This document provides information on alternatives to university education, including apprenticeships, traineeships, school leaver programs, and sponsored degree programs. It presents statistics from the UCAS website on the number of 18 year olds accepted to university in the UK and people entering higher education. Additional data is presented from parliament and YouTube on the increase in apprenticeship enrollments from 2009 to 2014. The document aims to dispel myths about university being the only path and that degrees are always needed, noting many successful people who did not obtain college degrees or A-Levels.

1. Topic Research: Universities and the Alternatives
The Alternatives
Apprenticeships
Traineeships
Take a qualification while working (earn while you learn)
School Leaver Programs
Sponsored Degree Programs
Employer-ledschoolleaver programs(directroute into work while
obtaining a qualification)
https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/getting-started/alternatives-
higher-education
This information is from the UCAS website, created for and
visited by college students. College students are our target
demographic so this information is important and reliable.
Facts and Figures
235,000 18 year olds accepted into a full place at
University
31% of 18 year olds in England were accepted into a
University place
532,300 people entered UK Higher education in 2015
https://www.ucas.com/corporate/news-and-key-documents/news/record-
numbers-students-accepted-uk-universities-and-colleges
These facts and figures are from the UCAS website, who
organize all the university applications, this information is
reliable because the UCAS website keeps track of all the
applicants.
499,900 people started an apprenticeship in 2015

2. http://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/SN06
113 - fullreport
This information is from the parliament website, as part of
Apprenticeships Statistics 1996-2015 report. This information
is mostly likely reliable but could be biased/exaggerated to
make the government look good.
89% increase in enrolment on apprenticeships from
2009 to 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-krNcXYKPDg
This information was taken from a YouTube video titled
“Apprenticeships vs University”. This information could be
correct. However, with no sources proving the facts, there is
no proof that the fact is correct and is therefore unreliable.
Myth-University degrees are needed formost jobs
Truth-59% of graduates are in non-graduate jobs
Myth-Those who go to university are always better off than those who
don’t
Truth-Many schoolleaver schemes fasttrack your career, making you
more qualified more quickly than a graduate
Myth-University is the bestroute for high achievers
Truth-With a broad range of programs,not all high achievers go to
university
Myth-All apprenticeships are just for tradespeople
Truth-Apprenticeshipshave been revolutionized in the 21st
Century
This information is from “A School Leavers Guide to Career
Options 2016,

3. Successful people who didn’t get University/College
Degrees/A Levels
Sir Richard Branson (Businessman)
Steven Spielberg (Movie Director)
Lord Alan Sugar (Businessman)
Jeremy Clarkson (TV Presenter)
Jeremy Corbyn (Labour Leader)
Kate Moss (Model)
Julie Burchhill (columnist for The Independent)
Jon Snow (Newsreader)
Benedict Cumberbatch (Actor)
J.K Rowling (Writer)
Sarah Millican (Comedian)