Thinking about your Options?
Start shaping your future with the right choices.
Explore how the subjects and skills you’re learning now can lead to exciting, high-earning careers in Digital Technology, Business & Finance—one of the UK’s fastest-growing and most powerful sectors. From building the next big app to running global companies, trading millions on the stock market or creating viral digital content, this is where creativity, logic and ambition turn into serious money and real influence.
Check what’s available at your school and remember: choosing a strong mix of creative, technical and analytical subjects keeps your options wide open and your future full of possibilities.
Core subjects
What to study?
Relevant Year 9 Options Subjects
Closely Linked Subjects
💼 BTEC Enterprise – Builds understanding of entrepreneurship, marketing, finance and how companies really work.
💻 Computer Science – Core coding and programming skills that open doors to software development, AI and tech giants.
🌍 Geography – Key for logistics, global trade, data mapping, GIS systems and understanding patterns of trade.
🎨 Graphics – Essential for UI/UX design, branding, advertising and digital content creation.
📸 Photography – Highly relevant for social media management, e-commerce visuals and digital marketing campaigns.
Linked Subjects
🚀 Boost: Skills for life & learning – Builds confidence and core skills in numeracy, literacy, science & digital to support GCSE Maths & English pass for Year 9 students working towards grade level.
🍽️ Hospitality & Catering – Links to food retail, supply-chain tech and hospitality business systems.
✂️ Hair & Beauty – Connects to salon management software, beauty e-commerce and influencer marketing.
🏛️ History – Develops research and analytical skills useful in economics and business strategy.
🗣️ Modern Foreign Language – Key for global trade, international finance, multilingual e-commerce and cross-border digital business.
🙏 Religious Education – Builds cultural awareness vital for global business and international finance roles.
🧵 Textiles – Relevant for fashion retail, e-commerce platforms and supply-chain technology.
🗺️ Travel & Tourism – Directly ties into online booking systems and other consumer technologies, travel tech start-ups and tourism marketing.
Career areas
Unlock Careers in Digital Technology, Business & Finance
See the high-paying, future-proof roles you can unlock with this gateway—from creating the apps everyone uses to managing multimillion-pound companies.
The table below highlights 10 of the most popular and diverse roles currently in huge demand—perfect starting points for your future.
Career Areas within this Gateway |
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| 💹 Accountant
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👨🍳 Chef
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🎥 Content Creator
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| 💻 Web Designer
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📊 Data Analyst
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👩🍳 Kitchen Manager
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| 💻 Software Developer
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🕵️♂️ Ethical Hacker
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📈 Business Analyst
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Post-16 opportunities
T Levels are a two-year qualification equivalent to three A Levels and combine classroom learning with an extended in-depth industry placement lasting at least 45 days. On completion, progression can be onto Higher / Degree apprenticeships, university or employment.
T Levels are available locally in:
- Digital Software & Website Development
- Cyber Security
- Business Management & Administration
- Finance
- Legal Services
- Marketing
Some, or all, of the above T levels are offered at the following local colleges:
- NSCG – View All Courses
- Stoke on Trent College – T Levels
- City of Stoke on Trent 6th Form College – Courses Archive
A-levels are a 2-year programme ideal for students who want to study 3 subjects in depth and plan to progress onto university or a Higher apprenticeship. They can be a great option for learners who enjoy learning facts and theories, are good at exam assessment and are good at doing independent learning and research outside of the classroom.
Subjects relevant to a Digital pathway:
Computer Science, Maths
Subjects relevant to a Business & Finance pathway:
Maths, Economics, Accounting, Business Studies, Psychology, English, Further Maths
A levels are offered at the following local colleges and 6th Forms:
- NSCG –A Levels and A+ Programmes
- City of Stoke on Trent 6th Form College – Courses Archive
- St Thomas More – Sixth Form
- St Josephs College – Sixth Form
- St Margaret Ward – Sixth Form Courses
Apprenticeships can be a great option for learners who are ready for the work place and are sure about the job they want to pursue. Learners will have to find an employer to take them on by searching for apprenticeship vacancies and going through the employer’s recruitment process. Employers are generally looking for applicants who are self motivated, have a good standard of maths and English and are reliable and passionate about achieving their chosen job role.
School leavers will usually start on either a Level 2 (Intermediate) or Level 3 (Advanced) apprenticeship depending on job requirements and GCSE grades. Level 3 apprenticeships are generally equivalent to 2 A-levels.
Search for ‘Digital’, ‘Business & Administration’ or ‘Legal, Finance & Accounting’ vacancies by postcode Browse apprenticeships before you apply
Pre-apprenticeships are ideal for learners who want an apprenticeship but are not quite work ready. Need to improve your maths and English, develop your confidence or gain some relevant work experience? If so, a pre-apprenticeship or study programme at a local training provider could be right for you.
A study programme with work placements in Business, Customer Service, Retail, Digital Marketing / Social Media or Finance are offered locally at:
Learn 4 Work | Learn 4 Work
Vocational courses can be a good option for learners who know what career sector they want to go into but may not meet the entry requirements for T levels or A-levels or where there is no relevant T level option available. Focusing on coursework, with some external assessments, they include both practical and classroom based learning.
Vocational courses are available from Level 1 up to Level 3 depending on GCSE grades and will include English and maths, if grade 4 or above has not already been achieved in these subjects.
Level 3 vocational qualifications are equivalent to 3 A-levels and are widely-recognised to get you into university, apprenticeships or employment.
The following colleges offer vocational courses in subjects such as Accounting, Business, Finance and Law
Stoke on Trent College (Cauldon) – Courses
NSCG – Accounting, Business, Travel & Legal
City of Stoke on Trent 6th Form College – Courses Archive