Hello again! So, you’ve just survived the GCSE gauntlet, made your choices, and are now on the road to the next challenge. Maybe you have even treated yourselves to a calming drink or three while your teen lay face down on the sofa, muttering about never wanting to see another exam paper or school again. But now comes the next big question: what’s next after Year 11? Can you believe it’s time even to ask that question with the pressure of exams barely being felt?
Let’s start with the basics, shall we? There are a few main paths forward (if we can get them off the Xbox, that is). In the UK they can either (1) stay on at school for A-Levels or BTECs, (2) take on the working world with an apprenticeship (picture: early mornings, real jobs, shock!), or (3) head to Further Education (FE) colleges for typically something hands-on, like hairdressing or engineering. Now, in Dubai, things are a tad simpler because our kids don’t have FE options, so it’s mostly A-Levels or BTECs. The latest addition is the IFP (International Foundation Programme) through some universities post-GCSE, which might pique their interest if they aren’t ready for the full Sixth Form experience and are having a meltdown about staying in school “for another two years”.
Now, if your teen’s are choosing the traditional Sixth Form route, brace yourselves for two years of A-Levels, IB or BTECs. The decision-making usually happens around February of Year 11, with some schools asking students now, which, let’s be honest, is peak “I don’t know what I’m doing” season for most teens. These are kids who take longer picking a Friday night movie than their A-Level subjects. But here’s the thing: they don’t have to have it all figured out yet. Results day in August is the great “whoops, let’s reconsider” moment anyway.
If you’re planning for UK university, now’s the time to think about subject requirements. A-Level science and maths for engineering? Check. Economics or business with maths for a career in finance? All good. Just get them through three A-Levels or equivalent, and they’re sorted for most UK universities. Heading to the US? you IB may be an easier option. Other requirements apply, but let’s save that chat for another column. And just a heads-up for anyone considering BTECs: they’re fab for the UK, but always check the fine print if your future scholar is thinking of Europe or elsewhere. Yes, they may have spent their gap year as a ski instructor in Switzerland and fallen in love with the opportunity, but a BTEC will be unlikely to make the cut there.
Now, the juicy bit – money, if you are thinking of UK university routes. UK university tuition is capped at £9,250 a year if they’ve got “home status,” plus around £7,000 for accommodation, and let’s not forget the pocket money for student essentials: a new North Face puffer, enough ramen noodles to last a lifetime, and the occasional very important night out. But “home status” is tricky – you’ll need a UK address, residency rules, and possibly a letter from your nan (or at least just her post box will do). If you’ve been out of the UK for over two years, home status isn’t a given, even if they’ve got a British passport. But don’t panic; there are of course ways and opportunities to get “home status”. Due to the the way the Government funds university places if your child is looking for something in a less popular college with a less popular course and they have a British passport it is very likely you will be offered home status. Fun fact: just to make it more complicated students from here will often get a mix of home and international status offers, which keeps us all on our toes. And while student loans and home status are two different beasts, it’s worth a look – although student loans are sometimes more elusive than finding your teen’s AirPods, but it’s possible and many parents here do jump on the search successfully for this particular holy grail. For our “international” kids, the fees are often much higher, and I will repeat it again every university has its own special definition of “residency.” Students have to apply through UCAS, which lets them apply to five universities, and they end up with a “firm choice” (aka, their top pick) and an “insurance” choice (backup plan) and of course a chance to change their entire direction just before they leave for College by applying for something totally different through clearing.
So, there it is: the map from GCSEs to whatever comes next. Take a deep breath and remember they don’t need every answer now; they just need enough to reach the next step. Please encourage them to explore the subjects that spark a flicker of interest (however faint!) and start doing a bit of research. Sites like UCAS and Unifrog are great for that – endless rabbit holes for you to fall down as a Mum, and yes, things have changed since we were there. Just remember, mums, it’s all part of the process, and if one door closes, another one usually opens (or at least has a window they can shimmy through). Cheers to the next adventure – we’ve got this!