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Post-18 Options
Exploring Your Future
At Chiltern Hills Academy, we believe every young person should leave Sixth Form with the confidence, skills, and knowledge to take their next step in life — whether that’s university, an apprenticeship, employment, or a gap year.
Our role is to guide, support, and inspire you to make choices that are right for you. We provide honest advice, personalised careers guidance, and a wide range of opportunities to help you explore your options.
Higher Education Evening – 13 March 2025
We were delighted to welcome students and parents to our annual Higher Education Evening.
Event Presentations
The event featured presentations from:
- Alison Moore (University of Hertfordshire) – covering university applications, UCAS, and student finance, helping families feel confident about navigating the system.
- Albie Salvidge (former Head Boy) – sharing his inspiring journey into a professional apprenticeship, showing how success can come through many different routes.
You can revisit the presentations here:
Higher Education Evening – Apprenticeship
Higher Education Evening – UCAS
“Hearing from a past student made me feel reassured — it showed me there isn’t just one way to succeed.”
Year 12 student
University Pathways
A university degree opens doors to a wide range of careers and provides opportunities to grow academically, socially, and personally.
Supporting Students
At CHA we support students through every stage of the application process:
- UCAS preparation and personal statement workshops
- Visits and talks from a variety of universities
- One-to-one guidance with staff and careers advisers
Working with Unifrog
We also partner with Unifrog, an award-winning careers platform. Each student has their own account, giving them access to:
- Every UK and international university course
- Apprenticeships and further education routes
- Tools to record work experience, draft personal statements, and compare courses
In 2024, our students progressed to a wide range of universities, including Southampton, Leicester, Nottingham, and Liverpool.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are an excellent option for students who want to combine study with work.
Apprenticeships Offer
- Real-world experience in industries ranging from finance to healthcare
- A salary while you learn
- Qualifications from Level 4 up to Level 7 (equivalent to foundation, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees)
- No tuition fee debt, as training costs are often covered by the employer
CHA student access
- Apprenticeship assemblies and guest speakers
- Mock interviews and application workshops
- Students have access to the following resources:
Unifrog Apprenticeships video
Amazing Apprenticeships
CHA Apprenticeships section
Other Routes
Not every student chooses university or apprenticeships straight away. Other options include:
Employment, Internships, and Gap Years
Employment – entering the workplace directly, often with in-house training
Internships – gaining short-term experience to help explore career pathways
Gap years – opportunities to travel, volunteer, or build work experience
Useful links:
Not Going to Uni Guide
GapYear.com
STA Travel Gap Year
Real Gap
Oyster Worldwide
Principal Insight
At a Glance – Your Post-18 Options
Higher Education: Level 4+ courses at universities, colleges, and specialist institutions
Apprenticeships: Intermediate, Advanced, Higher, and Degree level across over 170 industries
Employment: Paid work with industry-specific training
Internships: Work placements to gain experience
Gap Years: Travel, volunteering, or personal development before starting further study or work
Practical Advice and Support
See our Parent’s Guide to Next Steps – National Careers Week 2025 for practical advice and support.