Options for Year 11

What are the options?

Since 2015, it's been mandatory for UK students to remain in education until age 18.  There are several routes students can choose from.

At age 16 students can choose from: -

ACADEMIC ROUTE

• A Levels - Level 3 qualifications which use exam based assessments. Typically students choose around 3 or 4 subjects to study at A level.

• International Baccalaureate - Level 3 qualification with core modules and elective modules. See section at the bottom of this page.

VOCATIONAL ROUTE

• T Levels - Level 3 qualifications. T Levels are technical courses which are equivalent to 3 x A Levels, new in 2020. Developed in collaboration with employers so course content meets the needs of industry. T Levels combine classroom work (80%) with an extended 45-day industry placement (20%) so young people gain both knowledge and skills. They open the door into skilled employment, further study, a higher apprenticeship or a degree. 

• BTEC - Level 1, 2 or 3 qualifications which are assessed through a portfolio of work and observations.

WORK-BASED ROUTE

• Apprenticeship - Intermediate (Level 2); Advanced (Level 3); or Higher (Level 4-6). You will typically be in paid employment for four days per week and study towards a qualification through flexible or online learning.

• Work with training - You can work for an employer, and the employer must allow you time to be able to study an accredited course (this can be flexible e.g. evenings, weekends, distance learning) for a minimum of 280 hours per calendar year.

WHERE CAN I STUDY?

• An app for London school-leavers looking for courses and study providers in London