Five alternatives to university
For decades, the path after school has felt almost predetermined: finish your A levels, go to university, get a degree, start your career.
But that path is no longer the only one worth walking, and a growing number of students and families are starting to ask a very reasonable question: is university really the right next step?
It's not hard to see why. Tuition fees in England are rising to £9,790 per year from 2026/27, and the average graduate now leaves university with around £53,000 of student loan debt. Only a fraction will ever repay that in full. Meanwhile, the job market is shifting. Graduate vacancies have fallen by around a third compared with last year, with the Institute of Student Employers recording a record 140 applications per vacancy. Employers across industries are placing more value on skills, experience and character than ever before.
None of this is to say that university is a bad choice. For many students it remains the right one, and we spend a great deal of our time helping young people get into the universities that are best for them. But we also believe that the best guidance doesn't push a student down a single path – it simply helps them find theirs.
So for those who are questioning whether university is for them, here are five alternatives well worth their salt.
1. Degree apprenticeships
Degree apprenticeships are one of the most exciting developments in education over the past decade. They allow students to earn a full bachelor's or master's degree while working for an employer, with no tuition fees to pay and a salary from day one.
Major companies now run degree apprenticeship programmes across a wide range of fields, from technology and finance to engineering and law. Deloitte's BrightStart scheme offers apprenticeships in audit, tax, consulting and technology. PwC's Flying Start and school leaver programmes combine university study with paid work placements. Google runs apprenticeships in digital marketing, software development and data analytics. And Rolls-Royce offers degree apprenticeships in engineering, project management, digital solutions and much more. Competition for places is fierce, which should tell you something about the quality of these opportunities.
You can search and apply for apprenticeships across England on the GOV.UK Find an Apprenticeship portal. For a motivated, career-focused student who wants to learn by doing and avoid the burden of student debt, this is an increasingly compelling option.
2. Starting a business
Launching a business straight out of school sounds risky and bold – and it is – but it has never been more accessible. The tools available to young entrepreneurs today, from AI website builders and social media to crowdfunding platforms and online marketplaces, mean that a good concept, a strong work ethic (crucially) and a willingness to learn can take you a long way.
Many of the skills that matter most in entrepreneurship, things like communication, resilience, creative problem-solving and the ability to build a network, aren't taught in university lectures – they're built through experience. For students with a genuine passion and an entrepreneurial spirit, this post-school path could be your ticket to glory.
3. A gap year with purpose
A gap year doesn't have to mean a year off sedentary on a beach in Thailand. Done well, it is a structured period of exploration that gives students the time and space to build clarity before committing to a particular route.
That might involve travelling of course, but also volunteering, interning in an industry they're curious about or working in a completely new environment – the key is to be purposeful. A gap year can develop independence, build confidence and uncover interests a student didn't know they had. It can also make them a far stronger candidate if they do decide to apply to university later on, bringing genuine life experience to their personal statement and interview if they have one.
4. Vocational qualifications and professional training
Not every career requires an academic degree from a red brick uni. Many industries, from construction and the creative arts to healthcare support and technology, offer professional qualifications and vocational training that lead directly into employment. Programmes such as BTECs, HNDs and industry-specific certifications provide focused, practical learning that prepares students for the workplace from day one.
In some sectors, a relevant professional qualification and hands-on experience will open more doors than a degree in something totally irrelevant. The trades in particular are seeing a real resurgence of interest as young people recognise the stability, earning potential and satisfaction that come with skilled, AI-proof work.
5. Internships and structured work experience
For students who have a sense of the industry they want to work in but aren't sure about committing to three years of study, internships and structured work experience programmes can be the perfect stepping stone. Many companies offer formal programmes for school leavers that provide training, mentoring and a proper introduction to professional life.
These experiences are invaluable for building a CV, developing soft skills and making meaningful connections. They also help students make more informed decisions about their future, whether that leads to full-time employment, further training or even a university application down the line.
Finding the right path after school
Whatever route a student takes, the most important thing is that it's the right one for them. And getting to that decision takes self-awareness, all the information and honest conversations about what they want, what they're good at and what excites them in the long run.
This is exactly what our Futures Programme is designed to support. We pair students aged 17 and above with relatable, accomplished mentors who have real-world experience across a wide range of careers: from medicine and the creative industries to entrepreneurship, finance and beyond. Through personalised one-to-one sessions, students gain clarity about their next steps, develop confidence in how they present themselves and learn practical skills like networking, pitching themselves and building an online presence.
Whether a student is heading to university, considering an apprenticeship, exploring a gap year or thinking about starting something of their own, the Futures Programme helps them approach that decision with confidence and purpose.