A Level Results: Your next step
14th August 2019 – Tags: A Level Results
You’ve worked hard all year round for your A Levels, now you’ve received your results what’s next?
If you’ve received the results you were expecting, and have gained a place at the university or college you applied for - congratulations! There are some great resources available from UCAS and The Student Room on preparing for what lies ahead, including accommodation, student finance, and freshers activities..
If your results were not what you were expecting, there are still many options available to you. We will outline several options here.
UCAS Clearing
If you do not already have a university offer, or have declined your firm offer, you can use the UCAS Clearing Service on the UCAS website. Universities and colleges use clearing when they still have places on their courses. You can find course vacancies that interest you, and contact the universities or colleges directly to see if they will offer you a place.
If your UCAS Track status is ‘You are in clearing’, or ‘Clearing has started’, you will be able to use the UCAS Clearing service. There is also a Direct Contact Service which enables universities and colleges to contact you directly to offer you places.
If you are looking to study close to home, City College Norwich offers a range of Degree and Higher Education courses. All of their degrees are awarded by UEA and with flexible study options, smaller class sizes and lower fees, they offer a great alternative to traditional university. Places are still available for September.
UCAS Adjustment
If you’ve done better in your A Level results than you were expecting, you may wish to use the UCAS Adjustment Service to swap your course or institution.
Adjustment is available from A Level results day until the 31st August 2019. If you try adjustment and don’t find an option you prefer, you’ll still keep the course you gained on results day.
Apprenticeships
You may wish to take a hands-on, practical route after completing your A Levels, whilst earning at the same time. If so, an Apprenticeship is worth considering.
A Level graduates would typically look at Higher or Degree Apprenticeships. Higher Apprenticeships provide an opportunity to gain Level 4 qualifications or above. These take one to five years to complete, and involve some part time study at college.
Degree Apprenticeships allow students to achieve a full bachelors or masters degree as part of their apprenticeship.These qualifications can take between three to six years to complete, and include part time study at college or university.
You can find out more about apprenticeships here.
Gap year
You may wish to take a pause before you continue your studies or education. This could involve travelling or volunteering. You can find overseas volunteering placements via the International Citizen Service here. Many young people also choose to teach English as a Foreign Language abroad.
Internships and work placements
If you’d like to learn and gain work experience in between A Levels and your next step, you may wish to consider a work placement or internship. Whether you’re looking to progress in STEM, business, or the Arts, many organisations employ students on short term work placements directly, such as Rolls Royce, the NHS, and the BBC, to name just a few.
Direct employment
You may wish to enter the world of work and begin earning immediately after completing your A Levels, if so, you can find job vacancies via Find a Job, or directly from employer websites.
Unsure about your next step?
If you’re unsure about where to go next, we are here to work with you to ensure we find the best possible outcome for you and your future.
The City College Norwich Advice Shop is open throughout the summer. This service offers advice and guidance for anyone considering their career, education, and training options.
Simply drop-in to the Advice Shop at City College Norwich, Ipswich Road campus between 8.30am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday. You can also contact them on 01603 773773 or information@ccn.ac.uk