Pure Potential

School Leavers

There are several school leaver programmes on offer to students who want to begin their career and bypass university. Such programmes allow students to receive a professional qualification whilst working. Deciding whether a school leaver programme is right for you is often a difficult task. We have outlined the following points for you to consider before you make your decision:

Pros:

• A school leavers programme is an alternative route into professions such as Accountancy and Banking
  
• You can achieve a professional qualification whilst earning money and gaining work experience
• Going to university can be expensive and can lead to debt
• You gain firsthand experience through working with professions within an industry that interests you
• You can go on to higher education at a later stage of your life

Cons:

• University provides students with three or more years to think about what career they want to go into before committing to anything
• Whilst at university, students develop a wide range of skills which provide a strong foundation
• A university degree is flexible and provides access to a range of careers, where as a school leavers programme focuses solely on one particular profession
• A degree can help you quickly progress up the ladder and often opens new doors
• There is a great deal of support and government help available to those who apply to university

Before making your decision, it is always a good idea to speak to your parents, guardians and teachers. They can offer you guidance so you can make the right decision. Speaking to people who have joined a company through a school leaver programme will help answer many of your questions, as well as speaking to university students to gain both perspectives.

Here is a list of school leaver programmes: 

• Grant Thornton
• PricewaterhouseCoopers
• KPMG
• ICAEW
• Barclays