Further Studies and Education
If you're looking to carry on learning after 16, either at sixth form or in a Further Education (FE) college, there are a range of academic and vocational courses you can choose from to achieve your career goals.
It is important to gain nationally recognised qualifications so that they mean something to an employer or another learning institution. Read on to find out the opportunities available.
Academic Qualifications
AS and A Levels (A2)
Advanced Subsidiary Level, or AS level examinations are the first 'half' of a full A Level and are usually taken during Year 12 (age 16/17). You can go on to the second part, now called A2, after you have passed all your AS exams and course work. An entire A level is made up of 6 units and an AS level has 3 units, that you can re-sit. Your overall A Level grade will be based on your best results.
Entry requirements vary, but you will probably need at least 4 GCSEs at grade C to take up to 5 AS Levels in Year 12. In Year 13 you can carry between two and four subjects on to A2 or take more AS levels.
Either way, AS Levels give you the opportunity to try a subject, gain a qualification and then either take it further, or drop it in order to concentrate on the courses you prefer. There are over 70 AS levels to choose from, so there's something for everyone!
GCSEs
You may have just finished your GCSEs, but don't forget that you can always study for more GCSEs if you need to. If you want to do a GCSE, look up which awarding body offers the subject you want to study. Then contact them to find out what the entry requirements are, and where you can learn.
The awarding bodies in England are:
• Edexcel, telephone: 0870 240 9800
• OCR, telephone: 01223 552 552
• AQA, telephone: 01483 506 506
Vocational Qualifications
Vocational qualifications provide you with the skills and education that prepare you for a particular job. The departments of some Further Education colleges have been classified as Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) because they provide high quality vocational learning which meet the skills needs of employers either within your local area, region or nation wide. So you get excellent training to give you the best start in your vocational career.
BTECs
There are several different types of BTEC qualifications in a wide variety of vocational subjects.
There are a number of BTEC short courses in the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). There are other BTEC short courses of varying sizes and levels outside the NQF. By their nature BTEC short courses concentrate on relatively small blocks of learning within a specific focussed area of activity, employment sector or skills area.
The BTEC Introductory Certificates and Diplomas are designed to widen participation and improve performance at Level 1 of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). They encourage students to develop the personal skills and attributes needed in order to develop confidence in ability to work, learn and achieve full potential at Level 1.
BTEC First Certificates and Diplomas are NQF Level 2 vocational qualifications and provide the initial knowledge and understanding for students wishing to work or to take further study at level 3.
BTEC National Diplomas, Certificates and Awards are at NQF Level 3 and focus on a specialist occupational area.
BTEC Foundation Degree programmes are available for study from September 2004 to students from all over England. They develop the skills that employers and the Government have identified as essential for the workplace. The BTEC Foundation Degrees are developed with national employers and organisations to develop relevant skills and provide a pathway for lifelong learning. Students taking them may progress to a variety of degree courses, or BTEC Foundation Degrees can be used to drive career development or career change.
BTEC Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) and Higher National Certificates (HNCs) are level 4 qualifications designed to equip students with the knowledge, understanding and skills required for success in current or future employment or for progression to an undergraduate degree. HNDs will be an integral part of the Foundation Degree Framework.
Applied A Levels and GNVQs (General National Vocational Qualifications)
If you're daunted by the prospect of having your nose in a book for another couple of years but don't want to enter the world of work just yet, there are several vocational (work related) qualifications you could take. The Applied A Level is equivalent to ordinary A Levels.
Aimed at developing skills and understanding as well as specific knowledge, GNVQs and Applied A Levels are appropriate for subjects such as art and design, catering or engineering. Every subject covers skills in communication, numeracy, information technology, problem solving and working as a team, whilst work placements help put your learning into practice. The emphasis is on course work rather than examination grades, so think carefully about which you prefer before making your choices.
Applied A Levels consist of 6 units and normally take two years to complete, but like A Levels, you can take a 3-unit AS levels over one year. If you want to take the subject further, you can take a 12-unit Applied A Level Double Award, which is equivalent to two A Levels.
GNVQs are also comprised of units, pitched at Intermediate level and can be taken as a first step to NVQs, Applied A Level or as a qualification in their own right.
City and Guilds
City and Guilds also offer vocational qualifications. There are more than 400 subjects to choose from and they include NVQs, Apprenticeships and key skills, as well as City and Guilds. Find out more at the City and Guilds website at www.city-and-guilds.co.uk
NVQs
NVQs assess the skills that candidates demonstrate at work and are available at five levels, from level 1 - for routine jobs - to level 5 - for jobs with complex tasks and substantial responsibility. See the NVQ Guide at www.direct.gov.uk.
Apprenticeships
If you're aged 16-24 and not taking part in full time education you might be interested in earning while you learn through an Apprenticeship. Apprentices learn on the job, building up knowledge and skills, gaining qualifications and earning money all at the same time.
There are different levels of Apprenticeship available, but they all lead to National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), Key Skills qualifications and, in most cases, a technical certificate such as a BTEC or City & Guilds. See the Apprenticeship Guide at www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
Who can help
Discuss your options with your parents or carers and friends.
Find out about all the different kinds of academic and vocational courses at www.direct.gov.uk.
For information on AS and A Levels (A2) see www.bbc.co.uk/schools/16guide
Learn all about Apprenticeships at www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
Information on vocational courses can be found at www.edexcel.org.uk/qualifications or check out City and Guilds options at www.city-and-guilds.co.uk