1. Scottish Education Post 16 Choices
This section will give an overview of the different options that are open to children once they turn 16 and some of the supports available to them
Before starting ask parents what options they know about for their children once they leave school.
Post 16 Choices

2. Choices at 16 and onwards
Stay on at secondary school and do more qualifications
Apply to do a course at college
Apply for a Modern Apprenticeship
Try to find a job
Can apply to university, once the right qualifications have been acquired
Schools are very good at giving advice and support for applying for university and college.
Universities hold open days and schools will often arrange trips for children to visit or for someone from the university to come and speak to the children. If the school has a careers night try and attend with your child to find out more information.
Modern Apprenticeships are designed to help young people “earn and learn”, they can get qualifications and real experience of working in the sector.

3. College Massive range of courses
Focus on vocational subjects, however, can also be useful as a step on an academic route
Financially, students may be able to claim Education Maintenance Allowance
EMA if in school or college (16-18 years old) and from family with low income- ask school or college student support services for help with applying.
College often has close links with employers and courses can include placements
*If possible have some college prospectuses to show parents the options open to children

4. Modern apprenticeship
Scheme combining work experience and vocational qualification (SVQ)
Different levels of apprenticeship and qualification available
Arrangement vary between providers, so make sure of the details
BEMIS offer support to young people from ethnic and cultural minorities to get an MA placement
MAs range from foundation level which will give an SVQ level 2, though to level 4. Open to young people age
This is often not as well known about and young people from ethnic minorities are under-represented on Modern Apprenticeships.
Bemis can support people who are out of school (so do Skills Development Scotland)

5. University
15 Scottish universities each offering a wide range of courses
No fees for Scottish students (EU citizen, living in Scotland for at least the last 2 years), but check with SAAS if there is any doubt about fees!
Tuition fees are payable for courses at English universities
Each individual university will have different entry requirements
Universities often arrange open days for young people to visit and see what the place looks like, schools may arrange visits or parents and children can visit the university themselves
*If possible bring in university prospectuses to allow parents to see the courses available, the entry requirements etc

6. Applying for university
Apply by October for Oxford and Cambridge, or for most courses in medicine, veterinary medicine/science, and dentistry.
Apply by January for most undergraduate degrees
Apply by March for some Art/Design courses
Always check this year’s deadlines on the UCAS site!
Check for requirements for course, they may be different for different universities

7. Applications – continued
You can apply for up to 5 courses
UCAS has a tariff scheme to weight different qualifications (see their Tariff Calculator)
Fee payable (£12 for one course and £23 for more than one)
If you don’t get offered a place you can apply for “clearing” between June- September
Check the UCAS website at every stage!
If your child does not get the qualifications needed for a course they can go to “clearing”. This is open between July and September and allows young people to identify courses (with vacancies) that interest them and contact the course providers directly to see if they will offer a place. For more details see UCAS website