Deciding what you or your child should do after O Levels has never been easy but opting for the most obvious answer may not be the right solution.

'Think university, think A/Levels'. They go together like curd and treacle. But being traditional does not necessarily mean it's most appropriate and may be now is the time to take a fresh look at University entrance. Leaving aside the very small percentage of students securing a place in Sri Lankan universities, the potential pitfalls associated with A/Levels are too numerous to list. And for all the time invested in re-sitting A/Levels, the likelihood of improving grades by anything more than a very small margin is extremely low, leaving many students no further forward.

As with many other things in life, there's no single best solution but surely, as concerned parents, you should be aware of all the options. That is why International Foundation Year (IFY) which is equivalent to A/Level provides access to more than 2000 courses in a total of 20 of the best UK Universities. Their most obvious advantage is that from start to university entrance, they normally take just one year to complete, whereas A/Levels can swallow up almost 2-3 years for the same process. Many offer progression routes into a wide range of universities.

The NCUK International Foundation Year, for example is accepted at 20 top drawer UK universities. Foundation programme normally takes coursework and assignments into consideration when determining the final grade. The programme offers that most precious of advantages, the guarantee of places at one of the UK university members on successful completion of the course. And not everyone is in a great rush to get overseas. Many would like to take their first year of the degree in Sri Lanka at much lower cost and with the support of family and friends. A good provider will offer this option, often referred to as an International Diploma.

Features such as these put holders of International Foundation Year (IFY) qualifications at a clear advantage. As university entrance the world over becomes increasingly competitive, the value of a guaranteed place cannot be overstated. With costs spiralling never was it more important to follow a route that will lead to employment in a professional career as rapidly as possible. And as visa regulations tighten around the world, the security of working with providers who are experts in arranging transfers to international universities ensures that time and effort will not go waste.