Students up and down the UK will be collecting their GCSE results this Thursday.

On August 24, teenagers will head to their schools or open their post to find out their final grades.

Many will be looking to enter sixth form while others will be off to college if they score the specific grades required to gain a place there.

But what happens if things don't go to plan, and what are your options? What are the next steps to take once you have your results to hand?

Here's everything you need to know for GCSE Results Day 2017.

What to do if you don’t get the grades you need for sixth form or college

Students embrace as they celebrate their GCSE results at Lampton School in Hounslow

For most sixth forms or Further Education colleges you will be required to get specific grades in order to gain a place.

Some sixth forms and colleges also have a grade boundary for particular subjects, so always check the criteria you are expected to meet.

If you just miss out on a grade, you can speak to the sixth form or Further Education college to see if they will still accommodate you with the lower grades

Or, they may offer you a place, but on a different subject or course.

Alternatively, you could try another sixth form or college as each centre could have different requirements.

What to do if you just miss out on a grade

Students at Kingsley Academy discover their GCSE grades

If you don’t get the grades you were hoping for, be at your school on the day the GCSE results come out to get the best help from your teachers.

If you have just missed out on a grade, or you feel strongly that your grade doesn’t reflect your ability, you can ask for your paper to be remarked.

This can be set up through your school, but you will have to pay a fee which is only reimbursed if there is a grade change.

Retaking an exam

If you need to resit GCSE Maths, English, or English Language, these exams are available in November.

However, any student who sits an exam in the November must have reached the age of 16 on or before August 31 in that calendar year.

The age restriction is a recent change and the November series will be restricted to entries for English Language and Maths.

If you need to resit several subjects, you may have to wait until the following June.

If the resit isn’t a subject that is required for your chosen courses, you may be able to start your A-levels in the meantime. Each sixth form and college will be able to advise you.

If I don’t get into sixth form or college, what else can I do?

You might decide that you don’t want to study A-levels, but there are other types of qualifications available.

BTECs

A vocational qualification which gives students the skills they need to enter higher education or employment.

The skills are obtained through practical, work-related activities, allowing the students to apply what they have learned.

There are over 2000 BTECs across 16 sectors available to study.

City & Guilds

A range of vocational and technical qualifications and apprenticeships, helping students to develop their skills for career progression.

St Augustine's Priory

City & Guilds provide services to training providers, employers, and trainees across a variety of sectors to meet the needs of today’s workplace.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study to achieve a qualification.

You will be working alongside experienced staff in a real working environment, and will be paid during your apprenticeship. You will be entitled to the National Minimum Wage.

You must be paid at least the minimum wage rate for your age if you're an apprentice aged 19 or over and have completed your first year.

Keep up to date with the latest news in west London via the free getwestlondon app.

You can set up your app to see all the latest news and events from your area, plus receive push notifications for breaking news.

Available to download from the App Store or Google Play for Android .