Apprenticeships give you the opportunity to gain a qualification while you earn a salary. Apprentices spend most of their time in the workplace learning on the job, and some time (usually one day a week) learning theory in the classroom – sometimes in a school, further-education college or university.

Because apprenticeships are designed to prepare you for specific careers there are loads of different types, so when researching apprenticeships it is worth looking at the level of qualification they will give you and what the balance between work and theory is.

Apprenticeships usually fall into one of four levels: intermediate, advanced, higher and degree. When you take an apprenticeship depends which level you’ll be studying at. Generally you can take any apprenticeship whenever you want after you are 16. However for some of the higher level apprenticeships (the advanced, higher and degree) you’ll either need to show that you have experience working in the area you will be studying in, or have completed some other qualifications. Degree apprenticeships especially will usually ask that you have completed BTEC or A-level study or an advanced apprenticeship before you begin.

Volunteer work can be done for many reasons. Some students want to make a positive contribution to society, while others want to gain the skills needed to pursue certain careers and bolster their CVs.

The amount of time you dedicate to volunteering will depend on your study, work or family commitments. Whether it’s just a few hours a week, a couple of days a month or the entire summer break there is no limit to the amount of time you can spend volunteering. Be realistic and ensure that any voluntary work doesn’t interfere with your university studies, part-time job or other extracurricular activities.

Higher National Diplomas (HND) and Higher National Certificates (HNC) are vocational courses – this means that they focus on preparing you for a specific job or career. Some of the most popular HND courses are in business studies and computer science. Other popular areas of study are tourism, sport and hospitality. HNCs are BTEC level 4 qualifications, and HNDs are BTEC level 5 qualifications.

Most students take them after they have finished studying for a level three qualification such as at college or sixth form.

HNDs and HNCs are perfect for people who have a very clear idea about what they want to do and do not want to spend three years getting a full undergraduate degree.

Higher National Diplomas (HND) and Higher National Certificates (HNC) are vocational courses – this means that they focus on preparing you for a specific job or career. Some of the most popular HND courses are in business studies and computer science. Other popular areas of study are tourism, sport and hospitality. HNCs are BTEC level 4 qualifications, and HNDs are BTEC level 5 qualifications.

Most students take them after they have finished studying for a level three qualification such as at college or sixth form.

HNDs and HNCs are perfect for people who have a very clear idea about what they want to do and do not want to spend three years getting a full undergraduate degree.

Access to HE diplomas are qualifications that are designed to prepare you to go on to study in higher education (this is what the HE stands for!).

They are meant for people who do not have the types of qualifications (like A-levels or BTECs) that will allow them to go on to study at university. This means that a lot of Access to HE diplomas have very few formal entry requirements – but they will usually ask that you demonstrate your commitment to the course, often through the experience you already have and you’ll usually at least have to have completed your GCSEs.

A gap year involves taking a year out of education, usually after you have finished studying further education courses like A-levels or BTECs, before you start university.

The main thing a gap year gives you is time. This means you can think more carefully about the direction you want to take with your education, grow as a person, and fit in lots of exciting things like travel or volunteering. Some people choose to use their gap years to earn some extra money to support themselves while they are at university or even spend time plugging gaps in their knowledge before they return to full-time education.

Universities want to see that you have used your gap year wisely, and not just spent the year relaxing at home. The experiences you have on your gap year, especially things like travelling, charity work, work experience and any additional study can look great on your university application.

At some point, usually when you are in year nine, your teachers will begin to discuss your GCSEs ( which you’ll start in year ten) with you.

There are three subjects which you have to study:

1. English
2. Maths
3. Sciences

If you are in Wales you’ll also have to study Welsh.

There are also some different ways to study sciences. You’ll have to study at least one of the following: biology, physics or chemistry.

You will also study computing, physical education (PE) and citizenship in some form.

So what are my options?

On top of the compulsory subjects you will also be able to choose some additional GCSEs in other subjects. You’ll be able to choose from subjects in four main areas:

1. Arts (E.g. Art & Design, Performing Arts)
2. Design & Technology (E.g. Resistant Materials, Graphics)
3. Humanities (E.g. History, Geography)
4. Modern Foreign Languages (E.g French, Mandarin)

There’s no denying that GCSEs take a lot of time and hard work, and exams are the last (and biggest) hurdle on your way to success. So is it possible to take on your year 11 exams with a smile on your face? We asked Middlesex students for their study secrets.

Aishah:

My number one golden tip for exam success is practice! I know you’ve heard it a million times but guess what, it works!

The best way to prepare for exams is to do as many GCSE past papers as you can. They help you get familiar with the way question are asked and the time pressure, and its one of the most effective ways to remember information quickly.

Thomas:

Create a timetable and keep a checklist so you don’t fall behind in revision or work. If you’re finding it hard to concentrate, leave it for a while and come back to it, but don’t wait until the last minute because your brain won’t have enough time to process it.

Spend three hours a day revising for exams and mix the sessions up a little bit. One day read a book, then the next day do a flip card test and see how much you remember.

We asked some of our students about their experiences of A-levels, BTECs and Access Diplomas so you can get the inside track on your post-GCSE options.

A-Level

Amran Mohamed: A-levels in Biology, Psychology and Economics, AS-level in Chemistry

My experience during A-levels was a bit of a rollercoaster. I did quite a mix of subjects and originally chose Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Psychology. But by the end of the first week of AS I found it really challenging, so opted out of Maths and switched to Economics instead. I picked those subjects to get into the field of science, and Maths was recommended particularly if I wanted to go into medical sciences.

BTEC

Parth Kachhia: BTEC in IT, Geography AS, RE A-level

Personally, I found the BTEC most useful, thanks to all the hands-on experience across the subject, from networking and databasing to hardware and software configuration. With my A-levels I felt it was more about how much I could memorise. The BTEC was all coursework, no exams.

Access to Higher Education Diploma

Yasmin Pena: Access to Higher Education

I completed an Access to HE course for over 19s at college to gain entry into university. It was an alternative to sixth form and it was for one year, three days a week, which allowed me to work part time and save a bit of money before going to university.

John Welsh: Access to Higher Education (Teacher Training)

I studied History and Government & Politcs at A-level. I then took a few years out of education and went on to do an Access course at college before going to study BA Primary Education Middlesex.

Apprenticeship

Dane Mumford: Foundation degree Professional Practice in Construction Operations Management

I have gained the knowledge and understanding of my responsibilities in my role as an assistant site manager through my studies with the modules set out through the foundation degree. The modules have demonstrated to me how we must support our actions in our career by way of reference, research and it’s improved my academic approach with peers in the work place.

Vanessa Stidever: QA apprenticeship in Business Administration

I’ve learnt how to organise events, network with people and deal with clients on the phone. A typical day for me involves answering emails, helping to organise events that are coming up and assisting the director and other people in the team. They’re really lovely – it’s like a family.

The things you study when you take the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBD) is split into two main parts, the Diploma Programme Core, and a set of six subject groups:

1. The arts
2. Individuals and societies
3. Language acquisition
4. Mathematics
5. Studies in language and literature
6. Sciences

The Diploma Programme Core is made up of three elements:

Creativity, activity, service – in this element you complete a project which relates to the three concepts, such as running a club or society, volunteering for a charity, or helping out in your community.

Theory of knowledge – This is all about showing that you understand how knowledge works – if that sounds daunting, don’t worry, you’ll get help! To complete this element students must complete a 1,600 word essay and give a presentation.

The extended essay – The extended essay is a chance to explore a subject that interests you in depth, it is a self-directed piece of research that you’ll write up into a 4,000-word paper.

Middlesex students have been there (and made it!) read their top tips for acing your BTECs and A-Levels.

Whether you are excited about showing how much you have learnt, or are dreading exam day, when it comes to A-Levels and BTECs there is no escaping the pressure.

Thomas:

Try not to stress over your studies too much. Exams don’t suit everybody and you shouldn’t feel like you have to fit in. Try your best and you’ll get the best result you can. If you don’t get the results you expected, it isn’t the end of the road. Colleges and universities offer other ways into higher education, so if you try hard and aren’t afraid to ask for help, you can get where you want to be. Also, don’t think that you have to get to uni as soon as possible like everybody else. I didn’t start university until I was 23. I took time out to work beforehand, which set me up well for being able to deal with personal finances and having responsibilities like paying bills.

Amina:

Choose subjects you are comfortable with. No matter what other people may say about it, stick to your gut feeling about your course choices. Too many times I have heard people say they’re only studying something because of pressure from their parents. If you choose to pursue a career in a subject you’re not comfortable with, you’ll find yourself dreading your future. As the saying goes, ‘choose a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life’.

Try our careers assessment tool ” Discover Me” to find out what you’re good at and the careers that match your personality type.

Discover Me is a 4 part questionnaire where you get to pick the answers that best match your personality. There are no wrong answers -it is not a test-  simply pick the answers that best describe you and your style.

We’ll use your answers to generate a report, to highlight your strengths and identify the best careers options for you.

Go ahead, click below to find out how awesome you are.

Certificates of Higher Education (CertHE) and Diplomas of Higher Education (DipHE) are qualifications that equal either the first year (for a CertHE) or the first and second years (DipHE) of an undergraduate degree.

Most people will take CertHE or DipHE after they have completed college or sixth form qualifications like BTECs or A-Levels. Sometimes people will choose to take a gap year before they start, or even spend some time working before they begin.

Certificates and Diplomas of Higher Education are perfect for people who want a university experience, but do not want to take a full undergraduate degree qualification. The great thing about them is that you will leave university with a recognised qualification, but don’t have to commit to three years of study when you begin.

Certificates of Higher Education (CertHE) and Diplomas of Higher Education (DipHE) are qualifications that equal either the first year (for a CertHE) or the first and second years (DipHE) of an undergraduate degree.

Most people will take CertHE or DipHE after they have completed college or sixth form qualifications like BTECs or A-Levels. Sometimes people will choose to take a gap year before they start, or even spend some time working before they begin.

Certificates and Diplomas of Higher Education are perfect for people who want a university experience, but do not want to take a full undergraduate degree qualification. The great thing about them is that you will leave university with a recognised qualification, but don’t have to commit to three years of study when you begin.

A Top-up degree is equivalent to the final year of an undergraduate degree. These courses are aimed at students who have previously completed a related foundation level degree (or equivalent, e.g. an HND) and they provide a route for students to achieve a Bachelors degree.

Top-up degrees enable students to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding of a particular topic while also receiving an internationally-recognised qualification.

Weekend jobs, work experience, college and university applications – interviews are something we all have to deal with eventually. In this video the experts share what they look for in interview candidates, and their top tips for interview success.

The creative industries are powering creation of jobs and businesses across the UK.

Careers in the creative industries include jobs in 3D Animation, Animation, Advertising, PR & Branding, Creative Writing, Dance, Digital Media, English, Fashion, Film, Fine Art, Games, Graphic Design, Interiors, Illustration, Music, Music Business and Arts Management, Photography, Television, Theatre and Visual Effects and more!

To make your dream job a reality, click below to find out how Middlesex University can get you career ready.

BTECs (which stands for the ‘Business and Technology Education Council’) are vocational qualifications that are taught at lots of different levels. The BTECs will most likely have come across are level 3 BTECs, which most students will study at sixth form or college, after their GCSEs and before University. BTECs usually take one or two years to complete, and being vocational they are a great way to combine practical hands on learning with theory.

Foundation degrees combine academic study with workplace learning. They are easily confused with foundation year courses, but they are actually completely different qualifications. Foundation degrees are designed to give you the knowledge and skills you need to do a particular job or profession really well. This means they are often offered as a route into working with a particular company, and are sometimes even provided by the companies themselves.

Foundation year courses (not to be confused with foundation degrees) are year-long courses that are designed to prepare you to study a particular undergraduate degree. They are usually taught in universities, or sometimes colleges. As well as teaching you the academic skills you need for your future studies they will also prepare you for the type of learning that happens at university.

Foundation years are taken after you have completed college or sixth form qualifications like BTECs or A-Levels. They are taken before you start a full undergraduate degree course at university.

Foundation year courses are designed to prepare you for study at university. Some people take them if they have not quite got the right qualifications for a full degree (for instance, they didn’t get the A-level or BTEC grades they expected), but they are also perfect for students who feel that they are not quite ready for degree-level study, but who want to start their university studies.

Your personal statement is an important part of your UCAS application. It sets up an accurate portrayal of your character to universities. It’s one of the most important things you need to do, and it’s one of the things that your application relies on, but it’s not too difficult to make it perfect. That’s the message from UCAS, the organisation whose main role is to deal with application for British universities.

The word limit is 4,000 characters. It’s your opportunity to share your knowledge of your subject, where you want to go with that knowledge and any past experiences you have had.

Lots of college and university courses, especially creative ones, require that you have a portfolio of work ready when you apply. Portfolios are time consuming to make, but they can be great fun too. Think creatively about the work you are proudest of, and how you present it – some people might prefer to make a blog about their favourite pieces, or work on their own unique presentation book.

You’ll sometimes hear them called ‘first degrees’ or ‘bachelors degrees’ or ‘degree with honours’, and if someone just refers to a degree, or studying at university they are usually referring to an undergraduate degree. They are specialised courses in a huge range of subjects, designed to prepare you for a career or to go on to postgraduate study.

Most people will take an undergraduate degree after they have completed college or sixth form qualifications like BTECs or A-Levels. Sometimes people will choose to take a gap year before they start, or even spend some time working before they begin undergraduate study.

Undergraduate degrees are the most widely studied type of university course, and there are so many different subjects to choose from there is something to suit most people. Undergraduate degrees are great for students who are quite academic, and are designed to give you an excellent understanding of your chosen subject area.

A Masters degree is the most commonly taken postgraduate qualification. It typically lasts for between one and four years, depending on the mode of study

Masters degrees shouldn’t be confused with the Scottish Master of Arts (MA), which is an undergraduate degree awarded by certain universities.

While having a Masters degree can greatly improve your career prospects, the high costs and demands mean that this method of postgraduate study isn’t for everyone.

Full-time Masters degrees usually involve one or two years of study, while part-time programmes last between two and four years. Courses normally begin in September or October, though some start in January or February.

A recent survey showed two thirds of employers look for graduates with relevant work experience because it helps them prepare for work and develop general business awareness. That’s according to UCAS, an independent charity providing information, advice, and admissions services to inspire and facilitate educational progression.

One way to learn if you are suited to a particular career is to organise some work experience with an employer. Even if  it’s only for a few days it will give you important insights into the work. Some schools, colleges and universities may organise this for you – but you can do it yourself!

A-Levels are academic qualifications taught in schools and further education colleges. Most students take three or four A-Level subjects at a time, sometimes combining them with other qualifications such as BTECs.

In some subjects, students can take just the first year of an A-Level as a stand-alone qualification called an AS-Level. Students can combine A-Levels and AS-Levels, for instance taking three A-Levels and one AS-Level.