Options for your child
Discover the options
It’s important to start building up knowledge early so you’re aware of all the options available to your child from the age of 16. Whether your child is just discovering their favourite subjects at secondary school, getting ready to make their GCSE choices, or well on the way to completing compulsory education, the more informed you both are, and the more regularly you chat about their options, choices and progress, the easier big decisions at key milestones will be.
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About education levels
The government designates different ‘levels’ to education qualifications. This diagram highlights some of the most common qualifications undertaken from age 14+ up to Master’s degree level.
Levels are not linear, which means you don’t need to study a level 4 qualification after a level 3 qualification. Every young person’s journey, and the qualifications they choose, is different.
Levels do not reflect the size or duration of the qualification, but rather the knowledge, skill and competence expected. For example, a full level 3 programme could be three A-levels or one T-level.
Options at 16+
Students aged 16+ who are ready to begin level 3 training or education will typically choose one of the following study programmes.
Find out more about the options:
T-levels
T-levels are two-year courses where your child will spend 80% of their time in the classroom at a school or college and 20% of their time learning on-the-job. T-levels are designed with employers to prepare young people for the world of work. One T-level is equivalent to three A-levels.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships combine part-time study with training in a paid job. Your child will spend most of their time at work and at least 20% of their time ‘off-the-job’ studying, usually in a classroom setting at a college or with a training provider. From age 16, a young person will usually begin a level 2 or level 3 apprenticeship.
A-levels
Most students select three subjects to study at A-level, over a two-year period. However, your child could choose to combine A-levels with other qualifications or study more than three A-levels.
Other options
There are a range of other qualifications at levels 1-3, such as applied generals (Pearson’s BTECs is one brand which you may have heard of), that can be studied. Some may be large and a full-time programme, while others could be studied alongside one or two A-levels, for example.
Options at 16+
Students aged 16+ who are ready to begin level 3 training or education will typically choose one of the following study programmes.
Find out more about the options:
T-levels
T-levels are two-year courses where your child will spend 80% of their time in the classroom at a school or college and 20% of their time learning on-the-job. T-levels are designed with employers to prepare young people for the world of work. One T-level is equivalent to three A-levels.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships combine part-time study with training in a paid job. Your child will spend most of their time at work and at least 20% of their time ‘off-the-job’ studying, usually in a classroom setting at a college or with a training provider. From age 16, a young person will usually begin a level 2 or level 3 apprenticeship.
A-levels
Most students select three subjects to study at A-level, over a two-year period. However, your child could choose to combine A-levels with other qualifications or study more than three A-levels.
Other options
There are a range of other qualifications at levels 1-3, such as applied generals (Pearson’s BTECs is one brand which you may have heard of), that can be studied. Some may be large and a full-time programme, while others could be studied alongside one or two A-levels, for example.
Options from age 18
If your child decides to get a job, many employers offer training programmes and apprenticeships which will enable them to learn while they earn.
If their chosen career means they need to get certain qualifications first, or they want to continue studying, they will usually do this at an education provider such as a further education (FE) college or a university.
Find out more about the options:
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships from 18+ also combine study with training in a paid job. They are offered at different levels, depending on the nature of the job, starting at level 2 (GCSEs are level 2 qualifications for example), going up to Level 7 (equivalent to a master’s degree).
HTQs, higher certificates, diplomas and foundation degrees
These are higher qualifications (usually level 4 or 5) linked to a specific field that help young people build skills and progress within a chosen field or career.
Undergraduate degree
A chosen subject is usually studied over three or four years full-time at a university. Degrees in some subjects come with a placement year where students will experience work in their chosen field.
Master’s degree
Usually available to those who have completed an undergraduate degree who want to take their study to a more advanced level within their chosen subject.
Employment
Employment options available from age 18 will vary depending on where you live. To start exploring the options, you could have a conversation with your child’s school or college. They can advise on the best job prospects locally, as well as roles that are suitable for your child. They can also help you access labour market information, which shows existing jobs in the local area, the skills needed for certain roles and which local industries are likely to need more employees in the future.
Options from age 18
If your child decides to get a job, many employers offer training programmes and apprenticeships which will enable them to learn while they earn.
If their chosen career means they need to get certain qualifications first, or they want to continue studying, they will usually do this at an education provider such as a further education (FE) college or a university.
Find out more about the options:
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships from 18+ also combine study with training in a paid job. They are offered at different levels, depending on the nature of the job, starting at level 2 (GCSEs are level 2 qualifications for example), going up to Level 7 (equivalent to a master’s degree).
HTQs, higher certificates, diplomas and foundation degrees
These are higher qualifications (usually level 4 or 5) linked to a specific field that help young people build skills and progress within a chosen field or career.
Undergraduate degree
A chosen subject is usually studied over three or four years full-time at a university. Degrees in some subjects come with a placement year where students will experience work in their chosen field.
Master’s degree
Usually available to those who have completed an undergraduate degree who want to take their study to a more advanced level within their chosen subject.
Employment
Employment options available from age 18 will vary depending on where you live. To start exploring the options, you could have a conversation with your child’s school or college. They can advise on the best job prospects locally, as well as roles that are suitable for your child. They can also help you access labour market information, which shows existing jobs in the local area, the skills needed for certain roles and which local industries are likely to need more employees in the future.
