Red and yellow seats spread across the floor with bookshelves on either side.

Leaving School

Are you leaving school this year? It can feel a little bit daunting as you prepare to make decisions about your future, but please be assured that there is lots of support to help guide you to make your choices.

Schools Guarantee

We guarantee a college place offer to all eligible school leavers in Edinburgh, East Lothian, and Midlothian.

Our guarantee promises that we will help every school leaver who applies to college find a course at the right level in the right area to support their education and career ambitions.

Firstly, it’s essential to know what choices are available to you. If you are looking to continue your education, consider what your end goal is and plan how you will achieve it.

There is more than one route to qualifying. Did you know that you don’t need a place at university to start your degree? Studying an HNC/HND course at college can support progression to University in year one, year two, or in some instances year three, and students benefit from:

  • smaller class sizes
  • flexible study options
  • more class contact hours and individual study support

For more information about full-time college pathways, contact Course Information on 

Alternatively, you can drop in to our virtual or campus open days, where you can speak with teaching staff, tour our campuses, and see our facilities firsthand. Keep an eye on our events page for dates.

Useful websites to help you

Career Coach - An online career and course matching portal that enables you to make informed course and career choices. A direct link to the Edinburgh College course portfolio provides access to over 900 courses, offering a range of study options that enable progression to employment or further study to achieve career goals.

myworldofwork - Information and advice about career planning from Skills Development Scotland.

Apprenticeships.scot - Information on Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprenticeships and current vacancies.

Student at a desk in the library with their laptop open, looking at Edinburgh College progression maps on the screen.

Studying at Edinburgh College

Whatever level of studying you are at, Edinburgh College has a range of courses designed to get you ready for the world of work.

Browse our courses Funding and fees