On this page we outline our choices at 16+
- What are my options?
- Explore colleges, sixth forms and training providers in Suffolk
- Youth Support Services – Money Matters leaflet
- Courses designed for disabled people
- Online resources
- Information for parents and carers – Options after year 11 booklet
“What are my options?”
You can:
Stay in full-time education – at a school sixth form, Sixth form college or Further Education (Fe) College and study a range of qualifications at all levels from foundation courses to Level 3, vocational to A level and T Level Study Programmes.
Attend a training provider – Some training providers also offer full time courses, with start dates throughout the year. These are much smaller than a 6th form or college, and give you the chance to get work experience, improve your maths and English skills, and gain confidence.
“I don’t know where to start!”. It can feel overwhelming! Here are our top tips!
Remember that learning can take place in different settings.
Think about what suits you and how you learn best.
1) Think about what you enjoy, how you like to learn and what type of qualification suits you.
2) Think about where you would like to study – e.g. school sixth-form, sixth-form college, further education College, training centre, on the job such as an apprenticeship.
3) Speak to your school for careers advice (if you are a recent school leaver), or you can contact your local adviser from the Youth Support Services (16-18) Team to find out who can help you.
Use the drop-downs to read about different levels of qualifications and providers.
Qualifications
A Levels – Level 3 subject-based qualifications, studied across two years. Assessment is through exams and coursework. With A Levels, you can progress onto university, employment or a higher apprenticeship.
T Levels – Level 3 two-year qualifications designed to give you a head start towards the career you want and offer a mixture of classroom learning and work placement. They follow GCSEs, gain you UCAS points and are equivalent to three A Levels.
BTEC Nationals (BTEC) – Level 3 vocational qualifications trains for a specific trade or industry such as hairdressing, plastering or animal studies. There are lots of different courses to choose from and generally you will only study one subject on an in-depth level. You can progress onto university, employment or a higher apprenticeship.
Sixth form schools/colleges or College?
Sixth form schools – Provides education to students in Years 12 and 13, so that they can gain the qualifications needed to take them on to the next stages of their career. At a school sixth form, you are given more independence than younger year groups.
Sixth form colleges – Have courses that are less well-known, more precise and with a wider variety available, compared to school, where there may be thirty subjects offered as A-Level courses. They may also offer other vocational qualifications.
Colleges – Can provide T Levels and BTECs, which can be vastly different from anything students have ever experienced before, just like in university.
Explore colleges, sixth forms, training providers in Suffolk
We have linked to local training providers, colleges and sixth forms so you can explore what is on offer.
Youth Support Services (16-18)
Thinking about what to do in September? Not sure if a mainstream course is for you? There are options!
Your Local Youth Support Services have young person’s workers and coaches who can help you explore your ideas.
You will find contact details for your local office as well as dates of drop-ins, useful links and leaflets about opportunities across the county.
Money Matters
The leaflet below contains links to help you think about money, benefits and your post 16 choices.
Courses designed for disabled people
Learn at Scope is a free, interactive eLearning platform. They offer employment support courses designed for disabled people.
Learn at Scope is open to you if you are:
- disabled or have an impairment or condition
- living in England or Wales
- aged 16 and over
‘I have additional needs’
If you have additional needs, find more info on our page – ‘I have additional needs’.
If you are in care or leaving care, find more info on our page – ‘I am in care or leaving care‘.
Online Resources
What do I want to be when I am older?
- icanbea – employment possibilities in Suffolk and Norfolk.
- National Careers Service website – Useful careers advice and tools. Further advice outlining your post-16 options.
- Skills for Life – Browse your education and training choices available and view the different ways to get the skills you need for your career.
- The Mix – Work and Study advice
- Royal Air Force Careers and Army Careers
- Sports Education Programmes for 16-18 year olds
Choosing a career
This video ‘Choosing a career’ has some great advice about why we should be flexible and take one step at a time and not be too fixed on one career path.
“If you don’t have a fixed destination, it’s impossible to take a wrong turn! You just need to know what you want to do next.”
Information for parents and carers – ‘Options after year 11’
Looking for information and careers advice for a young person? Visit the Suffolk County Council website.
Page updated on June 5th, 2026 at 11:18am