A-Level Results Are Here – So What Comes Next?

(UPDATED FOR AUGUST 2023) – A-level results day is here, and it can be a stressful time as you assess your next steps. A-Levels are a stressful period, but even worse is the anxiety many feel across the UK on the day the results for A-Levels are finally published. 

With most University courses in the UK requiring specific A-levels, it can seem like your results are the be-all and end-all, but that’s not always the case! A-Levels can also be a great way to get a taste of what interests you and use that for any future study decisions you might make.

The results will officially be published on Thursday, 17th August 2023. You can access them on the UCAS website. If you applied for a position at a University, you will be able to see this here when the results are released.

Firstly, it’s important you know that your results are really an indication of where your strengths lie. If you don’t get the exam results you expected from your A-levels, that’s not the end of the world! Thousands of school leavers go on to different paths other than University. What’s important to remember is that there are many options available to you, no matter the outcome.

Your A-levels can be really useful in seeing what areas you excel at. From arts, science, English, and more, everyone has an area in which they’re the strongest in. The next step is to work out what’s the best further study option for you now that you’re on track to receiving your A-level grades. The hard part’s over. You’ve done your exams, and now it’s time for the fun part of determining your career path!

If you’ve met the grades required for a conditional offer, universities will usually manage the next steps, and may contact you to show proof of your grades. Double check your conditional or firm offer grade requirements in case you’ll need to rely on an insurance choice. 

If your grades are lower than predicted, speak to your college or sixth form to arrange an appeal if you feel you’ve been unfairly graded. Meanwhile, contact your university to explain any grades that could affect your admission into your chosen university. 

It’s good to think about whether you’ll need to explore UCAS clearing options. Although this may not be your ideal choice, there are still lots of excellent universities and courses available through this process. You may be able to find a great alternative course, or a similar course at a university similar to your first or insurance choice university.

You can always retake your A-levels if you’re keen to try again and get the grades needed for your firm choice university. Resitting the following year and aiming for higher grades can be a great way to get your first choice uni. Although it can be frustrating, it can be a good way to get the top grades you need and do better on your a-level exams the second time around.

However, university isn’t the only next step after A-Levels. You can still access apprenticeships, or enter search for vacancies and look for full-time work. 

While many pursue A-Level qualifications to get into a higher education stream by getting a university place, they can also be used to keep your options open for study at a later date. If you still don’t know what to do with your future career, don’t worry. 

Now that your A-Level results are here, that doesn’t mean you need to automatically enrol in University and choose that path; there are plenty more options for you to consider. No, we’re not talking about a gap year or going through the clearing process. We’re talking about choosing to get work experience and following other young people in looking at online courses.

Some employers consider A-Levels enough of an indication that you know your stuff and are skilled enough for the workforce. So despite what most seem to believe, you can definitely pursue the career path you want without having to commit to a four-year degree.

With plenty of online courses available across England, these additional courses can be all you need to get into a field you’re interested in. Here are some high-paying careers that don’t need a University degree that you can start working towards with just your A-Levels.

This challenging area doesn’t always require a degree. You can start out in an assistant role right out of High School, making it a popular option among school leavers, especially with so many areas available, including social media marketing, design, and advertising.

In these industries, experience tends to outweigh a pricey University degree, so why not get started in this area today? If you’ve just received your A-Level results, different courses in Digital Marketing, Social Media Marketing, and SEO can help propel you into a marketing-related role.

Hospitality is one of the UK’s biggest industries and has one of the lowest starting ages of any sector. In this field, it’s less about the number of years you’ve been in the industry and more about your interpersonal skills, motivation, and ability to strive for success. 

There’s a limitless number of starting careers for school leavers, and taking Hospitality, Events Management, or even Wedding Planning courses online can help you find lucrative job roles after you’ve finished your A-levels.

Most people don’t realise that IT is a highly-accessible industry and also one of the most in-demand across England and the world. You don’t need to have stellar qualifications or A-level grades to enter this area. 

IT Support staff and IT Technicians are two popular options for school-leaving tech lovers in England. With great salary and employment prospects, you could be climbing up the ranks in no time– all without a University degree. Taking an online course in Data Management, Cloud Computing, Cryptocurrency, IT Support, or Cyber Security can give you the skills you need to break into a wide variety of exciting IT roles.

Accounting and bookkeeping are two of the more sought-after areas in finance and employ thousands of junior assistants across England, especially in London. Some of the more popular positions that don’t require a degree include accounting assistant, accounts payable trainee, and junior bookkeeping assistant. 

With every business, great and small, needing their accounts well organised and managed, there’s always demand in this area. Getting qualified in Accounting, Bookkeeping, Payroll and Xero can help you to step into a finance-related role without having to study at degree level.

Are you keen to explore courses and find out how to begin your dream career today? See what we have to offer and get started!