Choices at 16+ – College



When you finish your GCSEs you will be considering which direction to head in next. If you have decided to go to college it is important to consider your options thoroughly.

There are many different choices out there. If you plan to go to university then you will need to go to college to get the relevant qualifications. If you have a particular career in mind, research what courses you will need to take to get on to the degree that you want. Some degree courses only accept students with relevant college qualifications under their belt, so take you time to decide what it is you want to achieve.
When going to college there are many different courses that you can take: A-levels, BTEC National Diplomas, NVQ Qualifications or further GCSEs that you did not have the chance to complete first time round. The length of the courses can vary. A-levels usually take two years to complete, whereas BTECs can take only one. Universities will usually ask that applicants have a minimum of 3 A-levels/and or an Advanced Diploma/NVQs.

When deciding on the course, think ahead to the future. Are you interested in learning about something new, Do you want to take a course in a subject that you enjoy, What learning style do you prefer: end of year exams or coursework, Going to college can lead to many things. However, it is important to think hard about the courses that you want to take in regards to the life you want to have.

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