However, there is wide-spread concern thousands of students will miss the mark when it comes to this year’s A-level results, according to MetFilm School.
Research conducted by Aviva also revealed 24 per cent of the UK’s former students regretted going to university.
If you don’t fancy another three years of study, can’t face the debt, or don’t think you’d get there, don’t worry.
There are plenty of new routes into careers that were once the preserve of graduates.
These new opportunities are partly thanks to a rise in apprenticeships since government and business invested more in professional training.
Here are 10 jobs you can do without a degree:
5. Computer forensic analyst (cyber security) - Pay: £25,000 to £50,000
Investigate and thwart cyber crime. They might work for the police or security services, or for computer security specialists and in-house teams. They’ll follow and analyse electronic data, ultimately to help uncover cyber crime such as commercial espionage, theft, fraud or terrorism. Cyber security professionals are in high demand in both the public and private sector in the wake of high level breaches and perceived terrorism threats. And there’s a severe shortage of qualified professionals. Cyber security higher apprenticeships (level 4) are offered by major infrastructure and energy companies and – excitingly - the security services. Photo: Contributed
6. Junior 2D artist (visual effects) - Pay: £18,000 to £50,000 once qualified
They help artists produce all the whizzy visual effects (VFX). They assist senior VFX artists and prepare the elements required for the final shots. Eventually they’ll be employed by post production companies working on commercials, television series and feature films. You could do a practical short course at London’s MetFilm School (Ealing Studios) and try to get into the industry that way, or do an apprenticeship via Next Gen. Photo: Contributed
7. Youth worker - Pay: £18,00 to £33,000
Work with young people and help them develop personally and socially. They might work with local services, youth offending teams or voluntary organisations and community groups. They might help organise sports and other activities, or be involved in counselling and mentoring, or liaising with authorities. Many enter youth work as a volunteer or paid worker, but you can now qualify via a youth work apprenticeship. Photo: Contributed
8. Estate Agent - Pay: £15,000 to £40,000
Estate agents sell and rent out commercial and residential property, acting as negotiators between buyers and sellers. Some estate agents offer an intermediate apprenticeship as a junior estate agent, or you may be able to start as a trainee sales negotiator and learn on the job. Estate agents often work on commission which means that you have a basic salary and also earn a percentage of the sale or rental price of any property you sell or rent. Photo: Contributed