'Pre-university qualifications give you the best possible chance of being accepted on to your first choice of UK course and institution. If you plan to head out into the workplace, a UK career-based degree will give you an edge over the competition.'
Study a career-based course in the UK and you’ll be encouraged to take on responsibility. You will find yourself working on projects with other students, being assessed through practical demonstrations or spending time in college libraries in preparation for essays and exams. Your UK course will combine practical skills with a sound academic foundation.
UK career-based and pre-university courses for you
The UK education system is very flexible so you can study academic and vocational courses side-by-side (such as a vocational computer qualification alongside an AS- or A-level in mathematics or economics). You could also learn a vocational skill alongside English language classes, or prepare for university whilst also improving your IELTS score.
UK career-based courses can last for up to two years, or three with a sandwich placement in industry. Work placements give you an insight into working practices and experience that will get you off to a running start in your chosen career.
What UK career-based and pre-university courses are available?
- BTEC National Award, Certificate or Diploma (England, Wales & NI only)
- AS- and A-levels
An AS-level qualification is the equivalent of 50 per cent of an A-level. At both AS- and A-level, coursework accounts for between 20 and 30 per cent of the marks, with the remainder assessed by examination.
- International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB Diploma)
You are required to study three subjects at higher level and three at standard, complete the Theory of Knowledge course and an extended essay, as well as participate in Creativity, Action and Service. English, a second language and maths are compulsory at either higher or standard levels.
There are more than 130 IB schools in the UK offering one or more of the three IB programmes.
You can search for International Baccalaureate courses on the International Baccalaureate Schools and Colleges Association website.
For information, visit the University of Cambridge website.
- The Cambridge Pre-U Diploma
For information, visit the University of Cambridge website.
- Standard Grade, Highers and Advanced Highers
You can prepare for your future learning by taking National Qualifications examinations at Scotland’s Colleges as well as Independent Boarding Schools.
Many of Scotland’s Colleges offer foundation programmes, which can be a combination of Highers and English language training. These programmes are specifically designed to prepare international students for entry into higher education, either at college or at university.
- Foundation courses or university access courses for international students
These are one-year courses that bridge the gap between qualifications gained in your home country and those required for entry to university courses in the UK. Extensive language tuition is also usually a feature of such courses.
Foundation courses allow you to focus on particular interests in preparation for university. In addition to core subjects, such as English and mathematics, you can opt for a range of subjects in areas such as art and design, business, engineering, humanities, information technology, law and science. They lead to institutions’ own qualifications that will be recognised by many universities, but not national qualifications.
These courses are offered by a wide range of institutions, including independent and state colleges, and by some universities in partnership with private providers.
Colleges in Scotland
Colleges in Scotland
Scotland has an excellent college system which provides a full range of qualifications. These range from foundation programmes, combining school level qualifications with English language training, to degree-level training in combination with universities.
Scotland’s colleges are best known for Higher National Certificate (HNC) and Higher National Diploma (HND) qualifications. These are recognised qualifications to do a specific job which focus on ‘learning by doing’ and can lead straight to a career.
You can find out more at the Scotland’s Colleges website.
You can search for many career-based, pre-university and vocational courses in the course finder.
You can search for many career-based, pre-university and vocational courses in the course finder.
You can also study:
- A Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Diploma (HND)
- A foundation degree (FdA, FdSc etc)
- A University International Foundation Year course Find out more about these study options in UK undergraduate study.
Find out more about these study options in UK undergraduate study .
