Qualifications and Next Steps 2021

Qualifications are being awarded differently in summer 2021.  This page gives you info about different qualifications.  You can also find out how to get support if you’re feeling unsure or worried.

Getting support

If you’re feeling anxious, unhappy or need advice on next steps, there are lots of people and organisations that can help and support you.

Meic

Meic can listen to you if you’re feeling worried and help you to feel better.

You can call them or chat to them online.

CONTACT MEIC

Childline

Childline can listen to your worries and help you to cope with them.

CONTACT CHILDLINE

Papyrus

Papyrus is a national charity preventing young suicide across the UK. They provide confidential support and advice to young people struggling with thoughts of suicide, and anyone worried about a young person.

GO TO THEIR PAGE

Mind

The mental health charity mind has made an information hub specifically for young people.

GO TO THEIR PAGE

Mental Health – Local Counselling Services

If you need help with your mental health, here is a list of all local authorities’ counselling services.

Thanks to Welsh Government for putting this list together.

SEE THE LIST HERE

Going to University

If you’re doing A Levels this year you might have applied to uni for next year.  On results day on 10th August you will find out if you have been accepted to a course.  If you don’t get a place at one of your chosen universities then there is a process called ‘clearing’.  This means you can consider other university courses that might suit you.

Go to the clearing website

Getting ready for University

Going to University?

This page will help you to prepare for the next step in your education.

GO TO THE UNIVERSITY READY PAGE

Appeals for GCSEs and A Levels

Go to the WJEC website for information on appeals.

Vocational Qualifications

If your qualification is similar to A levels or GCSEs then your grades will be determined by your school or college.  These types of qualifications include BTECs, WJEC Vocational Awards and Applied Certificates and Diplomas or Health and Social Care: Principles and Contexts qualifications.

Your school or college will ensure that the assessment is on topics that you’ve been able to cover.

You should receive your result no later than learners who are studying A levels and GCSEs. A level results will be published on 10 August and GCSE results on 12 August.

Some qualifications are not similar to A Levels or GCSEs.  For example, you may need to demonstrate practical skills such as plumbing, construction, hairdressing or performing arts.  For these qualifications there are different arrangements for different qualifications. You should ask your school or college for info about your assessment.  You can also check with the organisation that awards your qualification or search for the approach to your qualification here:

Summer 2021 Qualification Explainer Tool

Updates and more info about vocational qualifications are available here:

Qualifications Wales / Information for learners

Revision guides

The Welsh Government has published revision guides on Hwb to help young people.

A Level

The revision guides cover the following subjects:

  • Mathematics
  • History
  • Sociology
  • English Literature
  • Religious Studies
  • Media Studies
  • Physical Education
  • Art & Design
  • Welsh
  • Computer Science
  • Government and Politics

GO TO THE A LEVEL REVISION GUIDES

After Year 11

If you are in year 11 you are likely to be thinking about what to do in September. This page will help you to think about the next stage of your learning.

GO TO THE YEAR 11 PAGE