Higher Education are courses you study after 18 at level 4 and above. These can be studied at colleges or universities and as full / part time, or apprenticeship options.
HTQs Higher Technical Qualifications. These are new courses being introduced from 2023.
University
After school, many people decide to continue their learning at a university. A bit like at school, universities allow you to gain a qualification in a subject you’ve chosen to study. At university though, these qualifications – called degrees – are at a higher level, in fact pretty much the highest you can get. With one of them under your belt, you’ll be able to aim for all sorts of jobs that you wouldn’t be able to otherwise.
Why go?
There are lots of reasons why people choose to go to university:
You can gain a qualification needed for a job you want. Many jobs require you to have completed a university degree before you can start. For a lot of people, going to university helps them get a better, higher paid job.
You can study a subject you enjoy in depth. It might be your favourite subject from school or it might be something completely new. There’s all kinds of subjects you can study at university. Whatever you choose, you’ll spend between 3 and 5 years learning in classes, discussing topics with other students, and producing work of your own.
You can experience life as a student. It’s not all about the work. You’re a young adult, free of school, able to meet new people and try new things… There’s a lot of fun to be had.
What kind of subjects can you study?
There’s a big variety of subjects you can study at university. Some, like Dentistry or Engineering prepare you for a specific career – you’ll need a degree in those subjects if you want a job in that area. Many people study more general subjects though, like History or Spanish or Maths. Degrees like these are useful for all sorts of jobs and will give you skills that will help you in whatever career you choose.
If you want to be a doctor, you’ll need a degree in Medicine. You’ll study for 5 years, learning all about the human body and how to treat illnesses. Outside the classroom, you’ll gain experience in hospitals, putting what you’ve learned into practice with real patients.
Today, a lot of jobs require you to have a university degree. In many cases, it won’t matter what subject your degree is in. Just having one shows that you’re able to work to a high standard. However, there are some jobs that require you to have a degree in a specific subject such as architect, social worker, vet, lawyer, teacher, nurse, physiotherapist.
The Uni Guide is a easy site to use to research courses and entry requirements.
UCAS has listings for all HE courses and institutes plus subject guides and a wealth of carer informaiton. It is the site you apply though for courses.
Student Finance Explained.
What is a student loan?
Funding is available in the form of student loans to help you pay tuition fees, as well as to help you with the cost of living while you study.
In order to qualify for a student loan, you must be studying at a recognised or listed college or university on a full-time course. These are institutions that can legally award degrees or are affiliated to those that can. You must also be a UK national or have settled status. And you need to have been living in the UK for at least three years prior to starting your studies.
The loan is broadly split into two parts: a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of your studies and a maintenance loan to help you with the cost of living while studying. Tuition fee loans are generally paid directly to your university or college so generally you won’t see the money.
Maintenance loans are paid on a sliding scale according to your needs. These are means tested by your household income, which for most young people effectively means that of their parents. Depending on how much they earn, the means testing system may expect them to contribute to your cost of living while studying.
Remember that all student loans need to be repaid once you have graduated and started earning. And interest will be charged on your loans from the moment you take them out – even while studying.
Don’t let this put you off. More than two thirds of students take out both types of loans to help them pay for their studies. Relatively speaking, student loans are not expensive, and you only start paying back once you’re earning above a specified threshold.
How to apply for a loan?
in England you will need to apply to Student Finance England
For means tested maintenance loans you will need to provide information about you or your family’s household income. You will also need to apply for your loan at the start of each academic year, as circumstances and entitlements can change. You can apply for all of the above loans online.
How do loan repayment work?
You will repay your loan over a 30-year period. But it’s only repayable once you start earning over a certain threshold.
Currently, the threshold for repayments is £26,575. Once your salary is above this amount you will pay back 9% of everything you earn before tax. Interest is charged on a sliding scale with a maximum amount limited to 3% above the Retail Price Index (RPI).
It’s important to remember that if you don’t earn over the threshold, you are not required to make any loan repayments although you will still be accruing interest.
Most people never actually pay off the full loan amount. In this sense a student loan is more like a graduate tax, with higher earners paying back more over time. Any outstanding loan amounts are written off after 30 years.
What's the Russell Group?
The Russell Group are a group are a group of 24 world class universities in the UK. Watch the video clip below to find out more.
Informed Choices is a Russell Group guide to the best subjects to choose for your chosen degree
UCAS
To apply for university course you go through UCAS (University & College Application Service) Their website https://www.ucas.com/ is a brilliant resource to research courses, universities and find out more about Higher Education options.
How to choose a university course.
The Uni Guide is useful site to research all things linked to Higher Education.
Future U Parent & Carer Guide to Higher Education
35e8d554756854698a6325ba8155053b
The table below has links to a range of useful websites when thinking about university
|
Name |
Summary |
Link |
|
Which university |
Help on choosing a Uni with various comparisons and also a range of free downloadable guides. |
|
|
What Uni? |
Compare the best University & degree courses for free - Degree course rankings, university reviews, degree course details, university profiles to help you decide |
|
|
Complete Uni Guide |
League tables of the best universities, 2019. Compare universities, courses, prospects and career options. |
https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings |
|
UniStats |
Includes official data for undergraduate courses on each university and college's satisfaction scores in the National Student Survey, jobs and salaries after study and other key information for prospective students. |
|
|
Apply to Uni |
Apply to Uni is an independent platform which allows students to access all the information required in order to continue with their studies at degree level. |
|
|
Best Course for me |
A charitable, unique, free-to-use, independent website. It provides accurate, impartial information for students contemplating university entrance with the specific aim of improving social mobility by encouraging able students from non-academic and disadvantaged backgrounds to choose courses that best meet their career ambitions. |
|
|
Bright Knowledge |
Bright Knowledge is the essential guide to careers, education and student life. Bright Knowledge is here to help you work out what you want to achieve and how you can get there. |
|
|
CourseFindr |
Use Coursefindr search to find your ideal college or university, course or degree |
|
|
Push |
Push features easy-to-read, detailed and tell-it-like-it-is profiles of every university in the UK covering information about student life that's not found elsewhere. |
|
|
Student Crowd |
StudentCrowd is an online review community for everything at university. Students love writing reviews to share their experience of university, halls, courses, clubs & societies, modules, banks, etc. |
|
|
UK Course Finder |
Free online product designed to support the choice of HE Study. Completion of the study interests questionnaire helps to refine subject choices. Options available for type of course, choice of location and tariff. |
|
|
UniFrog |
Unifrog is the complete destinations platform – a one-stop-shop for students across KS4 and KS5 regardless of their interests or academic ability. |
|
|
Uni Taster days |
UniTasterDays.com is an award-winning source of university events. |
|
|
Russell Group |
The Russell Group’s guide Informed Choices provides students with information, advice and guidance about their post-16 subject choices |
|
|
TEF Outcomes |
All ratings for the Teaching Excellence Framework for HEIs |
https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/teaching/tef-outcomes/#/ |
|
Gameplan |
Gameplan is a free games-based website provided by King’s College London that allows 10-14 year olds and their parents to explore university. Whether it’s university study, finance, life and skills, future career options, qualification choices or even how to perform better in school, gameplan will equip you with everything you need to know! |