University (Higher Education)

University is a pathway that takes place after year 13 where most students study for a degree. It is also the first step into Higher Education.

A degree is usually a three or four year course – also known as a bachelor's, undergraduate or first degree. Universities are dynamic academic environments with lectures and seminars, usually made up of different modules adding up to the full degree.

Please see the video below, this will give a break down of things you may want to consider when preparing for Higher Education.

You might get to choose some of the modules you take, so you'll be able to study the parts of your subject you're most interested in.

• Two subjects? Take a joint course (50/50) or a major/minor (75/25).
• Work experience? Do a sandwich course and work for a year in the industry your subject is based on.
• What next? After you graduate you'll be closer to a career, or you can move on to postgraduate study.

It is very important that you meet the criteria to be able to apply for the subject/area that you want to study and the university that you want to apply to. This is where pre planning and talking through your career aspirations with an adult becomes important so that you choose the right options in earlier key stages.

There are other shorter undergraduate courses.

These are ideal if you want a quicker qualification. Do one year of a degree – a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) – or two years – a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE), Higher National Diploma (HND) or Foundation degree.

These don't lead directly to postgraduate study, but you can go into the second or third year of a full degree if you change your mind and want to graduate after all.

UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)

UCAS is the organisation that is responsible for managing applications to higher education courses in the UK. UCAS stands for the 'Universities and Colleges Admissions Service'. Their aim is to help students make informed choices that are right for them, guiding them, as well as their parents and advisers, through the entire higher education application process.

Today, UCAS processes over 2.5 million applications every year, for some 650,000 prospective students across the UK and beyond: helping them gain access to more than 340 UK universities and colleges.

Please see the video below, this will give a break down of things you may want to consider when preparing for Higher Education.

Please use the link to find out more about UCAS and how they can assist you.