What is higher education?
Higher education (HE) refers to study at level 4 and above. HE is voluntary and is an option for those who have completed a level 3 qualification, such as A-levels and BTECs.
Commonly, HE takes place in higher education institutions (HEIs), such as universities or colleges, although distance learning (study from home) opportunities are available in some cases. For students who are unable to meet the requirements of full-time study, there might be a part-time route available. Courses are usually three years in length, but sometimes four, depending on the type of qualification and whether there’s a placement year.
Teaching is usually delivered through lectures and seminars, but the real learning takes place through the process of independent learning, or self study. Some courses might involve field trips, or a placement year in industry; these could take place locally, nationally, or even overseas!
In the UK, there are around 400 HE providers and around 50,000 courses to choose from. HE qualifications include:
- Foundation degrees – Foundation degrees combine academic and vocational skills in a higher education course, they’re the equivalent to two years of a bachelor’s degree.
- Bachelor’s degrees – An undergraduate degree that usually takes three years of full-time study to complete.
- Higher national certificates – (HNC) A higher education qualification similar to a foundation degree. Subjects are vocational and include engineering, business, and horticulture. HNCs generally take one year to compete, full-time, and are equivalent to one year of a bachelor’s degree.
- Higher national diplomas – The Higher National Diploma (HND) is a vocational course that takes roughly two years to complete. It is approximately equal to two years of a three-year bachelor’s degree, and can often be used to gain entry to a university course.
- Higher apprenticeships – An apprenticeship at level 4 or above, apprentices work towards a higher education qualification (HNC, HND etc.).
- Degree apprenticeships – A qualification combining a degree from a HEI and work experience from an employer. Applications do not have to go through UCAS.
- National vocational qualifications – National Vocational Qualification’s recognise the practical skills and knowledge required to gain employment in a specific job sector. Learning may take place in school, college or the workplace, with a task-based style of final assessment. There are five levels, ranging in equivalence from GCSE up to HE diplomas and foundation degrees.
Read more about different qualifications and how transferable they with our Interactive Qualification Chart, or read more about Apprenticeships.
Higher and degree apprenticeships
Higher and degree apprenticeships are a relatively new initiative. They are for people who wish to study for an HE qualification while learning ‘on the job’.
Apprentices receive the same benefits as an employee, including receiving a salary, holiday pay, a pension, and they have a high chance of being taken on full-time once they’ve finished their studies.
Oh, and did we mention that the employers pay the tuition fees?
The amount of apprenticeship programmes available is currently low compared to traditional courses (making them competitive to get onto), but the number is increasing all the time.
To see what apprenticeships are available in your area, visit gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship