Higher education is the next step for those of you looking to follow on from your further education studies.  Higher education includes studies such as degree, HND and some professional courses.  You’ll likely study your chosen subject in more detail than you’ve previously experienced, and a full time HE course will often last at least three years, depending on the course, and often longer.

There will be a lot to consider when deciding on which option to take.  Getting the course you really want may involve moving away from home, for example.  There are financial considerations to take too, see the finance and grants section for more details on this.

Applications for HE courses are made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), and if you’re currently at school or college they will help you with this process.  For mature students you can contact UCAS directly to find out more by visiting their website or phoning 01242 222444.

Get an idea of what full time higher education is like by speaking to any students you know, and you could visit the National Union of Students website to investigate further!

If full time education is not a possibility, there are ways you can learn on a part time basis either from home or by attending a college or university. Take a look at the college links here to see what local colleges offer, or you could try the Open University.  The OU is actually the UK’s largest university and it enables you to learn from home, whilst still being able to meet or speak to a personal tutor.  Click here to visit their website or call them on 01908 653231.