University may not be the right career option for A-level students, according to Gaenor Bagley, head of people at professional services firm PwC.

PwC has received 1,600 applications for 100 roles this year for its school leaver programme, a 56% increase year-on-year, as students look for alternatives to university.

On A-level results week, Bagley says: “We want to lead the way in opening the door to jobs in business to as many people, and we’re working with students, careers advisers, universities and government to make that happen, including how we can introduce a new business apprenticeship programme focused on school leavers. For us, this is about getting the right people into the right jobs at the right time for our business.”