What options you have for education or training after year 11, what qualifications you can get, get support for education, employment or training.
There are three main choices after year 11:
- continue to study full time
- get an apprenticeship or traineeship
- work or volunteer while studying part time
This education and training is free if you start before you turn 18.
Study full time
Where to study
You can stay at your current school or move to a sixth form at a different school, a sixth form college, a further education college or another college.
See a list of sixth forms and sixth form colleges.
What qualifications you can get
Subject based qualifications such as:
- A levels: two year courses with some coursework or practical assessments followed by an exam
- The international baccalaureate: a two year study programme that covers a range of subjects
You normally need:
- at least five GSCEs at grades 4 to 9 (or an equivalent), and
- strong GCSE grades in the subjects you want to study
Work related qualifications such as:
- BTEC: one or two year courses that focus on a particular type of work or industry
- T levels (from September 2020): two year courses that include an industry placement. Find out more about T levels on GOV.UK
Work or volunteer while studying part-time
You can study a part time course at a college or training provider, while volunteering or working, including being self-employed.
You'll need to work or volunteer for 20 hours a week or more while in part-time education or training.
Courses you can study part time include A levels, BTECs and NVQs.
Get an apprenticeship or start a traineeship
Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship means you work, get paid a wage and are trained at the same time. You can gain a qualification as part of your apprenticeship.
There are apprenticeships in many different kinds of work, from engineering and agriculture to media and tourism.
You can do apprenticeships at:
- intermediate level (GCSE equivalent)
- advanced level (A level equivalent)
- higher level (foundation degree equivalent)
- degree level (bachelor's or master's degree equivalent)
Find out more on our apprenticeships site or check out apprenticeships on gov.uk.
Traineeships
A traineeship is a training course that includes work experience and can help you get the skills and experience you need to do an apprenticeship. It lasts up to 6 months.
Find out more about traineeships on GOV.UK.
Volunteer
If you're not in employment, education or training (NEET) you can get work experience and learn new skills through volunteering. Find out more about volunteering on GOV.UK.
Get help understanding your options
- visit the Post 16 Participation website
- email post16participation@bristol.gov.uk
- call 0117 352 5750
Get support with education, employment or training
Fill in this form to refer yourself or a young person for post 16 education, employment or training support.
Refer a young person for education, employment or training support