Choosing the right place to study 16 +

You will give yourself the best chances of doing well if you study in the right place for you and your interests.

• If you like academic subjects, and think you might want to go to university in the future – you should generally go to sixth form and study for A-levels or Highers. This means that you will spend most of your week from Monday to Friday studying.

• If you want to learn a practical skill, or start training for a particular job – you should generally go to a further education college and study for vocational qualifications. You will generally have fewer hours of formal education than in sixth form, and can combine your studies with paid work.

• If you want to start a proper job, you can become an apprentice. You will be employed by a company but will also work towards a qualification in a college – normally one day a week. You can find some very useful information about apprenticeships on this website – designed to help parents but well worth a look.

• If you’re not sure – look carefully at all the options in your area and talk to as many people as you can. Your school and/or local council will normally provide careers advice. You can also contact a careers adviser on the Government-backed National Careers Service and/or search for courses through UCAS or the National Careers Service.

You might also be interested in our pages on:

Making the most of education – looking beyond 18