Published: 20th August 2026
There are multiple paths which you can take after your GCSEs. It is okay to be unsure about what you would like to do. If you are unsure, you are now in the right place. STEMprep is here to support all students after their GCSEs. If you need any advice, please get in touch with your tutor.
A-Levels
This is the most commonly taken route by the majority of students after their GCSE examinations, and the most common route for students wishing to go to university, but there are other routes also. A-Levels are usually two-year linear qualifications, involving exams at the end of the two years. Some A-Level courses, such as History or Computer Science, can also include coursework elements that count towards your final grade in addition to exams. These courses are very theory-heavy, so these are best for you if you value skills such as critical thinking and the ability to apply your ideas flexibly.
BTECs
You can study these alongside your A-Levels. Compared with A-Levels, these courses are more hands-on and involve a mix of coursework and examination; examples include Information Technology, Business, and Health and Social Care. BTECs will suit you the best if you enjoy a hands-on approach to learning.
T-Levels
T-Levels are industry focused qualifications designed for people who want to gain work experience while learning. Work experience accounts for roughly 80% of your final mark, with classes making up around 20%. They are two-year courses, include a 315-hour work placement, and hold the same UCAS points as 3 A* grades at A-Level. T-Levels are offered in subjects such as construction; however, not all colleges offer them yet, and not all universities accept them. If you want to go to university after a T-Level, we recommend contacting the university first to confirm they accept T-Level courses.
Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship is where you learn and earn simultaneously by working in industry. Roughly 20% of your time will be in on-the-job training, and the remaining 80% will be spent in the classroom doing some form of learning. Apprenticeships are offered in numerous fields, such as Healthcare, Construction and Education. This option is best for you if you would like to combine work with study to obtain job-specific skills – you can also progress, should you wish to do so, to a degree apprenticeship and not pay tuition fees for university!
Supported Internships
These are six-month to one-year programmes aimed at young people aged 16-24 and are work-based study programmes, targeted at those who have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), with most of the learning taking place in the workplace, and the rest at school or college. Alongside this, you will also follow a study programme which may include qualifications in core subjects such as English and Maths. The aim of a supported internship is to provide sustained work as a route into employment.
