It’s clear that pre-university pathways better prepare students over a shorter period due to the makeup of the course. The time saved by following a pre-university pathway will be better spent later in university following the increasingly popular trend of taking a placement year while at university. A great many UK universities offer work placement years. During this year, students have an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in their course sector by working for a company or organisation. A work placement year gives students greater industry knowledge, helps them connect with industry professionals, boosts their CV with real work experience, and gives them greater insight into possible career paths. Alternatively, a student might be incredibly keen to get their teeth into the world of work, and finishing your degree a year earlier affords this opportunity.