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Post 18 Alternatives to Higher Education

Nikki Coleman

Head of Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance

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  • Apprenticeships
  • School Leaver Programmes
  • Full time Job
  • Gap Year Programmes

Information on all Post 18 options are available on our careers and HE pages on the study directory - Careers Study Directory link

What are the options?

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  • Earn and learn’ 80% at work, 20% time off for study
  • Learn job specific skills and advance in your chosen career
  • Debt free qualification
  • Gain a variety of transferable skills
  • Work towards nationally recognised qualifications, including a degree
  • 4 weeks paid holiday a year

Apprenticeships

Debt Free Qualification!

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Higher Apprenticeships (Levels 4-5): Equivalent to a Foundation Degree, HNC, or HND.

Degree Apprenticeships (Levels 6-7): Lead to a full Bachelor's or even Master's degree.

Apprenticeships

Levels

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Searching and apply for Apprenticeships!

  • Study Directory

  • The Government website - �‘Find an Apprenticeship’

  • Rate My Apprenticeship

  • UCAS Apprenticeship finder

  • www.notgoingtouni.co.uk

  • Individual company websites

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Higher & Degree Listing

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  • Growing interest from students around alternative pathways to University
  • Concerns about financial impact of university, moving away from home, cost of living, feedback from siblings, older friends,
  • Changing landscape:

  • Doctor Medical Degree Apprenticeships 2024,
  • Teaching Degree Apprenticeships 2025,
  • Law Degree Apprenticeships,
  • Green Careers, Sustainability
  • Rigorous selection process often 4/5 steps.
  • Feedback from students - All companies expect a Presentation to be delivered

Higher & Degree Apprenticeships

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  • Apprenticeship Tracker

  • Invited to attend a Careers Meeting

  • Degree Apprenticeship Masterclasses - Examples include, AWE, BA, CISCO, Freeths Law firm, KPMG, Microsoft, NHS, Rawlinson & Hunter

  • VR - Bodyswaps Improving interview and presentation techniques using AI

What support is available

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  • Similar to an Apprenticeship - Earn and learn

  • Designed by the company

  • Professional qualification linked to the sector they want to work in

  • Typically last 3 - 7 years

  • Mainly offered by Banking and Financial companies

School Leaver programmes

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  1. No requirement post 18 to continue in learning.

  • Full time work - A chance to gain some in house skills but no formal qualification.

  • Further training may be offered by the company to develop and move within the company.

  • Further qualifications and or training may be required if moving to another company.

Full Time Job

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Gap Year

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Contacts

The Prospect Trust Careers Services Team are available in College

careers@prospecttrust.org.uk