What Are Your Choices At 16? A Levels, Vocational Qualifications Or Training?

Explore your study and training options aged 16+ when you finish GCSEs or their equivalents.

What are your options at 16?

You have lots of options open to you at the age of 16, although you still need to do some form of learning or training. Do you want to do an apprenticeship, study for A-levels (or their equivalents) or do a vocational qualification to get started in a career? One useful choice you can make at this stage is to research these different pathways and see what’s best for you. You can consider whether you want to stay where you are (if that school option is available) or study somewhere else, like a sixth form college.

Thinking about which A Levels to study

If you choose to do A-levels, ask yourself these three questions about any subject you’re thinking of doing:

1. Do you enjoy it?
2. Do you think you can do well in it?
3. Do you think it will help you with making future life and work choices in a direction you want to go in?

Thinking about study alternatives to A Levels

Tip: Did you know that there are options to suit how you learn, with T Levels, A Levels and technical qualifications for you to explore?