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Post 18 options

There are more options to choose from when you’re 18. It can feel like a huge decision, but as mentioned before, there are many paths to the same destination, and if you decide that you change your mind later, then that’s ok. The most important thing to remember when deciding is to choose something you’ll enjoy. It can be helpful to take a Career Planner Quiz and consider what requirements any courses or jobs have. You can also seek the support of your teachers, tutor, parents, carer or careers advisor.

There are three main options for when you turn 18:

Apply for further study and continue education either full or part-time
Start a full-time job, apprenticeship or internship
Take a gap year or volunteer to develop yourself and your skills and to have a break from education
Military

It’s also a good idea to have a backup in case things change or you decide to go down a different route.

Further study

If you want to continue with your education, there are several different courses that you can take. You should research what career you’re interested in to choose an appropriate course. The things to consider when looking into higher education include:

Whether you want to study a degree or a higher technical qualification
Whether you’ll need to move away from home to study
Whether you’ll need to borrow money for tuition fees – Information on Student Finance
Whether your preferred career requires a specific qualification

Further study options include:

Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs)

Technical qualifications that employers have helped develop to give you the proper training and skills to succeed at work.
They take 1 to 2 years to complete, depending on the course
They are worth a level 4 or 5 qualification, depending on the course
They are likely to cost between £7000 and £9250, but you may be eligible for student finance
Courses can be found and applied for through UCAS
Once completed, you can go into work or continue studying in higher education
For more information on HTQs, visit UCAS – HTQs

Higher Education

Courses that are usually taught in universities or specialist colleges
Courses include diplomas, bachelor’s degrees, foundation degrees, HTQs and degree-level apprenticeships
They can take between 1 and 5 years to complete if studying full-time, part-time study will increase the duration
Hundreds of courses to choose between, from general subjects to keep options open or specific subjects for particular careers
Each provider and qualification will have its own entry requirements
They are worth a level 4, 5 or 6 qualification, depending on the course
They can cost up to £9250, depending on the course, but you may be eligible for student finance, scholarship, grant or bursary
You can apply through UCAS
After completing your course, you can continue your education with another course, join a graduate employment scheme, or go straight into employment.

Apprenticeship, internship or full-time

work

Apprenticeships are a great option if you’d like to earn and work while also learning. For more general information, see the apprenticeships section under the post 16 heading above. There are apprenticeships available at a higher level available to those 18 and above compared to those between 16 and 18.

Internships differ from apprenticeships; they are work experience placements lasting from a few weeks to a year. Internships are good if you want to gain practical skills and exposure to a field. You’ll learn by having hands-on experience and shadowing professionals, but you won’t receive a qualification like an apprenticeship. To get an internship, it’s best to research companies you’re interested in, apply to any open internship opportunities, or email the company with a copy of your CV and cover letter.

You can also choose to work full-time if you find a job in a career you’re interested in. Often, you’ll have to work your way up within a company to get to a higher position as you’ll gain more skills and knowledge for the role during your employment. It also allows you to work on your CV, earn money, and find out which parts of work you may or may not want to do in the future.

Gap year and volunteering

Taking a gap year and/or volunteering after compulsory education can be great. A gap year is a break, usually between a few months to a year, between college and university or after graduating. This time allows people to travel, volunteer, intern, or work to gain skills and life experience and explore personal interests while deciding the next steps before continuing with education or work.

Taking a gap year isn’t for everyone, so here are some advantages and disadvantages to consider:

Advantages:

Develop transferable skills – Planning a gap year can teach you skills, including budgeting, planning, and management. If you’re working abroad, you’ll also develop communication skills and international connections, which can be helpful in finding a job.
Gain work experience – Work experience can be very appealing to future employers, and an internship can help with that, but make sure the work is in a field you want to pursue.
Save money for future study – Working during your gap year can help you save money; the pay might not be high, but it’ll give you a feeling of financial independence.
Improve language skills – If you go abroad to a non-English speaking country, learning some of the language will appeal to global companies.
Time to reflect on your future – A gap year gives you time to consider your options if unsure about your next steps and career.
Meet new people and cultures – by travelling and staying in new places, you’ll meet people from all over the world and can learn about their way of life.
Time to work on a side hustle – you can even try and pursue a hobby or interest as a more serious form of income and try your hand at running your own business.

Disadvantages:

Travelling can be difficult – Solo travelling can be lonely, so it’s worth trying to befriend other travellers in shared accommodation or by finding groups online.
It can be expensive -You’ll need to purchase flights, accommodation, food and activities, so it’s worth saving some money beforehand by working part-time at college or university or working full-time for part of your gap year before travelling.
You can lose momentum to return to education or work – Structure your time and align your activities with your long-term goals. It’s good to have a set date to return to education or work and plan for when you arrive home.
You could fall behind – You should keep your skills and knowledge up to date in your chosen career; it’s recommended to choose a gap year related to future studies or career and stay up to date with industry news.

For more advice, gap year ideas and opportunities, visit Prospects – Gap Year.

Military

You can join the military at 18, in either the Army, Navy or the Royal Air Force. You can complete apprenticeships and degrees while serving and specialising in combat, engineering and medical areas.

For more information, visit Army, Navy and RAF.