What to do after GCSEs - Our GCSE Results day guide

How was GCSE results day for you?

Whether you have achieved above and beyond what you were hoping for, or feel disappointed in your results, you may be wondering what happens after GCSEs. Can you do an apprenticeship with your GCSEs? What are your options after passing? What are the next steps if you don’t get the GCSE grades you wanted?

There will always be choices available to you, especially in an industry like construction. We’re going to look at some of the options based on your situation.

I passed!

Great news! There are a number of options available to you now.

A-Levels

If you enjoy school and studying, then A-Levels are the obvious next choice. If you are thinking about going to university in a couple of years time, then you will need to have some A-Levels under your belt. But even if you hope to start work or some kind of vocational training when you’re 18, A-Levels are not a waste of time. There are a number of apprenticeships, including advanced and degree apprenticeships, that have certain A-Level results as an entry requirement. 

Apprenticeships

If you’ve passed English and Maths at GCSE then you should be able to get onto an apprenticeship, though some employers may ask for GCSEs in more subjects. Apprenticeships offer a combination of a job with vocational training and study, leading to a nationally recognised qualification. Apprenticeships usually take 1-3 years to complete and really set you up for the world of work. You get paid a salary like a normal job and may even be offered a job at the end of your apprenticeship.

College courses

You may be able to take a college course to get skills in the trade or field you are interested in. You might not have to pay for these courses, especially if you are under the age of 24 and they are equivalent to a GCSE or A-Level.

Work experience

Picking up work experience with an employer is a great way to improve your prospects, even if you have passed your GCSEs. Working during the summer holidays, at evenings or weekends will impress potential employers.

My grades aren’t what I expected

Don’t worry, even if you didn’t get the GCSE grades you wanted there are still plenty of options open to you.

Apprenticeships

As you may have been told in school, Maths and English are the two subjects that provide the widest range of opportunities if you pass them at GCSE. However, all is not lost if you have failed GCSE Maths and English. You can still be accepted for apprenticeships if you have other attributes such as work experience. Your employer may ask you to take what are called Level 1 Functional Skills qualifications in both Maths and English. 

Entry level roles

Some jobs in construction do not require formal qualifications. You can learn on the job and build up your work experience in entry-level roles, such as labouring or groundworking. Your employer may be able to provide training so you can develop your skills and advance in your career. 

Resitting exams

You could always retake some of your GCSEs. You may be able to do this as part of your apprenticeship. Some apprenticeships, like those at Level 1, are open to people who missed out on English and Maths at GCSE. The employer is still likely to ask you to resit the exams, but the apprenticeship may be more suitable for students who prefer working with their hands or learning practical skills.

My GCSEs and future career paths

Going on to university may be something you have considered, but don’t worry, you don’t have to make that decision yet.

Exploring degree apprenticeships

If university life sounds fun, but you don’t like the idea of more classroom time in lectures, then a degree apprenticeship might be ideal. You will still spend a significant amount of time doing on-site work or shadowing, but the learning portion of your time will be undertaken in a university environment. In many ways, it can be seen as the best of both worlds of apprenticeships and university.

Do universities look at GCSEs?

Universities are more interested in what A-Levels you have studied and the grades you got in those. So it doesn’t matter too much about the GCSE subjects you took. Universities will be looking for good A-level grades in relevant subjects to the course you apply for.

Exploring roles in construction

If you want to work in construction but are not sure how to get started after your GCSE results, don’t worry. If you’ve passed a subject that you have a particular interest in, you could consider pursuing that further. For example, if you have good results in Geography, you could consider a role such as town planning or human resources. If Physics was one of your best subjects, you may be interested in a career in engineering, which you could pursue with an apprenticeship or by completing relevant A Levels and then a university or college course.