option of getting a “proper” job or a training course leading to a skilled job. |
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What do you mean by a “proper” job? This could be a job where you have no or very little training and there are unlikely to be any prospects of advancement in the firm. |
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What about these training courses? If you’re between 16 and 24 you could try to get on one of the modern apprenticeship schemes where you will be able to learn, work and probably most important of all earn. These of these apprenticeships last two or three years depending on the level you are working to and at the end you will have a qualification in your chosen field enabling you to be a skilled worker with the added earning potential that brings. If you do the advanced scheme your NVQ level three will be the equivalent of two A levels. |
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But what if I can’t find a “proper job” and I don’t want to do one of these apprenticeships? As a 16 year old you’ll will find it very difficult to get benefits unless there are special circumstances. But there is the e2e scheme which pays £40 per week plus travelling which will help you move from education to employment through a range of options. |
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Want more info? Student Finances 0800 587 8500Work based learning 0 8000 150 600 or Contact us at youth@askcab.co.uk |
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Disclaimer, Target Audience, Jurisdiction Last updated & checked: 02/05/2007