01 February 2023

After you have taken (and hopefully passed!) your A Levels, you might be unsure as to what to do next. This Go Construct guide will help you with your career options after A Levels. 

What’s next after A Levels? 

FE college 

Through further education (FE) colleges you can build technical, vocational or academic skills in a wide variety of subjects. FE courses can prepare you for a specific career path or higher-level qualifications. You are likely to have several colleges or training providers within your local area. A Levels are not essential to apply for courses at FE colleges; usually you only need GCSEs, but check with your local college to find out the specific entry requirements.  

University 

University is often regarded as the natural next step after A Levels. Before you apply, however, you should consider if going to university is necessary for the career you’re interested in. Does it require a degree? If so, it could be a job like surveying, construction management or architecture. Each university will have their own entry requirements, based on UCAS points. Research which university offers the right course for you and think about what you want to get out of university life. It can be a great experience, but may also burden you with considerable debt.  

Advanced, higher or degree apprenticeship 

Advanced, higher or degree apprenticeships are great ways to gain practical, work-based skills, and to acquire the experience needed to enter an industry at a higher than entry level. Some employers recruiting for higher apprenticeships will look for candidates with passes in relevant A Level subjects. For degree apprenticeships you will definitely need A Levels. They allow you to work and study at a university, and the qualification you achieve is equivalent to a bachelor’s (Level 6) or master’s degree (Level 7).  

Working in construction with A Levels

Level 3 vocational qualifications 

To understand how academic qualifications like GCSEs and A Levels relate to vocational qualifications like NVQs and apprenticeships, they are graded according to their NVQ Level. There are 7 NVQ levels. A Levels are classed as a Level 3 qualification, the same level as an advanced apprenticeship or NVQ Level 3.  

Higher apprenticeship in construction 

If you have A Levels you have achieved the entry requirements to apply for a higher apprenticeship. These are NVQ Level 4 qualifications that can lead to a permanent job, but higher apprenticeships can take up to five years to complete. You will be a very employable candidate after completing a higher apprenticeship in any sector of construction.  

Some construction careers to consider 

If you want to explore a career path in construction that requires A Levels, here are some of the jobs you could do.  

Quantity surveyors estimate and control costs for large construction projects. They make sure that structures meet legal and quality standards. Quantity surveyors are involved at every stage of a project. Whether they’re working on residential, commercial or industrial projects, clients rely on them to ensure that the final outcome is value for money. Trainee quantity surveyors have usually gained an undergraduate degree in quantity surveying or a relevant subject, and possibly hold a postgraduate surveying qualification.

Trainee quantity surveyor

Building technicians assist with essential tasks around construction projects and building works. As a building technician, you could be overseeing a range of tasks, from monitoring the progress of builds, to negotiating with suppliers, preparing site plans and estimating costs. Some routes to this career can be via university, perhaps by completing a foundation degree or HND in a subject such as construction and the built environment, surveying or civil engineering.

Building technician

Interior designers help to curate or renovate the inside spaces of buildings, so they are functional and aesthetically pleasing to homeowners or business clients. Interior designers recommend wall colours, lighting, fittings, furniture and fabric to enhance a space. They also oversee structural design elements within a room, such as in-built shelving, stairs, ceiling designs and more.  1 or 2 A Levels are needed for entry onto a foundation degree course, or 2-3 A Levels for an undergraduate degree in interior design or interior architecture.

Interior designer

The job of a heritage consultant is to manage construction and restoration projects on heritage sites, such as historic or listed buildings, landscapes, museums, castles and other properties. They provide guidance on heritage issues and formulate strategies to manage the properties under their stewardship. These roles often appeal to people with an interest in history as well as buildings and architecture, so employers usually look for graduates who have a postgraduate qualification in heritage management or historic conservation.

Heritage consultant

Discover over 170 construction careers 

If you are interested in a career in construction, there is one place to come for all the advice and information you need. Go Construct has detailed insights and summaries of over 170 different career paths in the construction industry, from civil engineering to interior design.  

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