Discover Your
Year 11 Timeline
September 2026
Think
Think about what you want to do after your GCSEs.
Discuss
Discuss your subject/career interests with a careers adviser as well as people who know you well, e.g. teacher or parent/carer. They can help you think about your skills and how you best learn.
Research
Start researching your preferred options and make a note of upcoming open days
Apply
Apply to at least three schools and/or colleges. Complete your applications as soon as possible as spaces fill up very quickly.
Make sure to check
Check each provider’s application deadlines and entry requirements, as these may vary.
Keep a record
Keep a record of where you have
applied to, the courses you have
applied for and when you submitted your applications.
Thinking about starting
an apprenticeship?
Now is a good time to research the different apprenticeships available. Also make sure your CV is up to date.
Get your references ready
You will need to provide a
reference – think about who in your school you can ask to do this.
Half Term Break
Use the half term break to assess your situation. Have you attended any open events? How many applications have you sent? If you haven’t sent any applications yet, do it now!
November 2026
More open events
and
applications
Continue attending open events and submitting applications.
Talk to your careers advisor
If you’re still unsure about your next step, speak to your school careers adviser before application deadlines pass.
December 2026
Interviews
Start preparing for your interviews.
End of term
The end of term is the ideal time
to have submitted all of your applications.
Check your emails
Check your emails regularly and respond if a provider contacts you about your application or next steps.
January 2027
Interviews start
Interviews usually start this month. These give schools, colleges and employers an opportunity to find out more about you.
It's not too late
If you haven’t applied yet, do it now. Some providers may still accept applications, but places can fill quickly.
February 2027
Follow up applications
If you haven’t heard back from
any schools or colleges you have applied to, contact them and find out what is happening with your application.
Be proactive
If you still don’t have an offer, contact your school or careers adviser as soon as possible to discuss your options.
Funding
You might be entitled to money that can support you while you study or complete your apprenticeship – this is called a 16-19 Bursary Fund.
Before Easter holiday
Have you heard back?
If you haven’t heard back with offers of a place and/or attended any interviews, contact the schools or colleges you have applied to.
It's not too late
If you haven’t made any applications, you can still submit them. Make sure to follow up your application.
After Easter holiday
Remember!
If you are looking for an apprenticeship, now is the time to keep on top of this!
August 2027
Results day
Results come out in August. If your plans change, you don’t get the results you expected, or you don’t have a confirmed place, support is available. Speak to your school or the Youth Advice Service as soon as possible.
Did you know?
If you are in Year 11, your official last day of school is the last Friday in June. Only after this date can you start working full-time or start an apprenticeship.