The chances are you go to an 11-16 high school, so you'll need to move to another school or college at 16+.
If you have not yet found the course you would like then visit Manchester 14-19 to view courses available in Manchester.
Schools and colleges vary so you need to think about the sort of place you’d like to study at. Here are a few points to consider:
School Sixth Form
- this could be your own school if it has a sixth form, or a sixth form at a different school
- it’s usually small - average 100-200 students, so there may be a limited range of courses
- if it’s your school you may already know something about it.
Sixth Form College
- larger than a school sixth form - average 500–1000 students mainly 16-19 year olds
- there may be a wider range of courses available.
College of Further Education
- larger than a sixth form college, possibly 10000 or more students of all ages
- wide range of courses, often including full time, part time and evening courses
- it may be spread over different sites so the site might be quite small.
Steps to Applying
- September - get hold of prospectuses - they'll tell you about the courses. Also check out the college or school Website. See Where to study after Year 11
- Find out what's on offer and whether you'd like it by visiting the colleges, see our list of Schools and Colleges Open Days
- When you've decided which course you want to do you should complete the college application form
- You’ll probably have to go for an interview and hopefully be offered a place.
Remember whatever your GCSE results you'll be able to go to college because courses are offered at different entry levels.
You can use the library in your Connexions Centre too as it has information for you to read or take away. Visit Education Weblinx for more useful websites.