College or sixth form?

Your GCSEs are over and it's time to move on. While the world of work may feel a long way away, the choices you make now can affect your career. Here are your options.

"Whether you want to study GCSEs, A-levels or a more vocational course, enrolling at your local college of FE is a great option"

Who can I ask for advice?

Whatever your GCSE results, it's worth chatting to the one person who's kept a professional eye on your educational progress – your form tutor. Knowing your strengths and weakness, your form tutor can talk you through all the possibilities, including staying on to study at sixth form, if you have one at your school.

Consulting a careers advisor can also be invaluable. Many people don't rate the careers advice they get from school, complaining that the interviews are too short and the computer generated advice too general. If this is the case for you, look outside school for skilled advisors based in colleges, universities, Local Authorities and careers services who can help. Talking honestly about your expectations, they can be a good sounding board to test out your ideas, and will point out options you haven't considered.

Where can I study?

Sixth form

With a much wider range of qualifications and subjects on offer, there's much more to sixth form than GCSE resits and A-levels. This is your chance to continue in education with a view to qualifying for higher education (i.e. a degree course) at 18, or pursuing a vocational course, like an NVQ or Diploma that gives you vital skills when it comes to entering the job market.

You're not limited to staying at the same school; you can apply to study at a sixth form college or another school's sixth form. If the sixth form is at the same school you've been attending, you'll know what to expect in terms of the working environment and teaching staff, and you'll usually find that – as a member of the sixth form – you are treated as more of an adult. Studying elsewhere may take you away from your comfort zone, but some find the challenge of making new friends and learning in a new environment a refreshing change.

College of further education

Whether you want to study GCSEs, A-levels or a more vocational course, enrolling at your local college of further education (FE) is a great option. Some of the courses on offer may be similar to a sixth form college, but in general FE colleges offer a broader range of qualifications in a more relaxed atmosphere in which to learn. This means no dress code and more independence, so you'll have to learn how to motivate yourself and be prepared to structure your own time.

Home study

If you can't face going back to school or starting a new college, you can opt to study from home. It requires discipline and motivation, but can be a good alternative for those who want to combine extra study with part-time work. You can study pretty much anything you like, from GCSEs to degrees, in your own time and help is always available from a course tutor.

What should I study?

This depends on your goals and career aspirations. If you already have a game plan for studying to degree level, it's important to find out what A-levels you need to get there. If you need to resit a couple of GCSEs, some colleges let you do this while studying other courses.

Otherwise, think about what you enjoyed studying at GCSE and whether further study is for you. A-levels are a route many people take, but vocational courses, like apprenticeships or NVQs, might suit you better, depending on what you want to do afterwards.

Did you know?

The Government has introduced a scheme that guarantees you a place on a course of your choice, or as near to your choice as possible. Called the September Guarantee, it's available for all 16–17 year olds who are pursuing one-year or short courses at college.

Get some professional careers advice. In England you can email a Connexions Advisor at Connexions Direct. In Scotland you can contact the Young Scot helpline on 0808 8010 338; in Wales you can talk to someone at Careers Wales and in Northern Ireland help is available at Careers Service Northern Ireland. Or contact the Careers Advice Service on 0808 0100 333.
Speak to people who've attended both the sixth forms and colleges in your area to find out which would suit you best.
Check out our guide to post-16 qualifications for ideas on what to study.
Don't let money worries hold you back; there are plenty of funding options out there to help you.
Speak to Learn Direct on 0800 101 901 about courses you can study from home; some of them may be free.
If you're aged 16-17, you are guaranteed a place at college by the Government. Ask your Connexions PA for advice to make sure your college honours this.

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