What to do after Year 13?

Welcome to your post-Year 13 Student Zone

Your guide to your options after Year 13 and Higher Education.

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Life after Year 13:

Life after finishing year 13 or your T-level/ apprenticeship equivalent can be scary as there are so many pathways. But rest assured, we've got you covered.

Read on if you're interested in finding out more about university including...

The benefits of going to university
When and how to apply
Student finance

What can you do after Year 13?

Higher Education

Many young people decide to go to university after they finish year 13. They may want to study a subject they studied at A-level, or a different subject entirely because they are passionate about it, or want to follow a specific career path.

Read below to find out more about university.

Apprenticeship or work

Young people may want to go straight into earning money. They can do this by either getting a job, or by doing an apprenticeship where you work 80% of the time and study 20% of the time.

You can find out more about apprenticeship, and apply for them, on the government website.

Search apprenticeship – Find an apprenticeship – GOV.UK

Take a break

Maybe you just need a break from it all after an intense Year 13. And that's okay! Many students decide to take a gap year, a year in which they potentially volunteer, travel the world, or work before seeking full-time employment or enrolling on to a university course.

It is possible to enrol on to a university course and defer your start date to the following academic year.

Interested in Higher Education?

Explore where all the universities in the UK here!

There are currently 304 Higher Education providers in the UK, meaning that you can study up and down the country!

Click the map to find out where they are.

How do I pay to study at uni?

Tuition fee loans are there to cover the cost of the course. Currently, universities and colleges are able to charge up to a maximum of £9,790 per year for a typical full-time higher education course.

Anyone who meets the eligibility criteria can apply for a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of their course. You would apply for the entire cost of your tuitions fees, and it’s paid straight to the university or college where you study.

Tuition fee loan information

What is a maintanence loan?

Maintenance loans are available to help with the everyday costs of living, for example: accommodation, food, utility bills and socialising etc.

For maintenance loans, the amount you can borrow depends on your family’s household income and when you’ll live, whether staying with parents or carers or moving out. If you’re going to university in London, the maximum loan amount available is higher to account for the higher cost of living in the capital.

Maintenance loan calculator

What is the right course for me?

If you do want to continue your studies at university, choosing a course can be tough. There's so many to choose from and you want to pick the right one!

It’s important you choose a subject you enjoy and will help you reach your goals. Here are some things to help you choose the right subject for you:

Think about what you enjoy day-to-day – maybe this could be part of a future job role?
Explore different job sites and graduate career options to look for ideas on what you’d like to do once you've finished your studies.
Think about your career goals and the qualifications required as part of a person specification.
Take a look at UCAS Course Guides to get an idea of the types of subjects you could study, and the industries graduates go on to work in.
Check out ThinkHigher's Your Future GuideLink opens in a new window

What is UCAS?

UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, is an independent charity, and the UK's shared admissions service for higher education.

It's the one-stop-shop for course guides, application information, university open days, you name it.

They support 1.5 million students every year to explore entering higher education, employment and apprenticeships and manage almost three million applications, from around 700,000 people each year, for full-time undergraduate courses at over 380 universities and colleges across the UK.

UCAS

Should I go to an open day? What support is available for care leavers?

If you are in care, or have experience of being in care in the past, there's lots of support available in higher education to help you with finance, accommodation, and settling in.

Propel

UCAS

University of Warwick Care Leaver Support

Coventry University Care Leaver Support

Care Leavers - Going to Uni PodcastLink opens in a new window

What are the benefits of going to uni?

Going to university is a great way to expand your knowledge, meet new people, and enjoy new experiences. This page contains the key information you need to decide whether university is right for you.

There are personal benefits, career benefits and financial benefits to Higher Education.

Career Benefits

Some careers are only open to those who hold a specific qualification, e.g., becoming a doctor or an architect but in general, holding a higher education qualification can open the doors to many other career opportunities which may not always be directly related to the subject studied. This is because higher education helps people develop a transferable skill set which is looked upon favourably by employers.

Personal Benefits

Studying for a degree can help you personally as well as in your career. Moving away or commuting to university helps you become more independent, take on new responsibilities and manage your time in a way you probably haven't up until now. You learn so many transferrable skills at university and meet new likeminded people who can support you to grow academically and personally.

Financial Benefits

In addition to having a greater range of jobs available to them, graduates also attract higher salaries throughout their working life.

Applying to university timeline

How to apply for university step-by-step guide

Student Resources

Check out UniTaster Day's recent Student Guide to find out what it's like to study and live at university.

UniTaster Days Student Guide