Factsheet 2

Higher education institutions and qualifications

There are an amazing 50,000 courses to choose from at around 500 colleges and universities - everything from art and design to astronomy, and engineering to English.

The main places to take higher education courses are universities, specialist colleges and higher education colleges. They all offer a different range of courses and qualifications and have different facilities, both for studying and for sports and enjoying yourself.

Check individual prospectuses, official and unofficial websites to find out more about a particular university or college.

Wherever you go, you will probably take an Honours degree, one of the new Foundation degrees, a Higher National Diploma or Certificate (HND/HNC) or a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE).

No two courses are the same. Your work may be assessed differently and the particular areas of study will vary too. You might be able to take the course part-time. So you need to compare courses as well as colleges.

What is an Honours degree?

There are hundreds of subjects to choose from, but whatever subject you choose, you will usually be working towards a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree. There’s also an option to take a combined Honours degree where you choose two main subject areas.

A full-time Honours degree normally takes three years. You need to study a certain number of courses or modules - some compulsory and some optional.

Sometimes you can study your choices at a level that will give you an ordinary degree. For a degree with honours, you need to study at a more complex level.

What is a Foundation Degree?

Foundation degrees are new full- or part-time vocational degrees. They take two years full-time and are one level below an honours degree. They focus on the knowledge and skills that employers look for, and include practical work experience. All foundation degrees offer guaranteed progression to higher level study and there may be options to continue for an honours degree. Find out more from the website at www.foundationdegree.org.uk

What is a Higher National Certificate (HNC) and a Higher National Diploma (HND)?

HNCs and HNDs are offered in a wide range of subjects, which tend to be related to specific careers - from business to engineering. HNCs can often be studied full-time for one year or part-time for two. HNDs take two years full-time and there are often options to top up your studies by transferring to a degree course for a third year.

What is a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE)?

DipHEs usually take two years full-time or three years part-time. They are often linked to specific careers and include work experience.

Professional qualifications

Some professions, like social work or teaching, have specific study and course requirements. For others, such as psychology or law, you need to study a certain type of degree before you can take the postgraduate qualifications you need. It is only possible to join these professions if you have passed specific courses approved by them. Talk to course advisers or careers guidance staff before you choose your course to make sure it will suit the career you have in mind.

What are sandwich courses?

For some subjects, experience of working or studying abroad is a real advantage. These courses ‘sandwich’ a work or study placement between the first and second, or second and third years.

The university or college will help you find an individual placement that enhances your studies and gives you a better chance of a job once you have gained your qualification. If you choose to study languages, or a subject such as European business, your course will probably include some time - up to a year - abroad. Your university or college will help you find somewhere to live, and organise a study or work placement for you.

What is postgraduate study?

There are a number of qualifications you can take at a level higher than a first degree. These include Masters degrees (MSc, MA or MPhil), Postgraduate Diplomas and Certificates. You usually need to have completed a degree before taking a postgraduate course. These are often a chance to focus on a subject in more depth and higher qualifications can give you an advantage.

What is distance learning?

Distance learning is done part-time and usually from home. You probably will not attend classes and you will get your materials in the post or by e-mail. You complete assignments and send them back for marking. At the end of the course, you might have to sit an exam. Not all universities offer distance learning as an option and it is not available for all subjects. The most famous example is the Open University, where courses can be studied at home or work, with some residential components. Courses are open to all - regardless of educational qualifications. For more details take a look at www.open.ac.uk