Results Day may feel like the be all and end all, but the reality is that whatever is in that envelope – you now have choices. Chances to chase your dreams, try something new, challenge yourself, or step out of your comfort zone.

Click on the image above to launch the Oaklands College virtual tour

What happens to you after A Level or GCSE Results Day is entirely your choice – and the good news is there is plenty of help on hand to support you make the right decision. With all young people required to receive education or training until the age 18, the choice is now yours as to whether you want to continue in formal education or get ahead with experience in work-based training.

Have you thought about college? College provides high quality technical and professional education and training together with critical employability skills. Last year, colleges were responsible for preparing 2.7 million students in the UK for a career after study*. With nearly twice as many 16-18 year olds choosing college over school last year (744,000 over 433,000*), college is an increasingly popular route for school leavers in the UK.

Here at Oaklands College our motto is ‘Take on the World’ – we are dedicated to support you during your time here, giving you the skills and experience to get you exactly where you want to be in a future career. Our campus facilities such as high-spec science labs, industry-standard hair and beauty salons, kitchen, motor vehicle workshops and sports facilities (to name but a few) are just some of the ways we incorporate day to day practical training into our vocational study programmes.

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With relevant and valuable work experience built into every full time study programme, you’ll have a great grounding to move on to your next step after College. We’re proud too that 98% of our students progress into employment, an apprenticeship or further study within four months of finishing their course.

Fancy coming to see what we’re all about? We have Advice and Enrolment evenings at both of our campuses over the next week where you can see it all for yourself. Come and see our facilities, meet the tutors, find out more about your chosen course, and if you’re up for it, enrol on the spot for a September start.

Our Oaklands College campuses in St Albans and Welwyn Garden City offer different courses, so check out where you’d be based for your chosen course here . Our Student Advisers are on hand to offer support and chat though your options.

College life can be quite different to studying at school, there’s a lot more independence and lots available to take advantage off. There’s trips, workshops and activities you can get involved with – and you can even step up and make the student voice heard in our Oaklands Student Union.

Get a head start and check out our online virtual tours to get a feel for our facilities and click here for full details of our Advice and Enrolment evenings. Whatever the results in that envelope – we’ve got you covered!

(* - Association of College Key Facts 16/17)