• About to finish school or college or part way through a course?
• Weighing up Further or Higher Education?
• Want to work or study abroad?
• Thinking about your next move onto a course or into a job or training?

Further Education

If you have left school or college, you could still go on to further education. Further full time education could be in either school, sixth form college or a college of further education. You might take a pre-employment course, more GCSEs, AS/A2 Levels, BTEC Qualifications, Apprenticeship, NVQs or other vocational courses. There's lots to choose from>

Click here to view the Futures4me database for local full time learning and training opportunities.  

Find out more about different qualifications at www.dfes.gov.uk/qualifications or telephone 0345 665588

Higher Education

Options in Higher Education are broad, there are a huge range of courses at different types of institutions, some geared towards a career, some include vocational training and some more academic study. You need to think about the subjects you are interested in, what career options they give you and the qualifications you need. Connexions Centres, schools and colleges have information in their careers libraries and on databases, so you can find out the range of courses, the different subjects where you can study, and the required qualifications.

If you are thinking about college or university visit www.dfes/gov.uk/aimhigher

Look at our Education section for more information.

Exam Results

You can find revision tips for your exams and lots more information at www.s-cool.co.uk

Need advice after results? Didn't do as well as you thought, or did better? We can help you make the best of your grades and work our what to do next.

Training

You can train full time or "learn and earn" by training and working together. Apprenticeships offer a combination of work and qualifications that lead to an NVQ Level 3. Learning and Skills Councils offer work based training leading to NVQs. To find out more about Apprenticeships visit  www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Click here to view the Futures4Me database of learning and training opportunities after Year 11.

Look at our Training section for more information.

Employment

A job will give you the opportunity to earn money, learn skills in a practical situation and allow you to be more independent. It is important to check the amount of training you will be offered as lack of qualifications may block your future prospects.

If you are still in full-time education, let your Connexions Personal Adviser know that you are looking to get a job - they may be able to tell you about some current, or future vacancies, and help you think about how a job fits in with your overall career plans. it is very important that you continue to learn and develop key skills to equip yourself for the future.

Job search	Lots of useful links for newspapers, agencies and job information sites, in Britain and abroad
Worktrain	National information on working, learning and volunteering opportunities
Vacancies Database< td>	Check out our vacancies database to find out what's currently available in your area

Time Out

Many students take a break before starting their course or beginning a career and universities and colleges increasingly accept deferred entry. But it needs careful planning!

The most popular ideas for students from the South West taking time out include: paid work, study courses, travel, voluntary service and work camps both at home and abroad. For further information on how to work out how to make the best of a year out visit:

www.bunac.org.uk    www.campamerica.co.uk    www.findagap.com    www.gapyear.com     www.yearoutgroup.org       
Working and studying in Europe www.careerseurope.co.uk
If you are interested in a year out in industry http://www.yini.org.uk  
The Fulbright Commission run a US - UK educational exchange programme www.fulbright.co.uk
There's wide range of volunteering opportunities out there, too - look at our Voluntary Work section. 

Lots of information is available at your nearest Connexions Centre including the Exodus database which has information on European and International career opportunities abroad. 

Options at 18+

Your Way Forward Options at 18+ is a publication produced by Connexions West of England and other Connexions companies in the South West to help you find out about:

• HE - degrees and courses - qualifications explained
• Choosing your subject
• Choosing where to study
• How to apply to HE
• Calendar for A Level/Advanced GNVQ/BTEC National students
• Funding your course
• Employment after Higher Education
• Taking Time Out

Click here to View Options at 18+

Click here to request Options at 18+ to be sent to you

All young people are likely to need help of one sort or another – it is part of growing up and moving on. If you have a problem that is stopping you from making decisions about your life, education and career choices, we can help you. You can talk to a Connexions Personal Adviser about any issue that concerns you - or you can telephone or e-mail "Connexions Direct" for confidential help and advice. Look at the other pages on this website for useful information and links or names and addresses of organisations who can offer further information, help and advice on all the issues concerning young people.

Look at our Contacts section and our 1 Big Database for lots of useful organisations, links and telephone numbers on a whole range of issues that affect young people.