Are there independent advisors re Uni, apprenticeships

[wondabar]

DS's grades didn't go as he had planned. BCD with a D in the subject he wanted to study at uni. He was always going to take a year out and planning to go to uni next year. However we need to talk to someone about apprenticeships and other options available to him. His college careers advisor is not at all helpful and doesn't seem to know much herself. Do such people as independent advisors exist?

Depending on his eligibility your local uni connect programme might be able to advise?

Or I’m happy to give some general advice in the interim and I’m sure other posters will be too. I work at a uni but part of my role is giving impartial advice to school students about all of their next steps including apprenticeships. I’m currently working clearing so answers might be slightly slow, but happy to try and help!

What career is he hoping for?

That's very kind of you. He was wanting to do Economics which he got a D in. He got a B in Business Studies and a C in Maths. Predicted grades had been AAB (B in business). He has Autism and found college life very hard as the support there was very poor. Prior to them he had been in a specialist school that helped his Autism hugely. The only reason he left was that his special school didn't offer the A level subjects he wanted to take. He is feeling very disheartened.

Have you had a think about a course with a foundation year? This is an extra year at the start of a degree programme for students with lower grades than the standard offer, to get them to the place they need to be at to commence undergraduate study.
Its often really beneficial for students with SEND as it’s a low pressure way to adapt to university and make sure your support is in place and working for you before starting your degree proper.

There may be some of these courses in clearing or he could apply fresh in September to start on Sept 24. BCD would be fine for a foundation year. A year out might be a good way to recover from college if it’s been difficult for him and he could look at work experience/ life skills in his gap year.

There aren’t any straight economics apprenticeships so if that’s his passion he is probably looking at finding a route to further study.

Would he consider returning to his previous specialist school for his year out? He could take a one year qual if they’re offered and build his confidence back a little and apply at the same time

He might be better advised to look for a business degree or apprenticeship. Look at local colleges for the apprenticeship links. Business might be more forgiving than economics. Anything in clearing?

Foundation courses can be quite competitive as not so many of them and sometimes take Dc with the “wrong” A levels at high grades. Worth looking though for 2024.