Year 13 Results Day Guide 2025
This guide will support students receiving their results on or by 14 August including
- A levels and other level 3 qualifications, including BTEC and T Levels
There is information about university options and other alternatives including apprenticeships.
- A-level and T Level results come out on Thursday 14 August
- Other qualification results, including BTEC Level 3 will be released on or before 14 August
- GCSE results come out on Thursday 21 August
- UCAS Clearing will be open for eligible students to make a Clearing Choice at 1pm on results day and will close on 20 October. The Contact number for UCAS for students is 0371 468 0468 and you will need to have your 10 digit UCAS personal ID Number and 6 digit Clearing Number ready
For more information visit the Ofqual page.
We will still be available to support you on results and other days. Careers advisers will be available in various sixth forms on A level/BTEC/T Level and all schools on GCSE results day in the morning.
Come in and see us if you need advice on results days from 2 to 4.30pm at Young WorkPath office, Idea Store, 260 Commercial Road, E1 2FB (near Shadwell DLR and Shadwell Overground Station).
You can also contact us from Monday to Friday, 9am to 12pm and 1 to 5pm as we will also offer careers interviews over the phone or via video
Tel: 020 7364 1401 or 0800 3581 2410 (freephone)
Email: youngworkpath@towerhamlets.gov.uk
We expect to be very busy, so please be patient if contacting us. There is also information on our Young WorkPath pages.
What could you do after year 13?
The entry requirements can vary and often depend on the level.
- University
- Apprenticeship
- Employment
- Study programme (traineeship/pre-apprenticeship)
- Gap year
- NVQ
- Programme
- Volunteering
- Resit/s
What are the different options?
Explore your options after year 13, or browse careers advice on the Young Tower Hamlets website.
University
Full or part time, which can be from 3-6 years (typically 3). This requires a level 3 qualification, such as A levels/BTEC/T Level and often GCSEs (in Maths and English Language), and sometimes specific subject/s but depends on the course and the university.
Apprenticeships (levels from 2-7)
A work, learn and earn option, where you are employed by a company to work 80% of the week (usually 4 days) and 20% studying (usually one day per week or in block release every few weeks) for a qualification relevant to your job and is paid for by the company. For higher/degree level apprenticeships (Level 4 to 7) you will need to be 18 and have a level 3 qualification. Apprenticeships last for a minimum of one year to 18 months (longer for higher level/degree apprenticeships).
Employment (if with training sometimes called an ‘apprenticeship or school leaver/training programme’)
Could be full or part- time working for a company in a variety of sectors and entry requirements can vary. If an apprenticeship or school/college training programme, you would work for a company most of the week and get training/qualification for that job.
Supported internships
A Supported Internship is a 12-month supported work placement programme for young people (typically for those aged 18 to 24 with an EHCP). The supported internship usually provides the intern with insight into a company with the purpose of leading the intern into employment. Each Supported Internship will have its own specific criteria for the programme.
Gap Year
There can be different reasons for wanting to take a year out, but most people work, volunteer and/or travel. Some companies have specific gap year schemes which you would usually apply to before you finish year 13 and are only for that specific year, but sometimes those who take part can be offered a permanent job or may secure a job after university with the same company. Check for any travel restrictions.
If you secure a university place for September 2025 and you want to defer your entry to the following year, you must get permission from the university first (in writing). Otherwise, you will need to apply to university again during your gap year. Please note there will be a new personal statement format for 2026 entry. You can find detailed guidance in the UCAS Writing your Personal Statement section.
NVQ (levels 1-7)
Is another type of vocational qualification that involves training for a specific job, a work-based way of learning, which is carried out at a college, or workplace usually in conjunction with an employer. NVQs involve a range of on-the-job tasks and activities that are designed to test you on your ability to do a job effectively. They may also be studied as part of an apprenticeship.
Programme
There are various other programmes depending on circumstances and interests and what is available at the time. These could be short courses building up IT skills for example. These short programmes are a great addition to a CV/job application form.
Volunteering
A great way to understand a business, organisation or company, explore career area/s, develop skills and meet new people. It can also look great on your CV. Volunteering is also a positive stopgap in between jobs.
Re-sits
Depending on your results you might be able to re-sit some subjects while working and/or studying.
Common questions about UCAS
I have applied to university, have my offers, and not replied
Your reply date is unique to you – log into Track or go to UCAS application to see your deadline.
I have applied to start university in 2024 and replied to my offers but I would like to defer to start next year in 2025
You need to contact the university or college directly to discuss if this is possible and to check if that university will hold your place. Visit UCAS for more information.
I have applied to university but not received any offers – Clearing
Clearing is how universities and colleges fill places they still have on their courses and gives applicants without a place the opportunity to find a course. From 5 July to 20 October 2025, you can contact as many universities as you would like to check if a course of interest still has places.
If you are in Clearing, your UCAS application will indicate this. You can search the UCAS website for Clearing vacancies or use Clearing Plus, (which is a facility for students in Clearing) that matches you to courses you may be interested in, using what UCAS knows about you from your application, and what universities and colleges are looking for, and you can still search for something different. For more information go to https://www.ucas.com/clearing-launch
Results day
I did not get the grades I wanted
Hopefully, you can still progress onto your next step - Contact universities to find out or see if you can be accepted onto a degree with a foundation year if your grades are not enough for your chosen degree course. Also, if you have a query regarding your grades, you should speak to school staff about this and ask about the appeal process. Remarking ('review of results') will be done through them (unless a private candidate/home schooled).
There could be a fee and your grade/s could go up or even down. There is further information in the Ofqual guide.
Resits
For resit/s, some students may choose to study independently and enter exams as private candidates. Private candidates register to take exams in a school, college or other type of exam centre. Some exam centres only deliver assessments and exams, and do not teach students. There could be a charge.
If after your 18th birthday you have not passed GCSE English Language and/or Maths (grade 4 or higher), you may be able to resit or take an equivalent qualification, including Functional Skills Level 2. The resit might take place in the November exam series and/or retakes for other subjects take place the following summer. Some colleges may also offer 1-year intensive A Level programmes. You will need to check eligibility, grade and the subjects you are allowed to take for this option.
I have not made any applications
If you want to go to university, and have not made an application, you can still make a Direct to Clearing application. You will need to pay a fee of £28.50 and write a personal statement and provide a reference. You will need to make sure you have the required grades for your chosen course. If you call UCAS on 0371 468 0468, someone will be able to help you and talk you through the process.
If you want to apply for a work-based option, like an apprenticeship, one of our team can help if you contact us and you can also use the resources on the last page to search for vacancies.
Visit UCAS for more information.
Conditional place - if you have applied to university and your offer/s are conditional on your results, have your UCAS login details ready to check the status of your application at 8:15am on results day. There are different possible options depending on your results.
Unconditional place - If you are taking exams but have been made an unconditional offer, your results will not affect whether you get accepted. But check the offer to see any changes and if there is anything else you need to do. If you are holding a university firm unconditional place you no longer wish to take, you can use the ‘Decline my place’ button in your application. However, please note that declining your place is not reversable. If in doubt, speak to a Careers Adviser first to discuss your options.
Adjustment
Adjustment is no longer available. However, if you have a firm unconditional place and your results are better than expected and you now want to apply to a new university, you must contact the new university directly (have your personal ID number ready) and find out the possibility of getting a place on your chosen course. If you are then given permission, you can use the ‘Decline my place’ button in your application, which will then release you from your firm unconditional place and put you into Clearing - you can add the new clearing choice from 1pm on results day and then wait to see if that university will accept you. You must get permission from your new chosen university before doing this. If you are unsure, seek advice as the process is not reversable..
Be prepared!
If you didn’t do as well as expected, it doesn’t mean that you cannot progress. Get support from those around you
- at home
- school staff
- sixth form/college
- Tower Hamlets Young WorkPath.
Come in and see us on results days from 2 to 4.30pm at WorkPath office, Idea Store, 260 Commercial Road, E1 2FB (near Shadwell DLR and Shadwell Overground Station).
On the day please have:
- your results
- any acceptance letters/emails
- a fully charged device with telephone and internet access
- notepad and pen.
If you are going into school to collect your results, you should also take these with you in case you need to make phone call/s and make notes.
Resources
Various careers/results day information
A few links for apprenticeships and jobs (check company website/s directly):
Taking a gap year
Studying abroad