Congratulations to everybody who’s recently received their exam results! We know how hard you all worked and getting your grades is a huge achievement.
If you’re still trying to decide what to do after school, we’ve got you covered. We’ve pulled together a selection of career paths you could consider, that don’t require going to university. Could one of these be your dream job?
Pick your fave A-level or GCSE subject
Art & Design
Career path: Architect
Architects are the brains behind the built environment. They design buildings that are both beautiful and useful using their wide knowledge of construction, engineering, environmental design, and building standards.
Though most architects become qualified via the traditional university route, the profession is slowly opening up to school leavers, with a handful of architecture degree apprenticeships now available. It could be a great option if you don’t want to take on the debt of studying at university.
You’ll need a flair for design as well as a logical mind, with most institutions asking for a portfolio of design work as well as qualifications equivalent to 5 GCSEs and 3 A Levels.
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Career path: Arts Administrator
Arts administrators help to keep the arts world running, helping to organise events exhibitions by managing staff, booking venues and dealing with the budgets. If you’re good at multitasking and are highly organised, this could be a great job for you.
Arts jobs are highly competitive, so consider volunteering at a local theatre, gallery or museum to get a foot in the door. You could also study a relevant apprenticeship, e.g. events management, to help you stand out from the crowd.
Computer Science/ Maths
Career path: Software Developer
Interested in a career in coding? Software developers create, test and maintain software using languages like Java, Python or C++. In an increasingly digital world, they’re needed in every sector, from logistics to healthcare.
Proving your skills is more important than a university education here and thankfully there’s a wide array of online courses you could take to learn coding skills. Alternatively, look out for coding bootcamps, as some of the larger tech firms often hire bootcamp attendees.
Career path: Video Games Tester
Yes, this is a real job! Video games testers help refine new games as they’re being developed, playing them before release to discover any bugs that need fixing, places where the game may crash and any areas that need extra visual or sound enhancements.
As well as being a passionate gamer, testers must have an understanding of how games are developed, the excellent attention to detail needed to spot the smallest of glitches, and the patience to test every outcome.
There’s no need for a degree, but you’ll need to demonstrate a love for the industry and have an ear to the ground on the latest developments.
English Language / English Literature
Career path: Copywriter
Copywriters are the professional writers behind phrases like ‘Beanz Meanz Heinz’ or Nike’s now synonymous slogan ‘Just Do It.’’ They use their talent for creating snappy, entertaining sentences to draft the written content within marketing emails, websites, adverts and more.
You could get a copywriter job within an advertising or marketing agency, or work in-house at a company as the copy specialist. It’s a profession needed in every sector, so whatever you’re passionate about writing about, from cars to canapes, there’s a job for you.
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Career path: PR executive
Public relations (PR) specialists act as the go-betweens between companies/individuals and the media, working to build and protect the reputation of their clients in the public realm. Often found drafting press releases or responding to questions from journalists, the day-to-day role can be varied but a good grasp of the English language is critical.
Many PR agencies offer internships to school leavers, meaning a degree isn’t strictly necessary. To land an opening, you’ll need to demonstrate strong attention to detail, a flair for writing, and top notch communication skills.
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Geography
Career path: Travel Agent
Passion for travel? Why not turn that into a full time career as a travel agent!
Travel agents take the hard work out of going on holiday by arranging hotels, transfers and excursions for customers, recommending choices that will suit them perfectly. Holidays are big business and many busy travellers will pay handsomely to have the stress taken away from them.
You’ll need to balance budgets and weigh up your customers’ appetite for adventure and interests, to create bespoke tours they will remember. Being highly organised with a flair for sales is essential.
In return, working in travel generally comes with employee discounts and your own chances to explore. If you’ve got a spreadsheet for every holiday, could this be your perfect role?!
Career path: Town Planner
If you’re interested in shaping how towns and communities grow, a town planner role could be right up your street.
These planning experts shape our urban spaces by looking at how roads, railways and waterways intersect with towns and cities, as well as advising on plans for new housing developments or other urban projects.
The starting point for a town planner career without going to university is a chartered town planner apprenticeship, which allows you to work and study at the same time.
History
Career path: Museum Curator
Working within museums or galleries, curators manage and care for collections of objects, researching new additions, cataloguing items, and organising exhibitions. They may also be involved in fundraising to conserve or purchase items.
To get started, look for paid or unpaid work experience within a gallery or museum, but beware – these can be highly competitive. An apprenticeship in cultural operations is another route in.
You can find out more about museum careers from the Museums Association.
Career path: Archivist
Archivists work to organise historical or cultural records and play an important role in preserving our cultural heritage. Day to day, they may work to digitise records, organise exhibitions, or help researchers navigate the archives. It’s a job requiring strong attention to detail and organisation skills, as well as an interest in history and is also accessible via an Archivist & Records Manager apprenticeship.
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Modern Languages
Career path: TEFL teacher
A great advantage of being multilingual is the ability to work abroad, meaning you can travel and earn at the same time. With a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) qualification, you’ll be able to teach English abroad either in person or online – and you don’t need a degree.
Roles vary from helping school children to supporting adults with learning English. The salary you earn will vary depending on where you’re working. It’s important to also factor in any costs such as visa requirements or accommodation, before committing to a contract.
Career path: Interpreter
Interpreters digest content in one language, before translating it verbally into another language. They may be called upon to help bridge language barriers, in person or via conference call, ensuring each party understands what the other is saying, and helping them to respond.
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Stem
Career path: Laboratory Technician
Love being in the lab? Switch up school experiments for real life laboratory work with a job as a lab technician. You could be testing samples for scientific experiments, helping with medical diagnoses, or developing scientific products.
As well as analysing samples, you’ll help to set up and take down apparatus, prepare solutions, and keep the lab clean.
Two apprenticeships exist to get into the field without a degree: Laboratory Technician and Technician Scientist. However, you’ll need solid Science A Levels to qualify.
Career path: Veterinary Assistant
This is one for the animal lovers. Vet assistants work alongside surgeons and nurses to help care for sick animal patients. That could involve taking four-legged friends for walks, grooming and feeding them, or generally helping them to feel comfortable and safe.
You could also help out on the reception desk, advising customers dropping off or picking up their pets. Be aware, this could involve evening and weekend work too.
Although you don’t need a degree to be a vet assistant, you could take the Veterinary Care Support qualification to get up to speed. The College of Animal Welfare has more information.
Read more: Top 10 jobs to live the good life