About post-16 options
All young people in the UK are able to access some form of post-16 education or training. They can:
- study full-time in a school sixth form, at a college or with a training provider
- take an apprenticeship or traineeship
- work or volunteer while studying or training part-time
Qualifications
There’s a range of academic and vocational post-16 pathways and lots of courses and qualifications to choose from. Some will be familiar — like A levels, Highers, or NVQs — but others may be completely new.
Apprenticeships and traineeships
For some students this is the ideal next step and there’s a lot to choose from. For those not quite ready for an apprenticeship or work, there are new traineeships. There's also the option to work and study part-time.
Study programmes
- All students, in the UK, going into post-16 education or training will be offered a study programme by their school or college — whether they're doing academic or vocational study.
- Supported internships are study programmes for young people aged 16 — 24 with learning difficulties or impairments who want to get a job and need extra support to do this.
Here's information to help you
Schools and colleges in the UK provide careers information and guidance. For further research, try:
- England – National Careers Service
- Scotland – Careers Services
- Wales – Careers Wales
- Northern Ireland – NI Direct Careers
There have been some changes in provisions for students who have learning difficulties or impairments and how it works.