Alternatives to University
In the UK, you are legally required to be in education of some kind until the age of 18, whether that is sixth form or a college or even an apprenticeship. After that however, there are so many opportunities available for what you are able to do - you can continue your education in different ways or even begin working. Many people go to university, but this is not the right choice for everyone and their goals, so in this blog post, we will be discussing some other options after you turn 18 to further your career or education.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are a great alternative to the traditional uni route - there are many different levels of apprenticeships you can do. Degree apprenticeships happen after you take your A-Levels or equivalent and combines the education you would be receiving in a university with a hands-on course in a trade. These are becoming increasingly popular and more are becoming available usually in partnerships with universities themselves. This also provides you with a bachelor’s degree, and some even progress to a Master’s level. Many apprenticeships also offer a basic annual salary which enables you to learn and get paid.
Traineeships
These are typically shorter courses than apprenticeships, and you do not need to complete them at a certain point in your education, but you do need to be aged 16-23 (or 25 if you have learning disabilities). They are great if you need experience or lack certain qualifications to apply for a job or apprenticeships and typically last a few months. Unlike apprenticeships, however, you will not get paid, but usually your travel and food costs will be reimbursed allowing you to save a little more money.
Jobs
These are jobs designed for people coming straight out of sixth form or college or equivalent schools. They may have certain grade requirements or work experience requirements, but on the whole, are meant to be accessible for everyone. There is no singular website that allows you to apply for these however unlike perhaps univeristy degrees, so you will simply have to go job hunting. The best way is to look at some companies that are in the field you want to enter and see what they offer, or browse websites like Indeed.com that are job-hunting sites. Like any job, these have a range of hours and salaries, so make sure you do your research to see what is typical for your field. You don’t even have to be employed - you can start your own business and be self employed. The opportunities are endless, so definitely don’t disregard this as a viable option.
Work Experience and Internships
These are great if you are unsure of what field you want to enter and want to give a few things a try, or simply need more experience and qualifications in that field. They can range anywhere from a week to a couple of months, and can be both unpaid or paid. Again, there is no singular application process, so you will have to contact companies to see what their policies are. Some companies may not even advertise it on their site, but are more than willing to accommodate you for a short period of time, so get ready to send out many, many emails!
Gap Year
Finally, this is another very popular option, and is used by many if they are unsure of what they want to do further, or want to take a year off before getting back into things. Many people also do this before applying to university the next year or apply for deferred entry as this gives them a chance to travel, earn some money or pursue some other non-academic goals. You can use this time to do some of the options above or simply travel the world. A year off can be a great way to just reboot your system and put everything in a bit of perspective so you can better understand what exactly you want to do next in life.
I hope this has been a comprehensive guide of only some of the very many options that you have after turning 18 - simply because most people are doing one thing, this does not mean it is the right choice for you. The most important thing is to grab all opportunities that come your way, and good luck!