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Some apprenticeships are now offered at level 4 & 5 and more and more at level 6 (thats yr 1, 2 & 3 of a degree). At the college where I work (I teach Degree level courses that are accredited to a local university) we offer a level 4/5 course for apprentices, whereby they are employed as an apprentice, but will come into college 1 day a week to do essentially their foundation degree (year 1 and 2 of a degree), over a 3 year period, as a part time student.

If apprenticeships are available in psychology, then there may be courses available at degree level so, you/she will have to check this out. I'm sure her careers advisor will be able to find out by looking on the apprenticeship framework.

However, if she still has a few years to go until she's 16, and the framework shows that it's a no go at the moment, don't lose heart because the courses are being written regularly.

My colleague who looks after the particular apprenticeship that I've mentioned had some administration to do to marry over our regular foundation degree onto the apprenticeship framework. I'm sure once we get up and running (in september), we'll then be able to marry over the level 6 course (our top up degree), now that the approval for level 6 apprenticeships have been approved by the government (this only happened a few weeks ago).

Also if you/your daughter is worried about debt, then look at going to Further education colleges that offer accredited university degrees. The courses are comparable to a traditional uni degree, indeed the certificates that our students get have the uni logo on and out logo and they graduate in the Uni colours, but they are significantly cheaper. For example, the uni that our degrees are accredited by have their degrees offered at around the £8500 mark per year, but ours are between £5200 and £5800 depending on what course it is. You normally also find the class sizes in FE colleges that offer HE courses are much smaller, so you get a more focussed and individual lesson. For example, the maximum class sizes we have are 32 in a class, but that is for core units whereby 3 courses are taught one unit together. A typical pathway unit (so their individual course specific units) may only have about 10 students in. So essentially, they get alot of individual time with the lecturer. The only major downside may be that the social life my not be typical 'student lifestyle'.

Hope my tuppenths worth helps.

A colleague of mine wanted to be a solicitor. Got a law degree, but couldn't afford the next load of fees for her solicitors exams. Came to work in our place and has just qualified as a legal executive (she's in her late 20's now). In career terms she would have been in exactly the same place if she had left school after A levels, except a few years earlier and without a load of debt.

Frankly, I don't know what to advise my 17 year old. If she goes to college I gather she will face paying an extra 9% tax until she's in her 50's; at the same time she is also going to face paying car loans, mortgage, childcare etc. I certainly couldn't have afforded to have paid an extra 9% tax over the last 35 years.

Thanks to everyone who has contirbuted, can't tell you how much it helps.

I have had a chat with my daughter tonight, yes a chat, I was quite surprised she listened and didn't shout, lol  Anyway, I have told her to concentrate on her GCSE's first and do the best she can, then look at A levels and then onto an apprenticeship.  She is sitting her English early and has just completed her controlled assessment, on her mock exam she got an A.

She has her sights on this now and not going to uni but I have suggested that we view one on an Open day just to be sure (thanks to whomever suggested that!)

I think we need to take a step at a time and as someone else suggested speak to the Schools college/job advisor, sorry can't remember their proper title.

I have told her as long as she's happy that will make me happy but I don't want her to sell herself short, she has plenty of capability but stresses alot.

Thanks again all