6 Alternatives To University

Have you decided not to go to University... well, before you throw away your UCAS form, have you weighed up the pros and cons? Leaving home to go to University can be scary and a giant leap into the unknown, but is that enough reason not to go? Or is it the course that is a concern for you? Or maybe the location of the University? Living with strangers? Or the most common reason TOO EXPENSIVE! Whatever the reason may be, make sure you ve thought it through. With the rise of tuition fees and the state of the job market, it s no surprise that many youngsters are beginning to wonder if University is for them. University degrees is not your only passport to employment . We could write a long essay highlighting different answers for this debate, BUT we want to help you in making a decision and provide you with an alternative to University.

Here are 6 different alternatives to University:

1: Apprenticeships and Traineeship: There is a lot of hype in the media about apprenticeships and traineeship. If you decide to go for this route, it will give you the chance to earn while you learn and gain a qualification. Traineeship provides essential training to prepare you for work and gain skills to help you get either an apprenticeship or a job. This is a good way to gain the skills and experience you need for many careers and get on to the job market. It also prepares you for the future world of work. Some University courses do not have work experiences/internships/placements, this leaves some University graduates without the work experience and increased challenges to getting on to the job market. The apprenticeship/traineeship are also tailored to your needs.

2: School Leaver Programmes: Another option similar to apprenticeship is the school leaver programme. These are also very popular and can sometimes incorporate apprenticeship as part of the scheme. They combine work experience with intensive training and a chance to gain a professional qualification or an Undergraduate degree. Yes! That s right, you don t necessarily have to sacrifice a university education. These are very popular in sectors such as finance, law and accountancy and aim to attract good A-level students who do not want to pay the high cost of University or who want to jump straight into a career. To get accepted in this programme is very competitive and entry requirements can be high. However, there are some programmes that will require applicants to have two A-levels. Degrees or professional qualifications are usually built into the programme and employers will often cover or contribute to the cost of completing the qualification. Yes, you got that right! NO tuition fees, or it could be much cheaper at the very least.

3: Gap years: Another alternative to university is taking a year out and gaining lots of skills and amazing experiences. Employers love candidates that have cross cultural experiences. You could take a year out to travel abroad to teach English, learn a new language, Volunteer etc. This will help you to focus on what you want to do next after College and also enhance your CV. Some organisations also provide sponsorship for you to study abroad such as Fulbright.

4: Studying in Europe: Choosing to do a whole undergraduate degree overseas requires a great deal of research, especially if you would like to have financial aid. However, choosing to study in Europe can mean very good value for money thanks to the European un ion (EU) legislation. All UK citizens have the right to pay the same course fees as nationals of the country in which they are studying and are eligible for the same tuition fee grants. With course fees in some countries capped at a fraction of Britain s £9,000 maximum, the savings can be considerable. However, every EU country is different as some countries require students to be living there for 3 5years before they are eligible for grants. Therefore, it is important you do your research.

5: Studying overseas: Studying in another country can be a real benefit for any student, especially if you are thinking of a career which has an international dimension. You can take a whole degree at a University aboard, or include a year overseas as part of your UK degree. Many employers also think studying abroad gives you great maturity and a breadth of experience that makes you stand out from other candidates.

6: Start your own business: If these options don t seem like the right thing for you, then you can start your own business. The world is your oyster. If you have a good idea and the drive to make it happen then GO FOR IT! With the job market at the moment, there has never been a better time to start your own business. Charities such as The prince s trust enterprise programme and Business Angels offer grants and advice to start ups.

If you ve always wanted to join the police or fire service, you don t necessarily need a degree, and learning a trade such as plumbing or electrician can give you a steady career footing from an early age. Whatever you decide, be sure to work hard! Because hard work always pays.