Life after A Levels - Exploring all routes


Thu 16 Aug 2018

Blog Author
Joanna Moonan
Operations Director

Today marks A Level results day, a crunch time for many wondering what their next step will be. While the traditional academic route of school, college, degree, followed by employment is still a viable option for many, an ever growing number of people are eager to put their professional passions into practice by going straight into employment.

The progression routes to continued study are many and varied, from a degree apprenticeship to professional qualifications from certified bodies. We all agree that education shouldn’t end at the closing of the school door or college gates, that there should be continual professional and personal improvement. But should learners explore other options to the traditional routes?

The answer is of course a truly personal one. As individuals our lives ebb and flow at different rates, our ability, and desire, to grow our knowledge and skills hits us at different times. In essence, there is a genuine need for a wider variety of options to progress to continued study.

For many of our learners in MOL, flexibility is key as they are in employment already, juggling career progression with busy lives. Our courses can fit to match their needs and requirements with innovative live online learning and resources delivered to their fingertips and the ability to take part in networking and explore their real-world issues in sessions. The level of some of our qualifications reach beyond degree level, right up to a Masters. And in many cases, MOL learners achieve the same professional qualification whether they start with a degree or not –crucially, they are developing themselves in their chosen profession on their own terms.

The difference between professional qualifications and traditional academic A Levels or a degree is that knowledge gained during study is directly applied to the work environment. Learners need more than theoretical knowledge, they are expected to apply their learning to reflect on it, to talk about it and assess its impact. This is real life learning, and the ability to implement academic theory appropriately in the work context is highly prized by employers.

Ultimately, education and training is the key to unlocking a better future, whether you are aged 16 or 60. With so many pathways to progression and options for further study, today’s crunch time could be the right time for you to consider the variety of pathways open to you.