Full time study

After year 11, you can study full time at a school sixth form or a college.

You can pick a provider in Lancashire or somewhere else. Sometimes, a place outside Lancashire might be better because it's closer to your home or has the course you want.

You can see a map of the school sixth forms and colleges in Lancashire.

Types of courses

There are two main types of courses: academic and vocational/technical. You can choose from lots of subjects.

Courses have different levels - the higher the level, the harder the course. There are 9 qualification levels and you can read more about qualification levels on GOV.UK.

Academic

A levels

A levels are:

• two year courses with an exam at the end
• level 3 qualifications
• one of the main routes to university

Most students take three A level subjects but you might be able to combine them with another qualification. Ask your chosen school sixth form or college what they offer.

International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes

IB programmes are:

• studied over two years
• a good route into University

There are six subject groups to choose from, including Language and Literature and Mathematics.

Not all school sixth forms or colleges offer the IB Programme so you'll need to check with your preferred provider.

Vocational technical qualifications

Vocational technical qualifications:

• are available in lots of subjects
• include NVQ and BTEC qualifications
• provide practical learning and skills about specific job sectors, such as travel and tourism
• are created with help from businesses to give you with the right knowledge and skills for work
• mainly lead to a job but can also help you study at a higher level, such as university

T Levels

T Levels:

• are two year courses at Level 3, the same as three A Levels
• provide 80% technical learning and 20% working in a real job or industry placement (around 45 days or 315 hours)
• provide real-world experience in your chosen industry
• include English and maths if you didn't get at least a GCSE grade 4 in these subjects
• are designed with professional bodies and employers
• are available in lots of different job sectors across Lancashire
• are assessed through projects, tests and exams
• will help you to get an apprenticeship, skilled employment or go to university

If you aren’t quite ready for a T Level, you may be able to do the Level 2 Foundation Year. This will help you get the skills and knowledge you need to move onto a T Level in the future.

For more details on T Levels in Lancashire, visit the SORTED website.

You can find more information on T Levels on the T Levels website. You can also use your postcode to search the T Levels website to find out which T Levels are available in your local area.

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