Help students navigate their post-16 options

Navigating the post-16 landscape can be daunting. Young people need an idea of their future plans, whether that’s university, further training or launching straight into a career. Helping your learners make informed choices means understanding not just the qualifications but their context.

Local course availability is important. Tuition is free for 16–19 UK students, but travel and placement-related costs add up. Encourage your learners to consider what’s available locally. Limited local provision and travel costs can make accessing certain qualifications more challenging. You’ll want learners to consider their preferred learning and assessment styles; some thrive on final exams, others prefer assignments.

What post-16 qualifications are available where?

Across the UK and Ireland, students have different qualification options depending on location and ambitions, with A-levels a common choice for those continuing education. In Scotland, guide your learners to consider Highers, with the option to add Advanced highers, which could strengthen university applications. Scottish Highers are set at Level 6 on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework – broadly equivalent to Level 3 in England. Students in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) take the Leaving certificate.

While A-levels, Highers and Advanced highers carry UCAS tariff points, the Leaving certificate comes with points from a system run by the Central Applications Office (CAO). These can translate into UCAS tariff points. ROI students may also consider Further Education and Training (FET) or Post Leaving Certificate courses, both offering vocational routes into employment or higher education. The CAO system is specific to Ireland, allocating points based on Leaving certificate results. In Northern Ireland, students typically follow the A-level route, but qualifications are overseen by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment. There may be regional differences in vocational pathways and apprenticeship structures.

Qualifications are all exam-based and open access to higher education, including higher technical qualifications, university degrees or apprenticeships at Level 3 or above in England and Level 6 or above in Scotland.

Remind learners that universities set their own entrance requirements, so check which qualifications each course accepts. Help them by presenting qualification details clearly and breaking complex information into manageable sections to avoid overload.

Awareness of local opportunities can help students find the right path

In Wales, changes to GCSE science and post-16 qualifications are on the horizon, with Qualifications Wales introducing new pathways and updated frameworks tailored to Welsh learners. These may affect how students choose between academic and vocational routes, so educators must keep informed. BTECs are less reaidly available but can be found in some colleges. 

BTECs are popular with schools and colleges in England, but the government foresees a system where a combination of A-levels, T-levels and alternative academic qualificati ons (AAQs) will meet learners’ needs. Students preferring applied or hands-on learning may find T-levels or apprenticeships more engaging than traditional routes. Introduce AAQs as an option for learners who want a mix of academic and vocational study. Explain how they fit alongside A-levels and other post-16 programmes. They have been taught in some schools and colleges since September 2025. Although containing exams, they are weighted towards coursework, so may suit your learners who prefer applied learning.

AAQ certificates are equivalent to AS-levels and extended certificates to A-levels. Getting a distinction in an extended certificate is worth 48 UCAS tariff points, equal to a grade A at A-level. AAQs reflect employers’ desire to recruit people with a good grounding in the latest industry requirements and work-ready skills such as critical thinking and problem solving. Meanwhile, undergraduate programmes need students with experience of research, extended writing and meeting deadlines.

Work-based routes and apprenticeships

Apprenticeships offer a practical alternative to classroom-based qualifications, combining paid work with structured training. Learners typically spend 80% of their time in the workplace and 20% with a college or training provider, with assessments usually based on assignments rather than exams. In England, apprenticeships offer a mix of paid work and training, with learners gaining qualifications through assignment-based assessment. 

In Scotland, learners can take foundation apprenticeships at the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework, Level 6 during their senior phase, alongside Highers. These combine classroom learning with work-based experience and can lead to modern or graduate apprenticeships. Scottish 16–24 year-old students can take Level 6 or 7 modern apprenticeships, involving paid employment, a structured training programme and provision of formal qualifications to those already in the workforce. Science options include life sciences and related industries, plus laboratory and associated technical activities. On completion, an apprentice may be offered a permanent role or moved onto a degree-level apprenticeship for jobs demanding a higher level of knowledge and training.

Wales does off apprentiships however, science-related courses are limited. Show learners the Jobs Growth Wales Plus – a training and development programme for 16-19 year olds. 

In Ireland, apprenticeships combine paid employment with structured training, leading to qualifications from Level 5 to Level 10 on the National Framework of Qualifications. There is support available for both apprentices and employers at apprenticeship.ie  and at your local education and training board.

There are so many routes for your learners to consider, but with your help, some forward thinking and awareness of local opportunities, they will find the right path for them.