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 Jobs and training 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 Jobs and training page 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