A levels or an apprenticeship?

At 16 in England, the big choice is often A levels, a T Level or an apprenticeship. Each option has trade-offs.

Side by side

	A levels	Apprenticeship
What you do	Study 3 or so subjects at school or college	Work in a real job, with training
Pay	None	At least £8.00 an hour (from April 2026)
Options at 18	University, degree apprenticeships, jobs	Carry on in your job, move up a level, or change
Best if	You want to keep options open	You know what kind of job you want

Reasons to pick A levels

• You’re not sure yet. A levels keep doors open, including university.
• You want a degree apprenticeship later. Some of the best-paid apprenticeships ask for A levels or UCAS points. PwC, for example, asks for 112 UCAS points for its Level 4 consulting programme.
• You enjoy studying your subjects.

Reasons to pick an apprenticeship

• You learn best by doing. About 80% of your time is on the job.
• You want to earn. You’re paid from day one.
• You know your direction. Apprenticeships are built around specific jobs.
• Your grades aren’t what you hoped. Some employers, like Tesco and Aldi, ask for no qualifications for some apprenticeships.

You don’t have to choose straight away

You can apply for apprenticeships in Year 11, as long as you’ll be 16 by the end of the summer holidays, and keep a sixth form or college place as a back-up. And if you pick A levels, apprenticeships are still there afterwards. Our guide to apprenticeships after A levels shows how.

There’s also a middle option: a T Level, which is a two-year course with a long industry placement.