England
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The 16-19 Study Programme
The 16-19 Study Programme is an individual study programme which brings together the skills and qualifications you need to have the best opportunity to progress, whether it be further study or employment. What's in your study programme will depend on what you have already achieved and what you envisage the next step in you career to be.
If you live in England you now have to study until you are 18, however this includes working (paid or voluntary) at least twenty hours per week plus working towards a nationally-recognised degree.
Your Study Programme is tailored to your prior attainment, however it includes three key elements:
- substantial qualifications, such as BTEC Level 3 or A Levels
- maths and English for students who have not achieved grade A*-C GCSE in these subjects by age 16
- work experience or other work-preparation programme
At the same time, your Study Programme will be based around one of three learning styles suited to you, each made up of different qualifications:
- work-based learning - which takes place in a work environment. It is a practical way of learning that offers real life work experience whilst working towards relevant qualifications in the industry. 16-19 work-based learning takes the form of traineeships and apprenticeships.
- vocational learning - which involves more practical activities and is commonly used to prepare you for a particular trade or industry.
- academic learning - which is more formal and usually based on theory rather than practical activities.
Additionally, if you know you want to continue with studying for the time being, but are unsure whether you want to apply for university or look for a job in Upper 6th, you could combine vocational and academic qualifications and would help you keep your options open.
Once you've decided the learning style route you are going to go down your college, training provider or employer will sit down with you and put a full programme together to suit your needs. Depending on the main course you choose, as well as your English and Maths needs, your programme may include work experience, an extended project, online courses and workshops to prepare you for employment. Study programmes are all 540 hours and all parts of your programme are compulsory.
Education Providers
The learning style you choose affects where you study and how you apply to study there. The places that let you take the 16-19 Study Programme are:
- Training providers - a smaller group environment offering vocational subjects and often specialising in a small number of industries
- Further Education College - a large college environment offering a wide range of vocational subjects as well as some academic subjects
- Sixth Form College - a large college environment offering a wide range of academic subjects as well as some vocational options
- School/Academy Sixth Form - attached to a secondary school/academy and is a smaller learning environment
| Work-based learning | Vocational learning | Academic learning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Training Provider | |||
| Further Education College | |||
| Sixth Form College | |||
| School Sixth Form |
Qualifications
What you study on your 16-19 Study Programme depends on what learning style path you choose to take. Your qualifications may include:
| Work-based learning | Vocational learning | Academic learning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Functional Skills | |||
| International Baccalaureate | |||
| BTEC (award, certificate, diploma) | |||
| NVQ | |||
| A-Level | |||
| Cambridge Technicals | |||
| EPQ |
