Which Course Is For Me? 16-18

Find the perfect course and you’ll love developing your skills and abilities.

If you’re getting ready to leave school and starting to think about what to do next, the huge range of options in front of you can look daunting.

But choice is good! The number of courses available just means that you can find the best one for you – the one that suits your interests, your goals and your passions.

There are a few different course types, but we’ll help you decide which is best for you, so you don’t need to worry about the future. Our dedicated Careers and Welfare team can answer any question you might have, helping you find the right path to your ideal career.

Take a look below at the different types of courses available for young people between 16 and 18 years old.

  • T Levels are high-quality technical alternatives to A Levels, combining classroom theory, practical learning and an industry placement – of at least 315 hours, or approximately 45 days – where students will build the knowledge and skills they need in a workplace environment.

    Click here to visit our dedicated T Level page

    From September 2021 we are proud to be offering courses in the following subjects:

    From September 2022, we will be adding T Level courses from the following subject areas:

    • Business and Administration
    • Engineering and Manufacturing

    Not sure what T Level is for you? Click here to take our T Level quiz.

    Transition Programmes

    If you don’t quite achieve these grades and would still like to pursue a T Level there is the option of a one-year Transition Programme, which will then allow you to move on to a T Level the following year and gain a qualification at the same time*. 

    *Subject to meeting the course requirements. 

    T Award

    Those successful in gaining a place on the T Levels or Transition Programmes will be eligible for the ‘T Award’, a package of benefits that includes:

    • £300 per year bursary*
    • Free branded work wear
    • Opportunity to take part in exciting college-wide competitions
    • Minimum 20% delivery by industry experts
    • Guaranteed progression to a Higher Education course at UCEN Manchester
    • Bursary incentive if progressing to UCEN Manchester (T Levels)
    • Minimum 15-day (Transition Programmes) or 45-day (T Levels) industry placement
    • Digital upskilling
    • Masterclasses
    • Industry-standard laptop
    • And much more

    * Subject to requirements including 95% attendance, positive attitude and grade profile.

  • What are they?

    Vocational courses are centred around work-related learning, with each option tailored to a specific job or sector. They teach you the skills you’ll need to succeed in a particular career, and typically involve lots of hands-on, practical learning experience.

    They could take the form of a BTEC or NVQ qualification, and you usually only focus on one subject.

    Are they suitable for me?

    If you’ve always wanted to go into a particular job, or you have a passion for a specific industry that you’ve always dreamed of working in, a vocational course could provide a great start for your career.

    If you prefer practical learning and would like to get all the skills you need to start working as soon as possible, this could be the option for you.

    There are different levels for vocational courses, depending on your current abilities and experience, but we will help you find the right one.

    What next?

    Explore the huge choice of vocational courses at The Manchester College

  • What are they?

    An apprenticeship course pairs you with an employer and allows you to earn while you learn, as you develop the skills you need for a specific career on the job. You’ll study and practise the skills you’ve learnt as you work in an industry and earn a wage.

    As well as working off-site, you will also spend some days learning in the classroom and working towards your NVQ qualification.

    Are they suitable for me?

    If you’re interested in a particular career and eager to get started in the working world, an apprenticeship is a great choice to develop the skills you need for the future and earn money whilst doing it.

    If you’re not sure that full-time education is for you, an apprenticeship can help you bridge the gap between school and employment.

    What next?

    Find out more about our apprenticeship offer with Total People.

  • That’s not a problem. You’re not alone, and you don’t need to worry if you’re not sure which course is right for you. Everyone is different, but our expert Careers and Welfare team are just a phone call or a message away.

    Wherever you’d like to be in 5 or 10 years time, they’ll help you decide which path is best for you. They’ll talk through all your course options and help you figure out which will fit your skills and goals.

    Send us an email or just pick up the phone and speak to us. Wherever you’d like to be, and whatever you’d like to do - we’ll help you on the right path to get you there.