What are my options when I leave school?
If you are eligible to access full-time course your options are:
College
You can
- study full time at College without paying fees
- study at NQ, HNC/HND level (some Universities accept an HND for entry into 2nd or 3rd year of a degree)
- study ESOL part-time or full-time if you need to improve your English language skills
You should:
- apply early – by February of your year of entry
- apply to more than one college because there is a lot of competition for places
- speak to your Careers Adviser and find out who is the best person in the college to send your application to.
University
You can:
- study full-time at University without having to pay fees. Your fees will be paid by Students Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS)
You should:
- apply through UCAS
- speak to your teacher or careers adviser about how and when to apply
- be organized and well prepared: the closing date for most applications is mid-January of the year of entry but some courses require you to apply earlier than this
- apply to Scottish universities only
Please note: You will not be able to live away from your NASS/Home Office accommodation. This limits your choice to universities within daily travelling distance.
You won’t:
- receive additional money for attending university
- be able to apply for a student loan
- receive support for halls of residence costs
If you don’t want to go to college or university full-time you could look at other options such as Volunteering and Training (see sections below)
Voluntary Work
Many courses/occupations expect you to have had some previous work experience. Volunteering can be a good way to get this. You don’t get paid but would receive your travel expenses. You can volunteer for as little as 2-3 hours a week, or it could be full-time.
Volunteering allows you to:
- Gain work experience in the UK
- Get a British reference
- Build skills and develop new ones
- Develop and enhance your CV or college/university applications
- Increase your confidence
- Get involved in your local community
- Make new friends
- Use and develop your English language skills
Check out the Volunteer Centre Glasgow for hundreds of local volunteering opportunities; or phone them on 0141 226 3431 for an informal chat about volunteering
Training
Speak to your Careers Adviser to find out more about the following training opportunities:
The Wise Group: Assign Project
This project covers a wide range of vocational areas and can also include a work placement. You can be involved full-time or you can attend on a part-time basis if you are also studying part-time at college.
Prince’s Trust: "Get Into" programmes
Short courses which give you the chance to gain skills and work experience which can lead to employment in areas such as Catering, Care, Baking and Retail.
Prince’s Trust: Team Programme
A 12 week programme which focuses on team building, confidence building, practical work experience. You will be able to get certificates for certain elements in the programme.
Morgan Stanley: Genesis Programme
An 8 week business-based development programme which focuses on Personal Development, Computer skills and Employment Training as well as team building, communication and customer service. The programme includes a 9 day work experience placement.
Employment
If you are a young Asylum Seeker, employment is not an option for you as you must have Leave to Remain to be able to work. However, if you are an Unaccompanied Minor who has been given Discretionary Leave to remain until a certain age, then you will have more options than young asylum seekers living with their families.
