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What is Further Education?
What is Further Education?
Further Education is study taken in either a college, training provider or sixth-form environment. It is the step before university study and the gateway to many careers.
It it usually split between 'academic' or 'vocational' study.
At the Sheffield College you can study from Entry level to Level Three (we also have Higher Education courses- you can get more details about HE here).
The table below shows what sorts of qualifications are available at the levels. Over time you will progress up the 'ladder', studying at higher levels than you have before. You can progress sideways along the chart but depending on the course/opportunity and your entry requirements, you may need to 'retrain' at the same level.
Reality Check
You have to stay in education/training until you are 18.
Each level of study and every course will have specific entry requirements which means you need to achieve these in order to progress/be accepted. Usually this will be your Maths and English grades.
Some courses may also ask for evidence of competency in subjects like science and art.
Not all qualifications are the same 'weight'. Most BTECs at Level Three are equivalent to 3 A-Levels, but some can be only 1 or 2. Make sure you know what your qualification is worth.
19+ years old? No problem!
Further Education (FE) colleges cater to students of all ages. Many students return to education after long breaks to work, have families - or both!
Adult learners have the option of improving their Maths and English, learning or improving a trade or even studying towards an Access course - a great way to access university level study, even if you left school ages ago and feel you don't have the necessary qualifications.
What to do next
If you would like to join a college course, it would be wise to look at the sorts of courses and levels available. You can look at other local colleges and providers, or check out the Sheffield College. If you aren't sure about whether you have the right qualifications for a course, speak with your tutor or email admissions@sheffcol.ac.uk. Want to decide which could would be best? Think about these questions:
What career/profession do you want?
What level of education does that job need?
Are there other routes into that career? Which is the best route for you?
Will the experience or knowledge from that course be useful or beneficial?
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