Sixth Form Career Pathways

Where will the Deepings Sixth Form take you?

The subjects you choose to study post-16 lay the foundation for your future, whether that’s university, apprenticeships, or entering the workforce. These pathways are designed to help you develop specialised skills and knowledge aligned with your interests and future goals. Choosing the right combination of courses can be challenging, which is why we encourage you to carefully consider your career pathway to understand where course combinations will take you, and the future opportunities this can lead too.

Please explore our career pathways, and visit the course information page or a deeper dive into each subject.

Course information page

Year 12 Pathways

Media and Communications

A career in media and communications is dynamic, fast-paced, and always changing! This pathway is perfect for students who want to dive into the world of storytelling, news, and digital creativity. Imagine yourself as a future journalist, editor, content creator, or social media manager—keeping people informed and entertained. Whether it’s through broadcasting, advertising, or creating the next viral post, this field opens doors to careers in journalism, PR, and beyond, letting you shape how the world sees and shares information.

Possible combination of courses

Recommended Courses Options 

Complimentary Course Options 

Media Studies  

English Literature and Language  

Psychology  

 

 

Sociology 

History 

Business / Business 

Spanish 

Information Technology

Creative Industries

The pathway appeals to students passionate about art, design, and visual storytelling. Students develop critical skills in creativity, self-expression, and artistic techniques. You’ll build skills in creativity, self-expression, and mastering artistic techniques that can lead to exciting careers as a graphic designer, illustrator, animator, musician, actor, or writer. In the creative industry, there’s room to make your unique mark—whether it’s on the big screen, in galleries, or across social media!

Possible combination of courses

Recommended Courses Options 

Complimentary Course Options 

Media Studies 

English Literature and Language 

Psychology 

Sociology 

History 

Business / Business 

Spanish 

Information Technology

Drama and Theatre Studies 

Media Studies 

Music 

 

Crime and Deviance

Consider this pathway if you are interested in criminology, sociology, or law. It involves studying the causes of criminal behaviour, the impact of crime on society, and the criminal justice system. Career options include roles in the police force, probation and correctional services, forensic science, and legal professions. This pathway also lays the foundation for university studies in criminology, sociology, and law.

Possible combination of courses

Recommended Courses Options 

Complimentary Course Options 

Psychology 

Sociology 

Criminology 

Medical Science 

 

 

Education

For students excited by the thought of teaching or working with young children in the early years. Career paths can include secondary and primary school teaching, special education support and childcare. This pathway can also serve as a stepping stone toward becoming a certified teacher with further training and university study.

Possible combination of courses

Recommended Courses Options 

Complimentary Course Options 

Early Childhood Development 

Health & Social Care 

Maths 

English 

Sociology 

Psychology 

Subject specific where students wish to teach in secondary education, they need to have an A Level in their subject of choice. 

Information Technology

Health and Social Professions

Do you want to make a real difference in people’s lives? If you’re interested in health sciences, psychology, or social care, this pathway equips you with skills to support and uplift vulnerable communities. Imagine yourself as a future nurse, social worker, counsellor, or health administrator—helping people every day. This pathway also opens doors to higher studies in nursing, psychology, or public health, offering endless ways to make a positive impact in the healthcare world.

Possible combination of courses:

Recommended Courses Options 

Complimentary Course Options 

Medical Science 

Health & Social 

Sociology 

Psychology 

Early Childhood Development 

Physical Education  

Sport 

 

Sports and Fitness

Are you passionate about fitness, sports science, and promoting active lifestyles? The Sports and Fitness pathway is perfect for students who love movement and want to turn that passion into a career. You’ll dive into anatomy, physiology, coaching, and sports management—building skills that could lead to careers as a personal trainer, sports coach, fitness instructor, or physiotherapist. With wellness on the rise, new fields like sports psychology, nutrition, and wellness coaching are also flourishing. This pathway gets you ready for dynamic roles that keep people fit, motivated, and thriving!

Possible combination of courses

Recommended Courses Options 

Complimentary Course Options 

Physical Education  

Sport 

Medical Science 

Psychology 

Biology 

Health & Social Care 

Sociology 

Maths 

Medicine and Science

The Medicine and Science pathway is for students who are curious about biology, chemistry, and making scientific breakthroughs. Whether you dream of being a doctor, pharmacist, or researcher, this pathway dives into human anatomy, medical ethics, and laboratory skills. It’s a great step toward university studies in medicine, biomedicine, or life sciences, preparing you for cutting-edge fields like genetics, microbiology, or biotech innovation. If you want to be at the forefront of healthcare and science, this is where you start.

Possible combination of courses

Recommended Courses Options 

Complimentary Course Options 

Biology 

Chemistry 

Physics 

Maths 

 

Environmental Studies and Science

If you’re passionate about our planet, the Environmental Studies pathway is for you! Careers in this field are growing, with opportunities in environmental consultancy, wildlife conservation, urban planning, and renewable energy. With the world facing environmental challenges, this pathway prepares you to take on roles in sustainability, advocacy, and green tech—making a real impact on the planet.

Possible combination of courses

Recommended Courses Options 

Complimentary Course Options 

Geography 

Sociology 

Biology 

Maths 

 

 

Humanities

The Humanities pathway is all about exploring the big questions in life—through history, philosophy, literature, and culture. This pathway builds critical thinking, analysis, and communication skills, preparing you for diverse careers like journalism, education, research, and public relations. With a foundation in the humanities, you’ll gain a broad perspective on the world, an understanding of society, and the skills to share complex ideas in meaningful ways.

Possible combination of courses

Recommended Courses Options 

Complimentary Course Options 

Geography 

History 

Sociology 

Medical Science 

Business and Finance

Are you interested in the fast-paced world of business? This pathway equips students with skills in economics, business management, and financial literacy. This area prepares students for careers in accounting, finance, entrepreneurship, and corporate management. This pathway offers flexibility, with skills transferable to virtually any industry, making it a popular choice for students aiming for a career in the private sector.

Possible combination of courses

Recommended Courses Options 

Complimentary Course Options 

Economics

Business/ Business

Financial Studies

Maths

Information Technology

 

Digital Technologies (Computing and IT)

This pathway is designed for students with a keen interest in technology, coding, and digital solutions. This field covers areas such as computer programming, cybersecurity, software development, and data analysis. With technology continually evolving, the Computing/IT pathway offers students the opportunity to work in high-demand roles across various industries, from finance and healthcare to gaming and artificial intelligence.

Possible combination of courses

Recommended Courses Options 

Complimentary Course Options 

Computer Science 

Maths 

Digital Media 

 

 

Engineering

Engineering is all about designing, building, and creating solutions to real-world challenges. This pathway spans exciting fields like mechanical, electrical, civil, and aerospace engineering, perfect for students who love math, science, and problem-solving. To dive into engineering, you'll often study core subjects like Maths, Physics, and Computer Science at A-level or through vocational qualifications—gaining skills in mathematical modelling, physics, and coding. These foundations set you up to innovate and tackle problems that make a real difference in the world, from developing new technologies to building the cities of tomorrow!

Possible combination of courses

Recommended Courses Options 

Complimentary Course Options 

Maths 

Physics 

Computer Science 

Geography 

Biology 

Chemistry 

Information Technology

 

Politics and International Relations

The Politics and International Relations pathway is perfect for students who are interested about understanding how governments work, what drives policy decisions, and how countries interact on the global stage. Dive into the big ideas that shape our world, explore real-world case studies, and learn about international events as they happen.

This pathway sets you up for exciting careers like working in government, diplomacy, global organisations, or even becoming a political advisor. It's also an ideal foundation for university studies in fields like political science, international relations, or public policy, where you can make a real impact in global and public affairs.

 

Recommended Courses Options 

Complimentary Course Options 

Politics 

History 

English 

Economics 

Sociology 

Spanish 

Geography 

Psychology