After finishing compulsory education, students take GCSE examinations. Students may then opt to continue into further education for two years. Further education colleges (particularly sixth form colleges) often form part of a secondary school site. A-level examinations are sat by a large number of further education students, and often form the basis of an application to university. FE covers a wide curriculum of study and apprenticeships, including T-levels, BTEC, NVQ and others, ranging from entry level to top level that leads to higher education. Tertiary colleges provide both academic and vocational courses.