According to magazine Future-Mag, over half (54 per cent) of graduates say they would think again about choosing university as a path to a job.
So whether you’re reconsidering uni after results day, or simply looking for an alternative option to a degree, these are 11 paths you could choose without the need for higher education.
![The government has just announced a huge investment in nursing to allow healthcare employers to take on up to 2,000 new nursing apprentices every year. You’ll earn a salary while tuition costs are paid, and at the end of the four-year apprenticeship you’ll be able to qualify as a nurse. Pay averages between £24,907 and £37,890.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjQxNWY0OGQwLTBkMDEtNGJhOS1hYzA5LWY4MmRlMDY3MGVkMTphNzMyNmYyMy1mNDE3LTRiZGQtYTMyOS0wNmUyNDIyZGQ0ZDg=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
1. Nursing
The government has just announced a huge investment in nursing to allow healthcare employers to take on up to 2,000 new nursing apprentices every year. You’ll earn a salary while tuition costs are paid, and at the end of the four-year apprenticeship you’ll be able to qualify as a nurse. Pay averages between £24,907 and £37,890. Photo: Shutterstock
![As an air traffic controller, you’ll keep some of the busiest airspaces in the world moving. For this job, you have to be over 18 with a good level of mental and physical fitness. There are also some GCSE requirements.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmVlNjIzNzJjLTAxODgtNDYzNy05ZjU3LTI3NWExZTM2ODM3Yzo2MmEyNzQ3Ny0yNzRiLTQ5ZTEtYTU3ZC1iNGQ5ZmM2ZWQ0YjE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
2. Air traffic controller
As an air traffic controller, you’ll keep some of the busiest airspaces in the world moving. For this job, you have to be over 18 with a good level of mental and physical fitness. There are also some GCSE requirements. Photo: Shutterstock
![Solicitors advise clients about the law and act on their behalf in legal matters. You can now become a solicitor through an apprenticeship scheme approved in 2015. You’ll need good A Levels and have to pass some tough exams. Salaries range from £25,000 to £100,000.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmQ5YjM2MTZiLWIzYzgtNDljYy04ZGMxLTAwMzQ0ZWQxNTBlMDphM2JjOTM4Yy0zMmUxLTQ4Y2QtOGY0Yi1jZDc1Njk5NGVmMzE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
3. Solicitor
Solicitors advise clients about the law and act on their behalf in legal matters. You can now become a solicitor through an apprenticeship scheme approved in 2015. You’ll need good A Levels and have to pass some tough exams. Salaries range from £25,000 to £100,000. Photo: Shutterstock
![This one is a little more tricky to get into, but very rewarding - as a VFX you’ll produce visual effects for commercials, TV and even films. You can do a short course at London’s MetFilm School or try an apprenticeship at Next Gen. Once qualified, pay ranges from £18,000 to £50,000.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjQyYjBmMTQ0LTk3N2YtNGM3Yi05M2VjLTFmNWRlYzZiYjE2MDowMWJkYzA0ZC00NjAwLTQxYmUtODhkMC1mNTJhOTRkYTQ0OTE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
4. Visual Effects Artist
This one is a little more tricky to get into, but very rewarding - as a VFX you’ll produce visual effects for commercials, TV and even films. You can do a short course at London’s MetFilm School or try an apprenticeship at Next Gen. Once qualified, pay ranges from £18,000 to £50,000. Photo: Shutterstock