Post-18 Pathways: The Wide MenuUniversity, degree apprenticeship, employment, gap year
Why this matters
Year 12 baseline. Many students arrive assuming 'university'. This module re-opens the full menu: traditional uni, degree apprenticeship (now growing fast), school-leaver programmes, gap year, employment with training. Each option mapped to careers and lifestyle.
Learning objectives
By the end of this lesson
I can compare 4+ post-18 routes across cost, time, debt, exit salary
I can describe degree apprenticeships in detail
I can articulate my current leaning with reasons
ActivityActivity 1: Five-route comparison
On your own30 min
Build the table: cost, time, debt, salary at 21, salary at 25, lifestyle. Five routes.
ActivityActivity 2: Degree apprenticeship deep-dive
On your own15 min
10 real degree apprenticeships from PwC, BBC, NHS, Rolls-Royce, etc. Salary, qualification, location.
ActivityActivity 3: My leaning
On your own15 min
Pick your provisional route. Three reasons. Add to Chapter goals.
Success criteria
How we'll know it worked
Five-route comparison sheet completed
Provisional post-18 leaning + reasons
Chapter Student Game
Action
Add your provisional post-18 route to Chapter goals
Skills: Problem Solving, Planning
Add your provisional post-18 route to Chapter. You'll iterate through Y12.
What's next
Use 2026 data on degree apprenticeships - they're the fastest-growing route. Don't let university be the assumed default.