Higher Education

 ( Under Construction)

Higher education offers a wide range of courses and qualifications, including first degrees, higher national diplomas and foundation degrees. Most courses are taught at universities, but some are taught at further education colleges or specialist institutions.
Why get a higher education qualification?
  • It’s an investment in your future.
  • It can be a personal challenge that will provide the satisfaction of studying a subject that you really enjoy.
  • A qualification can improve your chances of getting a fulfilling job and increase your lifetime earnings potential.
  • It’s essential preparation for your chosen career eg: architecture, chartered engineering, medicine.
  • It can be a springboard that provides you with the flexibility of career choice. For example, you could study history and then train as an accountant, journalist, lawyer or teacher.
  • It is an opportunity to develop transferrable skills including research, data collection, analysis, evaluation, oral and written communication, team-working, time-management and organisation. 
  • It is an opportunity to experience independence, develop your interests, meet new people and grow as a person. 
Why not get higher education qualification?
  • Not all rewarding careers require a higher education qualification. Many successful people did not progress to higher education. Take for example, Richard Branson, Coco Chanel, Simon Cowell and Johnny Depp.
  • Higher education can be expensive.  
  • Living away from home, family and friends can be stressful.
Think about it!
  • The decision you make about pursing higher education, or not, will have a major impact on your life. It’s really important that you spend time to fully research the benefits and costs of higher education, looking at career entry routes and requirements. You can also take a look at our higher education weblinks.
  • Your time spent doing this research will not be wasted. If you enjoy what you do and like where you’re staying, your university days will be very happy and formative.
 
Not going to University?  See http://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/
  • Most young people who leave school at 18 with level 3 qualifications (A levels or equivalent) go on to study in higher education, but some make a positive choice to go straight into employment at 18.
  • Are you the type of person who prefers to learn new skills and knowledge while you are working? If this sounds like you, there are many options that include apprenticeships, A level entry (or equivalent) traineeships and vocational training courses at further education colleges.
What is vocational training?
  • Vocational training prepares you for a specific career or job. You develop knowledge and skills directly related to a career or job. If you want to get a recognised qualification related to a particular career or job, an NVQ may be for you. You can study level 2/3 NVQs at work, college, or as part of an apprenticeship. Then, if you wish, you can progress to a Level 4 degree-equivalent qualification. It will take you longer to get to Level 4, but will cost you less in tuition fees and you’ll be earning all the time.
  • Vocational qualifications will also earn you extra UCAS tariff points in case you ever decide you want to go to uni full-time. See the City and Guilds website for the qualifications comparison chart.
Apprenticeships and training
There are 3 levels of apprenticeships with the top level being a higher apprenticeship (Level 4). There is a wide range of occupations where you can get training. Some of these occupations include aviation catering, games-testing, engineering, the music business, youth work and business administration. For the full list of occupations go to the Apprenticeships website. You can also take a look at our apprenticeship weblinks to do further research.
How to find an apprenticeship
  • Ask your school careers adviser for help.
  • Take a look at the apprenticeships section on this website.
  • Look on The National Apprenticeship Service website and check out the National Vacancy Matching Service. 
  • Call the National Apprenticeships helpline on 08000 150 600 (freefone number). Apply directly to employers.
  • Be prepared for interviews! Have your CV up-to-date and ready. See our section on writing a CV and look at some CV examples. Be prepared to fill out employer application forms and to attend one or two formal interviews. Make sure you have your smart interview clothes ready.
What’s the pay?
At least 20 days paid holiday per year. The Lifetime Earnings Premium Advantage research carried out by the University of Sheffield showed that people who completed Advanced Apprenticeships gained an average of £105,000 lifetime earnings premium over workers who had not done an apprenticeship.
A Level entry (or equivalent) traineeship
Some career areas, such as business/retail/accountancy, are taking on increasing numbers of bright A level (or equivalent) school-leavers on professional training programmes. Read this article on the Recruiter website. On such traineeships, you’ll work, be paid a good training salary and get part-time education/training in order to gain relevant professional qualifications.
Here are some traineeship examples:
  • PwC offer the HEADstart scheme which enables school-leavers to earn while training for the ACCA or the Association of Tax Technicians (ATT) qualifications.
  • The Arcadia Group offer a retail management training scheme.
  • Retail banking. Read the Financial Service Skills Council article on opportunities within financial services sector.
(Don’t forget, most vocational qualifications will also earn you UCAS tariff points ie the AAT level 3 NVQ in accounting ,’ A’ pass =160  Tariff points)
Further education colleges
You may want to study a full-time vocational course, lasting 1-2 years, at a local Further Education college, or a private Further Education college. If so, there are a huge range of courses available.
Finding courses
Useful articles