A-Level Results Are Here– So What Comes Next?

A-Levels are a stressful period, but even worse is the anxiety many feel across the UK on the day the results for A-Levels are finally published. With most University courses in the UK requiring specific A-levels, it can seem like your results are the be all and end all; but that’s not always the case! A Levels can also be a great way to get a taste of what interests you and use that for any future study decisions you might make.

The results will officially be published at 8am on the 16th August 2018. You can access them on the UCAS website. If you applied for a position at a University, you will be able to see this here when results are released.

Firstly, it’s so important you know that your results are really an indication of where your strengths lie. If you don’t get the results you expected from your A-levels, that’s not the end of the world! Thousands of school leavers go on to different paths other than University. What’s important to remember is that there’s many options available to you, no matter the outcome.

Your A-levels can be really useful in seeing what areas you excel at. From arts, science, english and more, everyone has an area that they’re the strongest in. The next step is to work out what’s the best further study option for you now that you’re on track to receiving your A-level grades. The hard part’s over, you’ve done your exams, now it’s time for the fun part of determining your career path!

While many pursue A-Level qualifications to get into a higher education stream like University, they can also be used to keep your options open for study at a later date. If you still don’t know what to do with your future career, don’t worry, now that you’re A-Levels are almost here, that doesn’t mean you need to automatically enrol in University and choose that path; there are plenty more options for you to consider.

Some employers consider A-Levels enough of an indication that you know your stuff and are skilled enough for the workforce. So despite what most seem to believe, you can definitely pursue the career path you want without having to commit to a four-year degree.

With plenty of online courses available across England, these additional courses can be all you need to get into a field you’re interested in. Don’t believe me? Here are some high paying jobs that don’t need a University degree. Better yet, you can start building your career with just your A-Levels.

This challenging area doesn’t always require a degree. You can start out in an assistant role right out of High School, making it a popular option among school leavers, especially with so many areas available, including social media marketing, design and advertising.

In these industries, experience tends to outweigh a pricey University degree, so why not get started in this area today? If you’ve just received your A-Level results, a short marketing online course can be all it takes to get you into this sought-after role.

Hospitality is one of the UK’s biggest industries and has one of the lowest starting ages of any sector. In this field, it’s less about the number of years you’ve been in the industry, and more about your interpersonal skills, motivation and ability to strive for success. There’s a limitless number of starting careers for school leavers, including customer service representatives, event management assistant roles and culinary arts apprenticeships.

Most people don’t realise that IT is a highly-accessible industry and also one of the most in-demand across England and the world. You don’t need to have stellar qualifications or A-level grades to enter this area at all. IT Support staff and IT Technicians are two popular options for school-leaving tech lovers in England. With great salary and employment prospects, you could be climbing up the ranks in no time– all without a University degree!

Accounting and bookkeeping are two of the more sought after areas in finance, and employ thousands of junior assistants across England, especially London. Some of the more popular positions that don’t require a degree include accounting assistant, accounts payable trainee and bookkeeping junior assistant. With every business great and small needing their accounts well organised and managed, there’s always demand in this area.

If study still sounds like a great option for you but you’re looking for a bit more from a degree than just a Certificate; the degree apprenticeships could e a great option for you. These programs combine the recognition of Higher Education, with the benefit of vocation training, allowing you to develop not only your knowledge, but practical skills as well. During these programs, students split their time between in-class study and the workplace, just like a normal apprenticeship. The only difference is the duration– usually one year for higher apprenticeships and four years for a degree apprenticeship.

These are a great study option for anyone looking to enter a career that needs a lot of hands-on training and experience, as well as for anyone looking to escape the traditional University pathway and try something a bit different. These courses are available from level 4 to level 6-7 for Master’s degrees.

University isn’t for everyone and they certainly aren’t the only way to get into a decent career path. If you’re not ready to go to University, or just don’t see yourself in that environment, a school leaver programme is a great initiative. These new recruitment tools are seen in more businesses than ever around England, and are offered to school leavers with A-Levels. The great thing about these programmes is that you can gain real-world experience, without having to get the degree first. School lever programmes are being seen more often the past few years, so keep your eyes open. They tend to be seen in areas such as accounting, finance, engineering and information technology.

Now you should have a better idea of your options, so when the time comes to find out your results, you’ll be more prepared than ever to enter the workforce that awaits you. Good luck!