I am studying Economics and Finance at Newcastle University. It’s a 3 year course with an opportunity to extend it to 4 years with a year in a placement position to gain experience in the work environment. The course covers the basic economics principles and start to incorporate areas of accounting and banking. At sixth form, the workload is placed more upon the student (still with lots of support available from teachers) in order to prepare yourself for whatever pathway you choose. The wide range of subjects available at 6th form also means that whatever role/course the student decides to do next, there will have been skillsets learned in these subjects that will be applicable after leaving Wales.

I am currently studying Criminology at University of Huddersfield. Criminology is helping me to learn about the laws within the justice system, the human rights around the world, and the various ways of researching and collecting data to help improve the justice and legal system across the world. During sixth form, psychology helped me learn about research methods and the way the brain works. Currently, as I have already said, I am learning about research methods so having already done this it has helped me understand more of this specific module. Using the knowledge I learnt in year 12 and 13 has helped me feel more confident on my course by having some understanding of the content I am learning. Criminology helped me learn the different routes I was able to go into before deciding I wanted to go to university. This had a big impact on pursuing criminology into further education. Health and Social has developed my ability to interact with the general public, which is a key aspect for my course. Also, the coursework I completed in Health and Social has given me a better grasp at the work I have to complete on my course.

After leaving Wales Sixth Form I started an accounting apprenticeship at Hart Shaw LLP in Sheffield. I spent the first 2 years study my Level 3 & 4 AAT qualification while also working. I then moved on to study a 3-year ACA qualification to become a fully chartered accountant again alongside working. After completing over 20+ exams I am about to sit my final one in the hope of becoming a qualified chartered accountant 5 years after leaving Wales Sixth Form. Studying A Level accountancy allowed me to gain a good understanding of the fundamental aspects of accountancy which helped me settle into my role at Hart Shaw as I already had a good level of knowledge when starting my training. Studying accountancy allowed me to see that it was a subject I enjoyed and was something I wanted to pursue a career in.