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Progressing In Further Education
Most Post 16 learning centres and Colleges will have open days where you can look around and speak to the staff about the entry requirements to attend. You can contact them to ask when their next open day is. You might also find details of open days on their website.
There are many different options, depending on what you would like to study and what level you require.
Your Options after GCSEs / Year 11. If you haven't got any idea what to do after your GCSEs, there are loads of options. This is the video for you because we're going to run through all of those options right now. First of all, 6th Form at a School: One option that you can consider is going to a sixth form at a school. Now, there are loads of different qualifications that you might be offered, but the main thing with a sixth form at a school is that you get to do more than one subject. So, if you want to take a variety of different subjects and keep your options open, you might want to consider a sixth form at a school. 6th Form at a College: That's not the only place you can do a sixth form; you can actually go and do a sixth form at a college. It's true, there are some colleges out there which have their own sixth forms. Again, you can do multiple different subjects. Depending on the college you go to, the qualifications you're offered will vary, but you might want to be in a college environment and do your sixth form there. Vocational Courses at College: Colleges also run loads of other courses, often referred to as vocational courses. Vocational courses are where you're doing a course that is related to a job, such as hairdressing or carpentry. You're testing out if you'd like to work in that area while also gaining professional qualifications to allow you to work in that field. How brilliant is that? Subject Qualifications at College: Many colleges will also run subject qualifications, such as art or music. With these courses, you go in for a full-time course but you're only doing one subject. That's where it's different from a sixth form. For example, you can go to a sixth form at either a college or a school and study something like art or music, but you'll be studying it alongside other subjects. Alternatively, you can go to a college and just do that one subject full-time without any other subjects. That's the big difference between the two. Apprenticeship: These aren't your only choices; there’s even more! You might have heard of apprenticeships. Apprenticeships are really cool because you do approximately four days a week at work and the equivalent of around one day a week doing the study element. That could be at a college, a training center, or with a trainer actually coming to your place of work to do the teaching. Typically, it's about 20% of your apprenticeship time where you'll be doing the study element. Apprenticeships are great because you also get paid and earn an apprenticeship wage, so it's a fantastic way to start developing a career. Work-Based Training: Alongside apprenticeships, you might not have heard of what's called work-based training. Some companies offer work-based training, which is not a full apprenticeship recognized for government funding, but still involves learning towards a certain trade or job while on the job. It's not the full apprenticeship, but it’s another option that’s often overlooked. Volunteering with Training: There are even more choices! You might want to consider volunteering with training. If you're not ready for a full apprenticeship, you could do some volunteering, gain work experience, and do a little bit of training on the side to build up your confidence and prepare for an apprenticeship. That's another option. Study Programme with a Training Provider: We’ve got one more option left. If you’re not feeling ready for any of those other choices, that’s absolutely fine. We're all different and we all want to do different things. You might want to consider a study program with a training provider. Many of these programs are set up for young people who might be feeling anxious or not quite ready for college, sixth form, apprenticeship, or other choices. They focus on building confidence and getting ready for the future. Some of these programs are specifically aimed at young people with additional educational needs to help build the skills needed to move forward. Supported Apprenticeship: A quick shout-out about apprenticeships: If you have additional educational needs, you can also do a supported apprenticeship, where you get extra help to access the apprenticeship. You can also do what's called a supported internship, which is like volunteering but with support to access it. Now, all of these different options have different entry criteria, so you need to check those criteria carefully and attend some open days. When you go to those open days, you're going to need to ask some questions. I recommend you check out our next video on questions to ask on open days—you're going to love it!
There are lots of different types of course that you can access at Post 16 and Post 18 learning. Each course will have entry requirements that you will need to pay attention to.
Here are some examples:
Supported Learning – These courses are specifically designed for young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. They have a flexible curriculum that can meet your needs. These courses are designed to increase your confidence, self-esteem, self-awareness, employability skills and to increase your independence skills. Courses are usually offered at Pre-entry through to Level 1.
Foundation Learning – These courses are available to give you confidence and to develop your skills. They may lead onto higher level courses. On these courses you will develop your personal and social skills, take part in projects, enhance your skills for studying and learning and learn about different career options. You will also continue to do Maths and English, that are important for your future.
Apprenticeships – These courses provide real jobs where you can earn a wage whilst you learn and complete a qualification. You will be in a work environment and learn alongside experienced staff.
T-Levels – These courses give you a mixture of classroom learning and work-place experience.
Vocational Courses – These courses are practical qualifications that allow you to gain skills and experience in a specific industry area, such as construction, childcare, hair and beauty, or hospitality and catering.
A-Levels – These courses are subject-based qualifications that are usually assessed by exams. The provide an academic route. Most students choose around three subjects to study.
Supported Internships – These courses have an unpaid work-based study programme to support you to take the first steps into employment or further training.
Study Programs – These courses bring together support to get a job and live independently. Study programmes include qualifications, work experience and life skills.
You can find information about other Post 18 options on The National Careers Service Website.
You can find information about Post 16 education providers on the Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottingham City Council Local Offers:
Some young people require more specialist support, than a mainstream college or Post 16 centre can offer, and there are several Specialist Post 16 colleges available in our local area.
You can read more about specialist post 16 colleges at the Notts Help Yourself website.
There are many universities across the county that offer the opportunity to study for a higher education qualification, such as a foundation degree, a degree, or a Master’s degree. Many students with disabilities apply through UCAS each year to study at a university and access a range of support to help them succeed.
You can find out more on the UCAS website.
Supported Learning
Qualification: Pre-entry through to Level 1.
Foundation Learning
Qualification: Foundation Learning courses allow you to gain qualifications at Entry level. You can choose courses at Entry 1, Entry 2 and Entry 3 levels.
Examples of an entry level qualification:
- Entry level functional or essential skills
- Entry level awards and diplomas
- Entry level certificates (ELCs)
- Entry level English for foreign language speakers (ESOL)
Level 1 Qualifications
Examples of Level 1 qualifications:
- Equivalent to GCSE (grades 1-3)
- Level 1 awards, diplomas and certificates
- Level 1 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)
- Music grades 1, 2 and 3
Level 2 Qualifications
Examples of Level 2 qualifications include:
- Equivalent to GCSE (grades 4-9)
- Intermediate apprenticeships
- Level 2 awards, diplomas and certificates
- Level 2 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)
- Music grades 4 and 5
Level 3 Qualifications
Examples of Level 3 qualifications include:
- AS and A level
- Access to Higher Education Diploma
- Advanced Apprenticeship
- International Baccalaureate
- Level 3 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)
- Level 3 BTEC awards, diplomas and certificates
- Music grades 6, 7 and 8
Level 4 Qualifications
Examples of Level 4 qualifications include:
- Higher National Certificate (HNC)
- Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE)
- Level 4 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)
- BTEC Professional Awards, diplomas or certificates
- Higher Apprenticeships
Level 5 Qualifications
Examples of Level 5 qualifications include:
- Foundation Degree
- Higher National Diploma (HND)
- Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE)
- Level 5 BTEC Professional awards, diplomas and certificates
- Level 5 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)
Level 6 Qualifications
Examples of Level 6 qualifications are:
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Professional Graduate Certificate in Education
- Graduate Diploma
- BTEC Advanced Professional diplomas, certificates and awards
- Level 6 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)
- Degree Apprenticeship
Level 7 Qualifications
Examples of Level 7 qualifications include:
- Master’s degree
- Integrated master’s degree
- Postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE)
- Postgraduate BTEC Advanced Professional
Level 8 Qualifications
Examples of Level 8 qualifications include:
- Doctorate or PhD
- Specialist awards, certificates and diplomas

SEND Local Offer
The Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council SEND Local Offers are a great resource for finding events, support and activities in your area.
City Council County Council