Do you go to uni or do you not? If you don't go, will you be able to get a job? Here are five different routes that you could consider – each has something different to offer.1) Do a degreeStudying at university might be the way to go if you're serious about a career in the industry.Willie Walters, programme director for fashion at Central Saint Martins says: "I'd say a fashion degree is exciting because it enables students to let go, within the constraint of learning the skills."A degree will give you historical and contextual knowledge that other routes into the industry might not provide.Industry projects can set a course apart and give you valuable experience while you're studying.Walters says: "Through our placement scheme students go out and work in industry, with companies like Louis Vuitton, Celine and Gucci, but also lesser-known designers. Within our curriculum we do a project with Liberty, but we also do a project for Grayson Perry."But studying at uni is also a great time to collaborate with other students."At university you will be studying with some of the best people in the world, so you will have that amazing interchange of ideas," says Walters.2) Go to a private collegeAs well as universities that specialise in the arts, there are several private colleges opening up that offer fashion courses.For students who dream of being the editor of Vogue, Condé Nast's College of Fashion and Design must seem like the ideal place to study. But the name comes at a price: a ten-week Vogue fashion certificate is an eye-watering £6,600 and a year-long foundation diploma costs £19,560, (excluding VAT).Susie Forbes, principal of the Condé Nast College of Fashion and Design, says: "Our courses are designed to fast-track students into work. Students at the Condé Nast College get unique networking opportunities, not only with their impressive peer group but also with the huge range of industry speakers who come in to talk to them."If you're interested in working in fashion retail, The Fashion Retail Academy offers fulltime and short courses that could lead you into a career in retail.3) Specialise at postgraduate levelYou could enrol on a fashion course as an undergraduate straight out of school, or you could study a more general degree and then specialise later.Christopher Moore, director of the British School of Fashion at Glasgow Caledonian University, says: "The postgraduate students who study with us come through two routes: they either study design at uni and then realise their business understanding is lacking, or they do a general business or management degree, or perhaps even law, accountancy or geography and then want to convert into fashion."A postgraduate degree gives you the chance to specialise and really develop your skills. It might also give you the edge when it comes to finding a job.Moore says: "If you leave uni and try to go straight into the industry, there aren't actually that many job opportunities for undergrads. The market has become so competitive that very often the very best fashion companies can take their pick, so they will go for the graduates who are the most rounded and the most educated."4) Consider an apprenticeshipBut maybe you are sick of studying all together, and just want to start working – if so, an apprenticeship could be the route for you.Ada Anoje left school after her A-levels to do an apprenticeship at Savile Row tailoring company, Gieves and Hawkes. She started as a trimmer and has worked her way up to bespoke coat maker.She says: "I think for anything that's creative and hands on, it's so much better to go straight and direct and work your way up through different companies. I feel sorry for my friends – many of them went to university, had a loan and everything and they still haven't go the jobs that they're after."But finding an apprenticeship can be difficult. Joanne Matthews, creative curriculum director at Fashion Awareness Direct says: "I think there's still not enough provision for apprentices. There are some great apprenticeships out there but we're talking about single opportunities available, not talking about hundreds or thousands of opportunities."Finding an apprenticeship is the first hurlde, but the second is having the dedication to move upwards.Anoje says: "When I started I did lots of errands and wasn't doing what I wanted. But at the age of 19 I started collecting my pension and I thought, wow."5) Go it aloneKaltrina Sopa did a foundation degree in fashion and thought she would go on to study for a BA at university. But she didn't enjoy studying, so decided to try looking for opportunities straight away instead.Sopa did work experience in the head offices of various fashion companies (Marks and Spencer's, House of Fraser, Topshop) and then got a temping job in River Island. A full time position came up and she now works as an assistant buyer.She says: "I was really put off by the fees at university – I didn't want to be in £30,000 debt. You're told you have to go to university, but now I'm actually in the job lots of people say you don't need a degree."But we warned – it can be difficult to find opportunities straight away as a school leaver. Work experience can be a good place to start, but you may well need some experience already in order to get a placement.If you're thinking of setting up your own business to get your foot in the fashion industry, Leighton suggests collaborating with other young people. His social entreprise, We Create*, helped young designers sell their work in pop up shops across the midlands.He says: "It's really difficult when you start up, you might not know how to get going. Collaborating with other people can help a lot."Some top tips for students who want to work in fashion• "Work hard, engage with every aspect of your course and make the most of networking opportunities," says Forbes.• "I think people who do things for themselves always stand out - whether it's customising things or making their own clothes, getting any experience they can making things for themselves and others is great. Young people can really easily set up a blog and write about their opinions and what inspires them," says Matthews.(theguardian.com)ANN.Az