Post 18 Options
There are a lot of options to choose from at 18. What’s right for you will depend on your situation and the career or job you have in mind. On this page you will find news, information and advice on a variety of post-18 options, from 'traditional' University routes, alongside Degree Apprenticeships, Gap Years and other work based learning.
University
University offers an exciting opportunity to continue your education, deepen your knowledge in a subject you’re passionate about, and gain valuable qualifications that can open doors to your future career. Whether you’re aiming for a specific profession, looking to specialise in a particular field, or eager to explore new interests, university provides the academic and personal development to help you achieve your goals. With a wide range of courses, institutions, and pathways available, it’s important to research your options carefully and consider what’s best for you. This page will provide you with some useful resources about the key aspects of university life and to help you make an informed decision.
Do your research
With so many universities to choose from, it’s important to take the time to find the ones that truly appeal to you. Ask yourself:
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Does the university offer the right courses for your interests and career goals?
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Do they have strong links with employers or offer valuable work placements?
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Is the course accredited by a professional body?
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Would you prefer a university on a single campus or one spread across a city?
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Have you considered the possibility of studying abroad?
These are just a few of the questions you might want to consider to help you narrow down your options and ensure you choose a university that aligns with your aspirations and preferences.
Finding, visiting and shortlisting universities
The links below should help you to research the universities, courses and other information you need to consider:
Opendays.com - A website providing a comprehensive calendar of university and college open days
Student Finance
Dance and Drama Awards - You could get a Dance and Drama Award (DaDA) to help with fees and living costs at one of 15 private dance and drama schools.
Student Finance - Government website full of information on a variety of funding pathways.
Student Finance "6 need-to knows" - MoneySavingExpert guide including the key facts every potential student, parent and grandparent should know.
UK Scholarships - A list of available scholarships for United Kingdom students in UK 2025-2026 you can apply for.
University Budgeting Tips - It’s important to know how to manage your money as a student, otherwise it won’t last through term time and holidays.
Degree and Higher Apprenticeships
Higher and degree apprenticeships are available at levels 4 to 7. They combine work with study and may include a work-based, academic or combined qualification or a professional qualification relevant to the industry. Levels 4 and 5 are equivalent to a Higher Education Certificate/Diploma or a foundation degree, Level 6 is equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree and level 7 is equivalent to a Master’s degree.
Typically, higher apprentices study part-time at college, university or with a training provider.
They are a great way to combine higher education with wage-earning - all in one!
You can find out more about apprenticeships by clicking here.
Finding an apprenticeship
There are many different places you can look to find an apprenticeship, we have include some of the most useful websites below to help you get started. It is important to start your search early as vacancies for some apprenticeships will go live as early as a year before the start date.
Alan Bullock Careers - A regularly updated list of current degree and higher level apprenticeships. You can use the information on this blog post to see which organisations have vacancies before going to the employers website directly to find more information and apply for the role.
Find an Apprenticeship - The Government search engine allows students to search for apprenticeships at all levels across the country.
UCAS Apprenticeships - Another powerful searching tool to find thousands of apprenticeship opportunities across the country.
Gap Year
A gap year can be a fantastic opportunity to take a break from formal education, gain new experiences, and develop skills that will benefit your future. Whether you choose to travel, volunteer, work, or explore personal interests, a gap year allows you to grow personally and professionally while giving you time to reflect on your next steps. It’s a chance to broaden your horizons, build your confidence, and return to education or work with fresh focus and perspective.
BBC Bitesize - Should I take a gap year?
National Careers Service - Advice to help you make the most out of your gap year and take away lots of transferable skills to help you with your future career.
Prospects - Gap year advice on where you could go and what you could do to make sure you have a trip to remember.
UCAS - Useful information and inspiration to help you plan your gap year.
Unifrog - A guide to gap years