University vs Apprenticeships
There are two main options for people leaving school who want to further their education, go to university and start an apprenticeship. Both are good options, for different reasons, and both have a large ariety of subjects.
Traditionally university was for people studying more academic subjects but nowadays there are a number of vocational subjects on offer. However, within these vocational subjects there is still a lot of theory and not as much practical work. If you are more practical minded then an apprenticeship is the better option as you gain more hands on experience and are able to apply the skills you are learning. If you feel you want a theory aspect then there are degree apprenticeships which combine the best aspects of both uni and an apprenticeship whilst leaving you with a degree at the end of it.
If you are unsure of the exact job role you wish to pursue then uni is probably the best option as it has a much broader range of careers whereas an apprenticeship restricts you to one specific role so is best if you know exactly what you want to do. Some industries, such as medicine and law, require a degree which means that uni is the only option.
Apprenticeships are free if you are under 25 and in most cases you even get paid to do them whereas a university degree cost upwards of £9000 a year for a minimum of 3 years. If you can't afford to pay for uni then the government provides student loans which only need repaying once you earn a salary over £21000. However, if you don't want to end up with a massive debt then university may not be the best option.
Both university and an apprenticeship are highly regarded by companies and in terms of salary you will earn a similar amount. Therefore the decision comes down to personal preference and it depends on how you learn best and what sort of career you want to go into.