It’s GCSE results day – Congratulations! You made it through the painstaking months of learning, studying, revising, sitting your exams, and then waiting for this special day. The hard part is over, and you now get to bask in the glory of all your efforts. Take a moment or two – or perhaps a few days – to relax, satisfied with what you’ve achieved.
Once the reality has sank in, it’s time to think about the exciting opportunities ahead of you. With your results in-hand, the world truly is your oyster. Here, we’re going to take a look at what educational options are open to you.
Move on to A-Levels – GCSE Results Day 2018
For many students in the UK, the next step after completing GCSEs is to head straight on to A-Levels. A-Levels are a whole new step up from GCSE, but are mostly similar. You’ll choose anywhere between 3 and 5 subjects to specialise in, shaping your academic future. Generally speaking, you will need to enrol with either your existing school/college or a new one if you want to move on to A-Levels.
A-Levels are a popular route to take because they are the most commonly recognised form of qualification by UK universities. So, if you’re planning on going to university in a few years’ time, you’ll seriously want to consider moving on to A-Levels now that your GCSEs are finished.
As previously mentioned, A-Levels are quite similar to GCSEs in that they are largely exam-based, you study for them over the course of two years, and they generally test academic subjects such as English, Maths, Foreign Languages, Science, and so on. Most schools will definitely offer the ‘mainstream’ subjects for students, but slightly more niche course such as Music might be limited. Therefore, you might need to take a look at other schools in your area which you can transfer to so that you can sit the courses you want.
A-Levels are great for students with a keen eye for academia, and those who want to go on to university. Click here to find out about how to pass your A-Levels with A*s, giving you a head start in your A-Level studies!
Find a Vocation with Apprenticeships and Traineeships – GCSE Results Day 2018
Not everyone enjoys academic subjects like Maths and Science, nor do they fancy heading on to university. Thankfully, there are alternatives to A-levels, such as apprenticeships and traineeships.
Apprenticeships are programmes design to give young people a mixture of studying and practical work, as apprenticeship students will perform a job in a workplace as part of their apprenticeship. In an apprenticeship, you’ll choose a field or industry to move into, and receive experience and skills which are specific to that area. Apprenticeships are also paid, meaning that you can earn some money while you learn valuable skills. Students can head into an apprenticeship at any level, but if you’ve just finished your GCSEs, you’ll be working at an ‘intermediate’ level. Apprenticeships can last a year or two, depending on the field you are studying in.
To find out more about apprenticeships, and find one to apply for, check out the government website for apprenticeships.
Traineeships are similar to apprenticeships, but take place over a shorter period of time. Traineeships can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months, depending on the industry. However, unlike apprenticeships, traineeships are unpaid. Take this into account before applying. If you’re interested in traineeships, head over to the government website for traineeships.
BTEC, Another Vocational Path – GCSE Results Day 2018
If A-Levels, apprenticeships, and traineeships don’t interest you, fear not! There are still options available. The final route we’ll be looking at here is BTEC, a qualification designed to give students practical skills, but also provide them with qualifications which are recognised by universities. That’s right: you can be accepted into university if you have a BTEC and not A-Levels, making BTEC a great choice for young people who are unsure about what they want to do in the future, and don’t want to block off any opportunities.
BTEC is different to A-Levels in a number of different ways. Firstly, BTEC is usually not exam-based, but rather assessed based on practical work and performance. Also unlike A-Levels, BTEC focuses on areas which aren’t considered to be as strictly academic, such as Design, Performing Arts, Business, and more. You can also take a BTEC alongside A-Levels, keeping your options even more open!
Generally speaking, BTECs take between 1 and 2 years to complete. If you’re interested in BTEC studies, check out the official BTEC website.
The World is Your Oyster! – GCSE Results Day 2018
As you can see, there are plenty of opportunities open to you after GCSE results day 2018. All you need to do now is decide what interests you, what you’re good at, and where you want to go next!
Thinking about moving on to A-Levels? Check out our expert guide: Pass Your A-Levels With A*s.
