Didn't ace your A-Levels? Don't panic! Even if you haven't got the results you hoped for, there are lots of options open to you.
When you get grades that were lower than you were expecting, your first thought might be that you won't get to go to university, but this may not necessarily be the case.
And even if university isn't on the cards immediately, you'll be relieved to know that there are other options that could actually end up enhancing your life experience and give you a more direct route into your chosen career.
Here are some of the options available to you if you didn't get the A-Level results you were expecting.
Clearing
Even if you didn't get the marks needed for your first or reserve choice of university, going to uni doesn't have to be entirely off the table.
Register for Ucas Clearing, which allows students to see which university courses still have places
Most universities tend to have clearing vacancies so don't think you'll have a chance at lower ranking universities if you try this option.
Gap year
Taking a gap year can help a lot with your personal development. By taking some time off studies, you'll be able to see your life a bit more objectively and figure out what you really want from your education and career.
According to Mind the Gap, around 230,000 between 18-25 take a gap year, with 60% saying it helped them decide what they wanted to study and 80% saying it actually added to their employability.
Learn on the job
A degree isn't the only way to gain knowledge in your chosen career. You can always go straight into the jobs market, and find out if there are any entry-level openings in your field that don't require a degree.
Going straight into the workforce gives you at least a three year advantage over your peers who might go into university before starting their careers.
Resit your exams
A-Level students have the option to retake their exams or appeal their marks.
If you want to give your exams another go, just talk to to your school/college and teachers about this.
Resitting doesn't have to be from the same school or college, you can choose where you want to re-sit and many courses even offer the option of online/home-study.
Sometimes, exam boards and teachers do make mistakes, so if you notice something that doesn't seem quite right with your results. Go with your gut and request a review of marking or moderation.
Once you've seen what's gone on with the marking, you can even request an appeal, though it's best to do this as early as possible to have the best chance at securing your place at uni.
Get a professional qualification
In recent years, there's been a rise in the number of vocational courses that prepare students for the work place with more practical, on-the-job skills rather than just theory.
Vocational qualifications cover everything from nursing and accountancy to gardening and plumbing, and taking these course equip you with practical experience which allows you to hit the ground running on the job.
