---
title: "Qualification Routes"
url: "https://www.unity.blackpool.org.uk/curriculum/CEIAG/qualification-routes"
school: "Unity Academy Blackpool"
---

# Qualification Routes

**You can leave school on the last Friday in June if you'll be 16 by the end of the summer holidays. You must then choose whether to:**

- **stay in full-time education - for example at school, sixth form college, further education college or University Technical College (UTC)**
- **start an apprenticeship or traineeship**
- **spend 20 hours or more a week working or volunteering while also doing part-time education or training**

**Blackpool Local Authority has a duty to make sure you are offered a suitable place by the end of September. This is known as the September Guarantee. Contact your local authority for information on who can help find you a suitable offer.**

**You may be eligible for the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund (<https://www.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund>), which can help with things like books, travel or equipment if you will struggle with education or training costs.**

**If you have an Education Health and Care (EHC) plan, you can get support to choose your next steps and extra help when you are in education, training or work.**

**Stay in full-time education**

**You could take a range of subjects that lead to qualifications that keep your options open, like GCSE or A levels. Courses like T Levels or BTEC allow you to focus on a chosen career area like construction, healthcare science or digital careers. Some careers may ask for specific qualifications, so always do some research into where the course you are interested in might lead.**

- **[A levels](https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/career-choices-at-16#a-levels)**
- **[T Levels](https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/career-choices-at-16#t-levels)**
- **[Technical and vocational qualifications](https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/career-choices-at-16#technical-vocational-qualifications)**
- **[Applied qualifications](https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/career-choices-at-16#applied-qualifications)**
- **[Exam retakes](https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/career-choices-at-16#exam-retakes)**

**Combine work and study**

**Gain practical skills, get work experience and a qualification that employers need.**

- **[Traineeships](https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/career-choices-at-16#traineeships)**
- **[Supported internships](https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/career-choices-at-16#supported-internships)**
- **[Apprenticeships](https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/career-choices-at-16#apprenticeships)**
- **[School leaver schemes](https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/career-choices-at-16#school-leavers)**

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