There is an exciting and diverse range of progression routes for BOA students. Upon completion of their studies at BOA, students have the opportunity to progress into higher education at university or vocational schools, commence an apprenticeship or technical qualification, enter employment, or develop their skills further through a gap year.

Destinations data for 2025:

• University/Higher Education: 69%
• Further Education: 10%
• Apprenticeship: 2%
• Employment: 8%
• Gap year: 11%

In 2025, 69% of our students progressed onto higher education degree courses at universities, prestigious vocational institutions, and conservatoires, including:

• BIMM Music Institute
• Bird College
• Guildford School of Music and Drama
• Leeds Conservatoire
• Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts
• Mountview
• Rose Bruford College
• Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
• Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
• Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance
• University of the Arts London
• Urdang

Students from various pathway groups have also received offers to study at Russell Group universities and universities that specialise in the arts.

Moving directly into employment or self-employment accounted for 8% of students from BOA in 2025.

Many of our students, freshly equipped with a multitude of skills and knowledge gained at BOA, move directly into the world of work. The experience of working alongside our partner organisations also leads to a range of employment and self-employment opportunities for our students.

Over the years, students from BOA have found permanent jobs within the music industry, the theatre industry including at the New Alex and Old Rep, communication, education, the leisure, hotel, and tourism industries including at Birmingham Airport and on cruise ships, retail at companies such as John Lewis and Waitrose, the military as part of the RAF and British Army, and the engineering sector at BMW.

Apprenticeships accounted for 2% of BOA students during 2025.

Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study. As an apprentice, former students work alongside experienced staff, gain job-specific skills, and earn a wage. This is supplemented with time for study relating to the role being undertaken.

BOA staff can provide details of how to apply for an apprenticeship, including advice and guidance on writing applications and how to approach interviews.

Students have secured exciting apprenticeship opportunities in a range of roles within the creative industries, including opportunities with theatre in education groups, technical theatre arts, and media organisations.

In 2025, 11% of the year group elected to take a gap year prior to extending their formal education or entering permanent employment. When looking at this statistic, it is important the time is used wisely and, wherever possible, in the context of where a student sees their future.

Many students undertake valuable volunteering work or get involved in international projects. Other students undertake a part-time job or go travelling. All of these help to build on a student's experience and help to enhance skills.