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  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. 11-19: your learning and career options
  4. School and other options

Options after Year 14

After year 14 there are lots of options open to you. The choice you make will be influenced by many things such as your career aspirations, financial situation, if you want to continue with your education and also employment opportunities.

If you are unsure about your next steps, you can talk to a Careers Adviser who can help you explore your options and make decisions for next year and your future.

Careers service advice when you receive A Level results

Careers guidance for Year 14 students

Higher Education (HE)

If you are thinking about going to university, you will need to decide on which course to do and which universities best suit your degree choices. You will also need to be fully aware of the application process, entry requirements and application closing dates. It is important to know that these vary between UK (UCAS) and Republic of Ireland (CAO) applications systems.

  • Higher Education
  • Discover Uni 
  • Central Admissions Office Republic of Ireland

Further Education (FE)

FE colleges offer a wide range of vocational and academic courses to suit all ages and abilities up to degree level. If you are interested in going to FE College, you should research the various colleges via their websites and visit open days for further information. Northern Ireland currently has six Regional Colleges and an Agricultural College.

  • Further Education

Training

Apprenticeships

The Apprenticeships programme offers training to 16 year olds and over, across a wide range of jobs and leads to a recognised vocational qualification at Level 2, Level 3 and higher levels. Your employer will pay you just as they would any other employee.

Careers Service advice on apprenticeships

Work Experience Programme

The Work Experience Programme offers short work experience placement opportunities with local employers. These placements can last between two and eight weeks and will give you the chance to try out various tasks in a real work situation and develop skills needed to help you get a job.

Employment

You may want to start working when you leave school but remember that skills, experience and qualifications are important in this very competitive job market. Job vacancies can be found in newspapers or online:

  • Jobs and Benefits Offices
  • Looking for work

Self-employment

If you have an idea for starting your own business you will need good advice. There are organisations that provide help and advice to young people wanting to set up their own businesses.

Gap year

A gap year can be a great opportunity to have a break from studies, earn some money, gain valuable experience, meet new people, increase independence and learn new skills. Universities, colleges and future employers support gap years. A gap year takes planning. It is important to have a goal, rather than just taking a year off without any real direction or purpose.

  • Planning a gap year

Volunteering

Volunteering is a good way to learn new skills and get experience in the workplace, especially if you cannot find work or training straight away. Volunteers can work anything from a couple of hours per week to a full week.

  • Becoming a volunteer
  • Conservation Volunteers in Northern Ireland
  • Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA)
  • Volunteer Now

More useful links

  • Careers Service
  • Helping young people when they get exam results

Chat with a careers adviser

Careers webchat is available from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm.  Outside of these hours, or if all advisers are busy, you can ask questions online.  Before using the webchat service, read the Careers Service’s privacy notice

 Chat with a careers adviser

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School and other options

  • Career A-Z list
  • Career planning for young people with special educational needs
  • Education for 14 to 19 year olds
  • Exams, tests and the curriculum
  • Options after Year 12
  • Options after Year 14
  • Planning a gap year
  • Results
  • Search for apprenticeship opportunities
  • Search for school work experience opportunities
  • Skills to succeed
  • Subject choices at Year 10
  • Work experience
  • Year 10 subject choices quiz

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Call 0800 587 0912
Email 
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Jobseeker’s Allowance

Contact your local Jobs & Benefits office

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