Higher education: fact file

What qualifications will I get?

Higher education isn't just about studying for an honours degree. You can do several other qualifications. Most people work towards qualifications at levels 4 to 6. Many take honours degrees such as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BSc). Many also take work-related qualifications such as a Higher National Certificate or Diploma (HNC/HND) and a Foundation degree (Fd).

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What courses can I do?

Whatever your interest, there's probably a higher education course to suit you. You have over 50,000 to choose from and each has a different mix of theory and practical learning. In some courses you study one or two subjects in detail. In others you gain work-related knowledge, understanding and skills. Course length varies from two to five years. Sandwich courses generally include a placement year in a workplace or a year spent studying abroad.

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Where can I study?

You can study full or part time at:

• a university or other higher education institution (HEI) that's close to home or some distance away
• a further education college - many offer a variety of higher education courses
• home through flexible and distance learning - you study on your own using multi-media resources, attending workshops or residential sessions as required.

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What's student life like?

You have to organise a lot of your own learning as tutors and lecturers guide you rather than tell you what to do. The staff and information on the intranet will help you get used to this. You meet many new people of different ages and from different places and backgrounds. Everywhere has student clubs and societies. Most have social and sports facilities too. You'll also have access to student discounts.

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What are the entry requirements?

The exact qualifications, grades and experience required depend on the course you choose. Most places accept a wide range of level 3 qualifications including A and AS Levels, BTECs and the Advanced Diploma. You can also enter higher education from an Apprenticeship and from full or part-time work. Check the entry requirements of the courses that interest you very carefully, as you may need to study particular subjects for specific courses. Contact the college or university if you have any queries.

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How much will it cost?

Costs depend on what and where you study. You'll have to pay tuition fees. You'll also have to pay for things like study materials, food, accommodation (if you decide to study away from home), transport, clothes and leisure activities. But you can get government help with these costs.

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What can I do with a higher education qualification?

Having a higher education qualification gives you many options. For example, you could:

• move up to a higher level of learning
• apply for jobs that interest you
• apply for a management or industry training scheme
• set up your own business.

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Where can I find out more?

Browse the University and Higher Education pages on Directgov, the UCAS website and the Uniaid website. Find out if your school or college offers higher education modules as part of the curriculum or organises other activities that give you a taste of what higher education is like.

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