Will specialist post-16 courses close off university options later on?

[101romanticplaces]

DD is unsure of what they want to do after year 11. We are considering the Fashion Retail Academy and London Screen academy. She is not very academic and not sure she wants to go to university.

Will these courses limit their options if they change their mind and decide to go to university?

Predicted grades:

Combined Science: 5
English: 5
Maths: 4

They are also working towards at UAL 2 diploma which is worth 4 GCSE and predicted a pass. They don’t want to continue in this school which is a performing arts and creative school.

I am thinking that perhaps doing 2 Btecs and and A level at a Sixth Form school may keep more doors open than studying at single subject. 3 A levels is definitely not an option.

I am scratching my head. Hopefully things will become more clear after we go to open days. We have booked 2 colleges, the fashion retail academy, London Screen Academy and at Sixth Form at a school.

@101romanticplaces I think you have posted multiple threads under different names? If not then apologies. If you have though it's a bit confusing for posters wanting to advise. I think there was a thread a while ago about the UAL diploma as well?

So I feel I may have said this before. But anyway. What would she take an A level in? Those GCSE grades do not suggest a strong grade at A level, nor a positive experience really. Is that English language – does she not take Eng lit? So four GCSEs as science is two?

What doors does she want to keep open? That's really the key question. If she is not especially academic then university may not be the right choice as there is a lot of need to self-study and work independently. Otoh it may be perfect for her if she finds a course she is passionate about. So what is it she might want to do?

I see you are worried about closing off options but honestly, I wouldn't. Talk to her, talk to teachers at open days, and find a course she will enjoy. No use taking two Btecs and an A level to keep uni options open if she is not interested, doesn't engage. All the best to her.

Thanks, this is the first time I posted; but will look for the other threads.

You need to take a step back and look honestly at her. What is her talent in the area she would like to study?
My DD wanted to study musical theatre for sixth form I took a step back entered her in some big competitions to see how she stacked up - she won out right.
I let her take the vocational sixth form m course she got really high grades, she got into Italia Conti and now she is working in the MT world.
Vocational sixth form can be amazing, but you need to make sure it is going to work for them.

OK apologies. In that case the advice on this thread may be useful as it sounds like a similar situation
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/higher_education/5572381-which-btec-to-keep-doors-open?reply=154445881

You are definitely right to think that 2 Btecs and an A level will keep her uni options open more than the fashion or screen options. But, with predicted 4s and 5s, is she really destined for uni? What does she want to do?

I assume she's going into year 11 so you don't need to decide now. It's not like age 11 when you end up with one school - you can keep several options on the table right up until the last minute.

Most post 16 options start to close doors with with exception of the IB which forces students to do seven subjects.

with a grade profile of 4s and 5s a levels are unlikely to be successful but you presumably know that as you have said not three a levels.

btecs generally keep university open as a possibility but the degree is usually related to the btec - much as with a levels if you do maths physics and chemistry you are unlikely to be accepted onto a German degree.

One of mine is doing specialist post 16 course. It a ual diploma. It does close off some university options but not all. You have to look on a uni by uni, course by course basis. Some unis for a degree in that subject area list it as acceptable, some other places say 'call us' or put other things in the criteria too. Im less sure what would happen if he wanted to swap fields though to do business studies or philiosphy for instance. Im assuming lower tariff unis would ve more amenable. He clearly wouldnt be off to do a stem degree with it.

He wouldnt manage A levels anyway so its not much point me worrying about that, its just nice to know some unis will take him if he wanted to. His subject likes portfolios as part of uni application. Some areas like auditions..

It is important to think 'what next' as sixth form is very short. But you do sometimes have to think what is right now as well.

The btech A level combo is very strong as long as there's an A level she likes.

@101romanticplaces under the Government's new Lifelong Learning Entitlement she will have the future option to study level 4 and 5 courses and build up to a degree gradually: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/lifelong-learning-entitlement-lle-overview/lifelong-learning-entitlement-overview

This may not be "going to uni" in the traditional sense of a 3-year experience, but she will certainly be able to get a degree if she really wants one.

I wouldn’t worry about closing off doors by taking a 3 A level equivalent BTEC or UAL.

Uni will still be an option. If she changes direction then it’s an easy fix. A one year Access to HE diploma gives her the entry requirements for options at uni. Even medicine. Caveat to research and apply strategically.

I thnk it depends on subjects. With 4/5s at gcse many traditional A levels will be a challenge and in turn uni courses. If she is more creative than academic an extended level 3 btec perhaps followed by Art Foundation might work. Or are there any apprenticeships in a related field?

Thank you. Some very good advice here.