Life after A-levels

Going to university isn’t your only option. You can kick start your career and gain real practical experience, along with functional skills and a salary with an apprenticeship, or specialise in your chosen area with a CISI professional qualification.

Further study, real practical experience, or both?

After receiving your results, you need to decide on what to do with your future. You may prefer to gain real practical experience and boost your employability, while earning your own salary with an apprenticeship or you may prefer to move on to higher education and study further. Whatever your choice may be, you should make an informed decision about your future.

Taking a CISI professional qualification, either as a school leaver or apprentice will equip you with highly relevant and practical skills that are valued by employers. If you decide to move on to higher education, and if you aspire to work within the financial services sector, our professional qualifications will also boost your employability and allow you to specialise in your chosen area.

Is university worth it for you?

When, in 2003, the Government was marshalling the arguments for the introduction of tuition fees, its white paper, The future of higher education, claimed that “those who have been through HE in the UK earn, on average, 50% more than those who have not”.

Various other studies around the same time suggested that for every year of higher education an individual received, it was worth an additional 10%–15% wage premium. Over the lifetime of a theoretical average graduate, the value of this additional benefit was assessed at around £200,000 over a non-graduate.

Therefore, the Government argued, tuition fees were a just contribution that an individual who would earn significantly higher financial rewards should make, and strongly encouraged more young people to enter higher education. In 1990, the percentage of 17–30 year olds in higher education was almost 20%. Today, it is close to its target of 50%.

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Hear from others who have completed professional qualifications

Your options aren't limited to only attending university or becoming an apprentice. You can also study a professional qualification along with your degree programme or apprenticeship to gain practical knowledge, or specialise in a chosen discipline, even if you are starting out in the field. See what others have to say about our professional qualifications.

Georgia Sherman MCSI

Channel Marketing Executive at Quilter Cheviot
Awarded the top prize for the Chartered Wealth Manager Qualification

Read Georgia's back story

Scott Moorhouse ACSI

Ex-Paralympian and Assistant Relationship Manager at Seven Investment Management
Achieved the Investment Advice Diploma (IAD) and currently studying for the Private Client Investment Advice & Management exam

Read Scott's back story

 

Rebecca Taylor CFPTM
Chartered FCSI

Managing Director, Aurea Financial Planning
Achieved the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification

Read Rebecca's back story

Oliver Balchin

Former Sales & Distribution Apprentice at M&G
Achieved the Investment Operations Certificate (IOC)

Read Olivers's back story

Kick start your career

Currently CISI professional qualifications can be taken as part of an Apprenticeship in Providing Financial Services. We have also been working with employers to develop new standards for apprenticeships and, from October, our professional qualifications will also be available as units within the some apprenticeship standards.

Contact educationdevelopment@cisi.org for more information.

You can find out how to get ahead with an apprenticeship, a CISI professional qualification or a degree with one of our partner universities below.

Apprenticeships Professional qualifications CISI partner universities