'Many further education courses are designed to prepare you for the world of work. Alternatively, you may want to consider higher education.'
For many further education students, beginning a career after their studies is an exciting next step. Many further education courses are designed to help you gain practical experience in your subject and have long-established links with industry. Students who have completed a work placement during their course often find that this gives them an advantage when it comes to applying for a job.
Alternatively you may be thinking about applying for a higher education course in the UK. Some of the options available to you are described below:
Higher education
Depending on the type of academic or vocational further education qualification you have studied for (and your achieved or expected result), you may be able to apply to continue your studies in higher education.
A-levels, BTEC Nationals, CACHE qualifications and the Diploma can all contribute to your UCAS Tariff - the points system used in the UK when applying for undergraduate study.
You can find out more about higher education - including how to apply for courses - on the higher education pages.
Beginning your career
If you choose to head straight into a workplace, you will find that many employers look favourably on further education qualifications.
Many courses will have been designed specifically for your area of interest. For example, CACHE qualifications are career-based courses created for people who want to work with young children, while NVQs are work-based qualifications which help you learn to apply industry skills to employment.
If you’ve studied for BTEC Nationals, you will find that any work placements or technical skills workshops you have participated in have given you excellent preparation for the workplace. For example, if you were studying for a BTEC in Mechanics, you may have worked on a placement with a transport company or in a hotel if you were taking a Hospitality and Tourism course. Providing evidence of these placements will certainly enhance your CV.
Visas and working after your studies
As you near the end of your studies, you may be thinking about whether you can stay on to work in the UK. The UK Border Agency’s rules on whether you can stay in the UK to work after your studies can change, so make sure you check the latest UK Border Agency guidance on visas.
Alternatively you may be thinking about applying for a higher education course in the UK. Some of the options available to you are described below:
Higher education
Depending on the type of academic or vocational further education qualification you have studied for (and your achieved or expected result), you may be able to apply to continue your studies in higher education.
A-levels, BTEC Nationals, CACHE qualifications and the Diploma can all contribute to your UCAS Tariff - the points system used in the UK when applying for undergraduate study.
You can find out more about higher education - including how to apply for courses - on the higher education pages.
Beginning your career
If you choose to head straight into a workplace, you will find that many employers look favourably on further education qualifications.
Many courses will have been designed specifically for your area of interest. For example, CACHE qualifications are career-based courses created for people who want to work with young children, while NVQs are work-based qualifications which help you learn to apply industry skills to employment.
If you’ve studied for BTEC Nationals, you will find that any work placements or technical skills workshops you have participated in have given you excellent preparation for the workplace. For example, if you were studying for a BTEC in Mechanics, you may have worked on a placement with a transport company or in a hotel if you were taking a Hospitality and Tourism course. Providing evidence of these placements will certainly enhance your CV.
Visas and working after your studies
As you near the end of your studies, you may be thinking about whether you can stay on to work in the UK. The UK Border Agency’s rules on whether you can stay in the UK to work after your studies can change, so make sure you check the latest UK Border Agency guidance on visas.
