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Taking the first steps out of school and into higher education is an exciting time in many students’ journeys. But school leavers can’t make key decisions about their future without understanding the full range of choices and opportunities available – and importantly, how to access them.

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.

Our detailed data resources are published at the end of each application cycle.

As the gateway to higher education in the UK, we have unrivalled data, insight and trusted channels to reach students. Here's how you can reach them too.

Organising events in your school or college is a great way to help students make smart choices about higher education (HE) or find alternative routes. There’s a wealth of activities outside school too.

More about your options after school, including apprenticeships, college, and sixth form.

There's more than one route into higher education. Open your students' eyes to all the possibilities – from degree apprenticeships to studying abroad – and debunk some common myths about university.

Dr Anthony Manning, Director and Dean of Global Lifelong Learning, University of Kent.

Help with writing your personal statement for further education courses – what to include about yourself, and some dos and don’ts on how to write it.

In its newest report in the Next Steps series, UCAS, in partnership with the Unite Foundation, examines the educational experiences of students from a care background.

We asked admissions tutors how you can ensure your teacher training personal statement gets top marks and secures you that all-important interview.

Higher education (HE) courses don’t have to be studied at a university – there are more than 240 colleges in the UK that offer a range of higher education courses.

Pat Carvalho, Principal, Birmingham Metropolitan College (BMET).

Ginny Page, Director of Education Programmes, Gatsby Foundation

Nicola Dandridge, Professor of Higher Education Policy, University of Bristol.

Anthony McClaran, Vice-Chancellor St Mary’s University Twickenham and Chair of GuildHE