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Alternatives to higher education

If you're undecided about uni or your plans have changed, there are other options after secondary education, such as apprenticeships, gap years, overseas study, and more. This page explains university alternatives.

No offers?

Find out what to do next if you’re not holding any conservatoire offers.

Why are we obsessed with the Journey to a Million applicants?

Clare Marchant, Chief Executive of UCAS, introduces our collection of essays, created in collaboration with Unite Students and Knight Frank, highlighting the challenges and opportunities the Journey to a Million higher education applicants poses both to the education sector and UK PLC.

Choosing where to study or train

After GCSEs/National 5s, you could stay in school, go to a sixth form college, go to a further education (FE) college, or join a work-based training provider.

Drama and theatre studies 2026 personal statement guide

Whether you want to be writing plays or acting them out, admissions tutors are looking for evidence of your enthusiasm for drama and theatre studies that extends beyond the curriculum, and for your unique personality to come across in your personal statement.