Post 18 options

Explore your different education, training and career options.

With so many options available to you from age 18, it can be quite daunting to decide what to do next. It's okay if you're feeling overwhelmed or not sure. This advice can help you to start making decisions for your next step.

Deciding your next steps

When thinking about your next step, it’s important to consider what might be the best option for you. It is normal to want to make decisions based on what your friends are doing, but it’s important to choose something you’ll enjoy. 

If you’re not sure what to do next, or are rethinking your choices, it might be useful to consider:

Your options

Once you turn 18, you can:

• apply for further study and continue education part-time or full-time
• take a gap year or volunteer to develop yourself and your skills
• start a full-time job, apprenticeship, internship or training

It’s a good idea to consider your options and think about a backup, in case things change or you decide to do things differently.

Apply for further study

If you decide you’d like to continue education, you have a wide choice of courses you can take. It’s always best to research the career you’re interested in to make sure you choose the best course for you.

 There are lots of things to consider with courses, such as:

• whether you’d like to study an undergraduate degree or look into higher technical qualifications
• whether or not you’ll need to move away from home for study
• if you’ll need to borrow money for tuition fees - you can find out about student finance
• if your preferred career requires a specific qualification

You can look through the further study options on the Skills for Careers website if you want to continue with education.

If you have not got the results you expected or need, you still have options and there's plenty of support for you. 

Take a gap year

Many people choose to take a gap year once they finish with compulsory training or education. 

Find out how a gap year can help you to develop yourself and your skills while deciding your next step.

Volunteering

Volunteering after leaving school may not be paid work, but can help you to gain valuable skills and experience which will look great on your CV or university application and help you decide if that industry or role is right for you. 

There are also some opportunities to earn a qualification whilst volunteering.

Read more about volunteering to see if it's right for you.

Finding a job

Once you’re 18, you can choose to begin full-time work. If you can find a job now which will help you work towards your desired career, then this is a great way into your future role.

Don’t worry too much though as any job you start with will provide you with valuable skills and experience you can use to move into your chosen career.

You can use the opportunity to build up your CV, earn money and find out which parts of work you enjoy or would prefer not to have in the future.

If you’re still not sure what type of job you think would suit you, you could take a skills assessment, which will help to identify careers that might suit your personality and skills.

You can also find out about school leaver programmes, which can lead to permanent roles, and help to gain qualifications whilst working. 

Apprenticeships

If you would like to get a job but would prefer to continue with training, apprenticeships are real jobs which combine work with training and study. You can apply for apprenticeships while you’re still at school. 

You can find out more about apprenticeships on the Skills for Careers website.

Rethinking your options

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to rethink your options, there is lots of information and support to help you. 

Having a backup plan and being open to different routes can be helpful as career plans often have to change.  

Talking through your options can be helpful.

You should use the support networks you have available to you. These could include:

• your teachers or tutors
• your family or friends
• staff in the training provider, university or organisation where you intend to move
• careers advisers

By taking the time to speak to those who can support you, and giving plenty of thought to what you would like to do next, you can consider all of your options and next steps, from retaking exams to changing your plan entirely.

Further information and support

You may be eligible for the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund. This can help you pay for things like books, travel or equipment if you struggle with education or training costs for your chosen path.

You can get support if you have a special education need or disability, including an education health and care (EHC) plan. This can help with choosing your next steps and getting extra help when you are in education, training or work.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

• 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
• 10am to 5pm Saturdays and bank holidays

We're closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Help with exam results

You can get help with your exam results if you need support or advice about what to do next.

We've also got a parent's guide to exam results which outlines how they can support young people during the exam results period.