A levels aren't the only way to go on to higher education! There many different routes including academic and vocational qualifications. Your personal statement and reference are also important and in many institutions applicants are also interviewed so it isn't always down to just grades.

Qualifications that can lead to higher education include:

A level

The traditional academic course for going to University, a normal minimum of two subjects needed with grades depending on the course applied for. Sometimes offers are made in terms of points using the UCAS tariff scale.

Diplomas

A new qualification that you can do at school or college. There are up to 10 subjects to choose from and by 2011 there will be 17 subjects in total.

Click here to find out more.

A/S level

These are worth half an A level and for entry into HE can be used to increase the overall points score that can help with getting an offer.

Access Courses

These qualifications are for students returning to education after a break who are normally over 19. Credits gained can be used to gain entry to university.

Foundation Certificates

These one-year courses are normally offered at universities for students who don't have high enough grades or the right subjects to study their first choice degree. Passing this qualification can lead onto a degree course. For subjects such as Art and Graphics it is quite often necessary to take a foundation year in Art & Design before being allowed to enrol on the degree course.

Work Based Learning & Apprenticeships

There are many qualifications that can be taken while working that can lead onto higher education. NVQs are vocational qualifications that can be completed while you are working and are based on a portfolio of evidence that proves you can carry out work-based activities. Apprenticeships are also designed in such a way that they can lead to a degree or HE qualification.

Finding out more...

You can get advice and guidance from your Connexions Personal Adviser, Aimhigher Co-ordinator, or by searching for information on the UCAS website

www.ucas.co.uk