I Don’t Want To Go To Uni… What’s Next For Me?

For many people, university isn’t on the cards, and thousands of students leaving secondary schools and colleges each year opt for an entirely different path. Let’s examine some of those options here.

There are many pros and cons to attending university. On the plus side, you get to study something that you truly love and care about, and there is a greater degree of independence and, of course, the potential to earn more over your lifetime. On the downside, it takes years out of your life, is very expensive, and you’re not always guaranteed the job you want on completion. University open days are a great way to discover if university life is really for you before you make any solid decisions about your future.

Take a degree apprenticeship

If you want to learn on the job and only attend lectures and classes occasionally, then a degree apprenticeship is an excellent way to do this. It is the same academic level as an undergraduate degree, but you will spend only about 20% of your time studying and 80% working. This is the usual route for those wishing to enter a trade such as automotive or aerospace and for students desiring to work in the construction or engineering industries.

The beauty of this option is that you will work a few days per week onsite, learning a skill and then being able to apply those skills to real-life paid jobs. All training is paid for, and you will get paid a wage for your work. This route means you will be working in your desired field earlier and will have much more hands-on and practical experience. 

This type of degree is structured so that assignments you complete along the way will go towards your final marks and the end-point assessment won’t simply focus on the academic learning but also the practical skills and experience you have gained along the way. This can be a very good alternative for you if you do not see yourself as academic but learns by doing rather than from a textbook. 

The downside is that you will not have the traditional university experience that some people look forward to as you will not be at university full time. You will also not be eligible for additional financial help, but you will be earning a real wage. 

Go on a traineeship

Many apprenticeships require students to hold the basic qualifications at GCSE level such as English or Maths, but for students not adept at these subjects, a traineeship is available which will bring you up to scratch before entering the apprenticeship of your choice. This is a good option if you are not particularly academic but want to work in a field which requires a certain amount of academic ability, combined with very practical knowledge and expertise.

You will learn skills on the job related to your chosen trade; however, much of the course involves learning the basics of secondary education. This course can also be taken by adult learners who did not pass exams at school.

A traineeship is designed to lead to a full apprenticeship, a job or further education and is a good option for you if you have struggled academically at school or with exams. It is a great first step.

Study something else

There are other courses out there which can lead to fulfilling careers. For example, if you want to work as a massage therapist or in holistic therapies, then a degree won’t be the best option. If your chosen profession is that of a flight attendant, then college might be a better fit for you. There are many many other ways of studying which can lead to fulfilling and prosperous careers.

Have a gap year

Tired of books, pencils and homework? If you have the funds, then why not jet set to a foreign destination for a year after you finish Sixth form or college and explore the wider world? If this is your ideal, then you need to plan well in advance regarding funding, accommodation and work to support yourself.

A gap year is a great opportunity to travel and expand your worldview, life and world experience, but you don’t need to go abroad to do this, although many do. A gap year means different things to different people; for some, it is a good way to take time out and explore their options. If you have secured a university place, delaying this for a year is often possible, with the university holding your place. 

Or it could be that you haven’t managed to get the grades you want and would like to improve your chances by boosting your personal statement with work experience, resitting your A-levels, or getting some work experience. 

Go straight into full-time employment

If you have the basic literacy and numeracy skills obtained from your GCSEs, you can find a job pretty much anywhere – albeit an entry-level position. This is the classic ‘work your way to the top situation, so while you may start out, for example, as a bartender, this can quickly evolve into being a bar manager, later restaurant manager and eventually into running your very own business from the skills you’ve picked up along the way.

This choice gives you the freedom to choose from a number of professions covering sectors mainly in retail, but it also opens the door to work in travel and tourism and so much more. What’s more, you’ll be paid a full-time wage, which gives you immediate freedom, unlike someone tied down for four years on a university degree.

Verdict

Going to university can also mean racking up a large amount of student debt; whilst this isn’t the same as racking up the same amount on personal loans or credit cards, you won’t pay back student loans until you earn over a certain threshold and even then the amount you pay back is very affordable each month, it is still overwhelming for many. 

Higher education and university aren’t what everyone wants, if you don’t want to go to uni then there is no shame in choosing a different option. Pre-pandemic statistics showed that large numbers of students did, in fact, struggle to get a job in their chosen field after graduation, often because of a lack of practical and hands-on experience. Showing that it is not always the best path. 

Read this for more helpful posts for students: All About Degree Apprenticeships.