Options after Year 13
Further education
If your teenager wants to improve their grades or learn a new skill they could consider another year in further education. However encourage them to think carefully if they are staying on just to improve their grades, it may be difficult for them to find the motivation to repeat the same course.
Visit our Further education page for more information.
Apprenticeships
This is a good option if your teenager would like to learn in a more practical way. At 18 they can still start an apprenticeship or they might want to consider an advanced apprenticeship.
Visit our Apprenticeships and Jobs page for more information.
Higher Education (HE)
This will usually be at a university or higher education college. There's lots of different subjects on offer including many work related courses. Higher education courses open up a wide range of job opportunities with the possibility of higher earnings in the future. Even if no one in your family has been to university before don't let this put you off. There's lots of help with the costs and it will greatly improve your teenager's career prospects.
Visit our Higher education page for more information.
Work
If your teenager wants to go into a job try and encourage them to find one that offers some part-time training. Some companies offer management traineeships for A level holders, however there is often a lot of competition for these jobs.
Visit our Apprenticeships and Jobs section for more information.
Gap Year
This is an increasingly popular option with young people. Encourage your teenager to do some volunteering, travelling or work experience that will look good on their CV.
Find out more about gap years on our young person's site
Links
Careersbox
Get involved and support your children with their career choices
GOV.UK
Finding FE courses
Apprenticeships
Find out how your teenager could earn while they learn with an apprenticeship
VSO
Youth volunteering placements overseas and in the UK
Go gap year
Essential advice for gap year travellers
Page last updated 25/10/12
