Deciding what to do after completing A-levels is no small task. With numerous choices available, including going to university, starting apprenticeships, or jumping right to work, it's no wonder many students find themselves feeling overwhelmed.
This year, university remains the popular choice, with admissions service Ucas reporting over 316,000 applications from UK teenagers for higher education courses. This marks the second-highest number of applicants on record, indicating the persistent allure of university life.
Yet, there’s also a growing trend of students opting for alternatives. Take Georgie Winton, for example; she hails from Calne, Wiltshire, and secured her dream job long before she even sat her A-level exams.
At a careers fair, Winton connected with Deceuninck, which focuses on supplying PVC for windows. "I was explaining how much I loved marketing and [the HR manager] mentioned they were on the lookout for someone to cover for maternity leave," she recalled.
Encouraged by her mentors, Winton quickly decided not to miss out on the opportunity. "It would have been stupid to turn it down," she said, contemplating the prospect of heading to university.
Initially, she had plans to attend university, but her experiences led her to reconsider. "I really didn't want to go back to the school-type environment," she said, reflecting on her time at school, which she found less than enjoyable.
Just six weeks after the careers fair, Winton received confirmation of her job offer. Her teachers adjusted her timetable so she could continue working and studying for her A-levels simultaneously.
Although the balancing act was stressful, she feels it paid off. "Marketing is my dream job, and I never thought I could do it alongside school," she said proudly.
Winton believes transitioning straight to work instead of pursuing a degree has been overwhelmingly beneficial. She pointed out, "I know plenty of people who went to university, got degrees, and are still struggling to find jobs."
Through her experience, she has come to understand the importance of real-world skills over formal education. "It’s absolutely possible to land a good job without higher education, especially if you follow your passions and seek out opportunities involved with your interests," she said, encouraging others to consult with career advisors.
Luisa Spence, from Bishopston, Bristol, provides another perspective. After completing her A-levels two years prior, Spence enrolled at university to study textiles but quickly grew apprehensive about her choice.
"There was such emphasis on Ucas applications at my school, but it felt like there was little discussion about other options," she shared. "Deep down, I knew university might not be the right fit for me."
The following March, realizing her textiles course wasn't suitable, Spence dropped out. "It didn't feel like I was spending wisely; I couldn't justify paying £9,000 on a course I wasn't enjoying," she expressed.
Spence's goal had always revolved around hairdressing, so she pivoted back to her original dream after leaving university. Since February, she has been pursuing a Level 2 hairdressing apprenticeship, which she's found to be much more enjoyable.
"It's going really well," she said with evident enthusiasm. "I'm on my feet all day, but I prefer this practical style of learning over continuous writing and exams."
Reflecting on her earlier decision to attend university, she acknowledges regret but emphasizes the valuable lessons learned. "If I hadn't gone to university, I might not have been driven to pursue what I truly wanted to do."
Her short stint at university still weighs on her due to the financial burden. "I dread to think how much I would owe if I had continued for three or four years."
For other students contemplating their paths, avoiding prolonged unhappiness is critical, she suggests. "You really need to carefully think about your choices and gather perspectives before making any major decisions," she stated.
Another voice of experience is Jake Davies, also from Bristol. He found himself unsure of what to do after school; largely because the focus was on university options rather than exploring alternatives.
"I applied at the last minute for football coaching, but I dropped out after just a few weeks as it wasn't particularly enjoyable," he shared. Following this, he worked various jobs before landing his current role as a sales consultant.
"While many of my friends headed to university, I felt differently; I’d rather earn money than sit around studying," he admitted confidently. "Real-world experiences are invaluable."
His time spent selling broadband and wifi, though challenging, polished his skills. "I hated the job, but it provided me with plenty of conversation starters during interviews, which helped me secure my current position," he added.
The A-level results also spotlighted the remarkable success of students against various challenges. A notable story is of Anna Petrenko, who fled Ukraine to Devon and achieved top A-level grades.
Petrenko arrived after the Russian invasion displaced her from her homeland. With resilience, she managed to achieve two As and one A, leading her to the University of Bristol to study physics.
Reflecting on her experience, she remarked, "The last two years have been enjoyable. It was hard work to get the results I got, but I enjoyed it."
Meanwhile, results from UK's educational institutions indicate top A-level grades have returned to pre-Covid levels. The Joint Council for Qualifications reported the percentage of students obtaining A or A grades increased slightly to 27.8% this year.
Kingsbridge Community College's principal, Tina Graham, expressed pride in the students' performances amid challenging times. "It's important for parents, students, and teachers to trust the exam system again," she stressed.
Milo Clover, another successful student from this school, expressed his joy after achieving excellent results. He emphasized, "It’s two years of hard work and stress finally paying off."
While some students celebrate success, others are scrambling to find places through clearing as universities advertise higher than usual vacancies. The University of Sheffield received over 500 calls just two hours after opening their lines.
Many institutions are not only aiming to fill their spaces but have started offering enticing incentives like free laptops or accommodations to attract applicants. Among the 24 Russell Group universities, 18 are providing almost 3,900 places this year, indicating the urgency to accommodate eager learners.
The scramble for clearing places symbolizes the shift within educational pathways as students adapt to evolving opportunities. Each individual's choice reflects personal goals, whether pursuing higher education, jumping right to work, or exploring the apprenticeship route.
The A-level results day showcases varied journeys toward adulthood and demonstrates the diverse paths students are taking beyond traditional university education. The future of these students is bright, no matter the path they choose to take, exemplifying the wealth of possibilities available today.
