What are your options after GCSEs?
Explore college courses and open events this November
Choosing what to do after Year 11 is an exciting milestone, but we know it can also feel like a big decision. You might already have a career in mind and know exactly what you’d like to study, or you might still be exploring your options and wondering where to start.
Wherever you are in your journey, we’re here to help.
With a range of open events and opportunities to find out more this November, there’s never been a better time to discover what the RNN Group of Colleges could offer you.
From meeting our tutors and exploring our facilities to finding out about courses and applications, we’re ready to help you take that next step with confidence.
So if you’re considering studying at either Rotherham College, North Notts College or Dearne Valley College, here are some key details to know before you apply.
What should I study? Choosing the right route for your future
If you’re thinking about applying to college, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is choosing what to study. With different qualifications, subjects and pathways available, it can sometimes feel difficult to know where to begin.
Our advice? Start by thinking about what interests you, what you’re good at and, if you have one, the career you’d like to work towards.
Different courses offer different ways of learning, so it’s worth considering not just what you’d like to study, but how you’d like to learn.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. The best choice depends on your interests, ambitions and preferred learning style.
Here are some of the options you might want to explore:
Vocational Courses (including BTECs)
If you enjoy learning through practical activities, projects and developing skills that relate to a particular industry, a vocational course could be a great fit.
These courses combine classroom learning with practical assignments and help you build knowledge and experience in a subject area. They can be a good route towards university, further study or employment, depending on the qualification and course requirements.
At RNN Group, we offer vocational courses in a range of subject areas, from aviation and animal care to construction and engineering.
If you want to work in a service industry, you could study catering and hospitality, hair and beauty, sport or motor vehicle studies. Or for careers that work with the public, there are courses in early years and education, health and social care, and protective services.
If you’re into computing, there are courses in digital studies, esports and games design. Or if you’re looking for a creative career, you could do performing arts, music, art, fashion, graphic design or photography.
Take a look at what courses are available at Dearne Valley College.
T Levels
T Levels are technical qualifications that have been designed with employers to help prepare students for skilled employment or further study.
They combine four days of classroom-based learning with a one-day industry placement each week, giving you the opportunity to develop your knowledge and gain valuable experience in a workplace.
If you have a particular career area in mind and enjoy combining theory with practical experience, a T Level could be worth exploring. They’re equivalent to three A-levels and take two years to complete, with many T Levels also having a foundation level for those learners who need a bit of extra time to prepare for the full course.
At RNN Group, we offer the following T Levels:
- Animal Care
- Business and Administration
- Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction
- Digital Software Development
- Early Years Educator
- Engineering
- Health and Science
- Mechatronics Maintenance Installation
- Sport and Health Therapy
Apprenticeships
Would you prefer to earn while you learn? An apprenticeship combines paid employment with training and study, allowing you to gain recognised qualifications while developing skills in a real working environment.
You’ll spend most of your time working with an employer, alongside dedicated learning and training in college one day a week.
Apprenticeships are a great option if you have an idea of the industry you’d like to work in and are ready to take that step into the workplace.
At RNN Group, we currently offer apprenticeships in plumbing and heating, autocare, and business and office admin, but you can speak to the apprenticeships team to register your interest in other areas.
Find out more about apprenticeships.
A-levels
A-levels are another popular route after GCSEs, particularly if you enjoy academic study and want to explore subjects in greater depth.
They are generally classroom-based qualifications and can provide a pathway to university and other forms of further study.
Although we don’t offer A-levels at RNN Group, we’re happy to help you understand the different pathways available so you can make an informed decision about what’s right for you.
What if I don’t know what career I want yet?
Don’t worry – you’re definitely not alone!
You don’t need to know exactly what you want to do for the rest of your life at 16. Many people discover their interests and ambitions along the way, and your time at college can be a great opportunity to explore different possibilities.
If you’re still undecided, here are a few things to think about:
- Start with what you enjoy. Are there subjects at school that you particularly look forward to? Think about the activities, topics and skills that interest you.
- Think about your strengths. Are you creative, practical, good with people, interested in technology or enjoy solving problems? These can all help you identify potential subject areas.
- Explore broader subject areas. Choosing a course in an area that interests you can help you develop transferable skills and discover career opportunities you might not have considered.
- Look at progression opportunities. Consider where a qualification could take you next, including further study, higher education, apprenticeships or employment.
- Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Your first qualification after school is an important step, but it doesn’t mean you have to have your entire career mapped out.
It’s also worth looking beyond the course title. Find out what you’ll learn, what practical experience you could gain and what opportunities might be available when you finish.
Our tutors and careers team can help you explore your interests, understand your options and find a course that gives you a positive starting point.
Most importantly, choose something that motivates you. You’re much more likely to enjoy your studies and get the most out of college when you’re learning about something you’re genuinely interested in.
Get inspired with our new digital prospectuses
With three campuses offering a broad range of subject areas, it can be overwhelming trying to work out which college you ought to be looking at.
To help you, we have recently launched our new digital prospectuses for 2027/28 courses. Each campus has its own course guide which has information about the different subject areas, course options and entry requirements, as well as what specialist facilities there are at each campus.
It’s a good place to start to help give you some inspiration about what exactly you could study as an RNN student. You might even find something you’d not previously considered before.
You can find our new digital prospectuses here.
Come along and discover college life!
Let’s be honest. There’s only so much you can learn from a website or prospectus. Visiting us in person gives you the chance to experience the college environment, explore the facilities and get a real feel for what studying here could be like.
This November, we will be hosting the first of our open events across our three campuses. These events take place on a Saturday and are a great opportunity to explore the courses available, take a look around our classrooms, workshops and specialist facilities, and find out where our Colleges could take you.
You’ll also get to meet our friendly tutors and ask questions about your chosen subjects, chat to staff about applications and entry requirements, and find out about student support, enrichment activities and opportunities beyond the classroom.
If you’re feeling a bit nervous, you’re more than welcome to bring along a parent, carer or friend. We know choosing your next step is an important decision. Having someone there to help you explore your options can make all the difference.
Plus, it’s good for them to be learn about what you might be doing next year, too. Your parents, for example, might have always thought that A-levels are your best option and not know much about how T Levels or vocational courses work.
And remember, you can apply to more than one college so it’s a good idea to go to a few different open events to see what the different colleges are like and figure out where you’d feel most at home for next year.
On the day there will also be talks about apprenticeships, student ambassadors, T Levels and additional learning support.
RNN Group’s upcoming November events:
Rotherham College: Saturday 14th November 9:30am-1pm
North Notts College: Saturday 21st November 9:30am-1pm
Dearne Valley College: Saturday 21st November 9:30am-1pm
There are three one-hour slots that you can book on to, allowing you to drop by at a time that works for you and avoid queuing at check-in.
Book your free place here and we look forward to seeing you later this month!
Can I apply if I already know what college course I want to do?
If you’ve already found a course you’re interested in, that’s great news! But you might be wondering what happens next and when you need to actually apply by.
Applying to college is usually straightforward and you don’t need to wait until you’ve received your final GCSE results to get started. Online applications are already open on our website. You’ll just need to provide some basic personal details, information about your current school and the course or courses you’re interested in.
Once you’ve applied, you’ll be given access to our online admission manager to track the progress of your application.We’ll keep you updated about your application and let you know about any next steps, usually via email or text message. There’s a handy demo on YouTube which shows you how to use the admissions manager.
Depending on the course you’re applying for, you’ll usually be invited to meet with a member of our team for a quick interview later in the year. This is a great opportunity to talk about your interests, ask questions and make sure you’ve chosen the right pathway and course level. We’ll then offer you a conditional offer and wait for your GCSE results to come in before you can officially accept your place and enrol.
When should I apply? Are there any deadlines?
We might only be in the second half term of the school year, but we encourage prospective students to apply as early as possible. Applying early gives you plenty of time to explore your options, attend any required interviews and receive guidance before starting college.
Please check our website for the latest application information and any course-specific deadlines.
Don’t worry if you’re still making up your mind. If you have questions about applying or are concerned about a deadline, our admissions team will be happy to help.