As I prepare to leave sixth form, I’ve found myself asking the same question facing thousands of young people across the country: what comes next? For generations, university was often seen as the default route after sixth form. Today, however, students have more options than ever before, from apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships to employment and even gap years.
University tuition fees in England currently stand at up to £9,535 per year, while degree apprenticeships allow students to gain a degree while earning a salary. As apprenticeships have expanded into more industries and professions, many students like me are increasingly weighing up the benefits and drawbacks of both routes before deciding on their future.
Personally, I’m leaning towards a degree apprenticeship and for me, it offers the best of both worlds.
I’d rather do a degree apprenticeship than go to university because it gives you the opportunity to earn while you learn. You gain work experience, receive a salary and still achieve a degree. It also offers more certainty about your future, as many employers retain apprentices after they complete their course.
With university, you’re guaranteed an education, but you’re not guaranteed a job afterwards and you can be left with significant student debt.
However, after speaking to fellow students, it became clear there is no single answer when it comes to deciding the best route after education.
For aspiring motorsport engineer Heidi French, an apprenticeship feels like the right fit.
“I learn better in a hands-on environment rather than lectures. Not only that, but the cost of university is a lot and there is no guarantee I would get a job afterwards,” she said.
Although Heidi originally expected to attend university, her plans changed as she explored different career opportunities.
“More and more apprenticeships are opening up for different roles and people are understanding how they learn better, which in some cases is apprenticeships not universities.”
Not every student shares that view. For Isabella Lau, university remains the only realistic route towards her long-term ambition of becoming a doctor.
“I want to study medicine to become a doctor, so I kind of have no choice but to go to university if I want this future pathway,” she explained.
She believes university offers opportunities that are difficult to replicate elsewhere.
“It provides me the opportunity to learn from professionals in a very educational environment, which personally helps me absorb more knowledge and gain new skills.”
Like many students, however, she acknowledged concerns around the cost of higher education.
For Isis Jefferies, the decision is still undecided.
“For me, it is between a degree apprenticeship or uni,” she said.
“The fact that you don’t go into debt is more enticing than uni, but you don’t get as much freedom or experience.”
She believes degree apprenticeships have clear financial benefits, but worries students may miss out on parts of the traditional university experience.
“A lot of people say uni was the highlight of their life and, if you don’t get to go, you’re not going to have that experience.”
Not everyone I spoke to was choosing between university and apprenticeships.
One student, who asked not to be named, plans to take a gap year instead.
“I’m taking a gap year to work and travel. I wanted to take some time to see the world and have new experiences while I’m still young because tomorrow isn’t promised and I don’t want to regret not doing more when I was younger.”
Their comments highlighted another pathway that is becoming increasingly common among young people, taking time out before committing to further study or a long-term career.
To understand whether attitudes towards university have changed, I asked the Headteacher of New College Swindon whether university is still viewed as the default option after sixth form.
She said:
“Today’s school leavers have more career pathways available to them than ever before.
“Apprenticeships, in particular, have expanded significantly in recent years, offering a wider range of opportunities across different industries.”
She pointed to the support available through New College Swindon’s careers, apprenticeships and employer engagement teams, which help students explore different options.
“For many young people, an apprenticeship provides an excellent way to gain valuable workplace experience, develop industry-specific skills, and begin building a successful career while earning a salary.”
The Headteacher also highlighted the success of the college’s apprenticeship programmes.
“More than half of our apprentices join us directly from school or college and go on to thrive in their chosen fields.
“Through access to cutting-edge facilities, expert guidance from experienced teaching staff with valuable real-world experience, and strong employer partnerships, our apprentices develop the confidence, skills and knowledge needed to make a successful transition into the workplace.”
After speaking to students with very different ambitions, one thing became clear: university is no longer automatically seen as the next step after sixth form.
For some students, it remains essential to achieving their career goals. For others, apprenticeships offer valuable experience and financial security. Some are still deciding, while others are choosing to take time out and explore the world before making a commitment.
The question facing many young people today is no longer whether they should continue learning after sixth form, but which pathway is right for them.
