Higher Education

What is Higher Education?

Higher Education qualifications can be confusing if you’re not familiar with the terminology. The first thing to be aware of is the academic level of the course. Level 2 and 3 are equivalent to GCSE and A-Levels respectively.

Higher Education is Level 4 and above. Level 4 is equivalent to the first year of a traditional three-year Bachelor’s degree,  Level 5 to year two and Level 6 to year 3.

Qualifications

These are some examples of higher education qualifications:

HNC – Higher National Certificate

Level 4. Extremely popular vocational courses accredited by Pearson, usually one year of study.

HND – Higher National Diploma

Level 5. Commonly taken completion of the HNC, usually a further year.

AAT Certificates  and Diplomas

These are professional accountancy qualifications which are industry-recognised at Level 4 and 5 respectively.  AAT is the Association of Accounting Technicians, which students join in addition to gaining their qualification.

Post-course options

Our courses are widely recognised self-contained qualifications. However, they come with the option to progress to a full degree at a university. For example, after completing a Level 5 HND, you could top up that qualification at a university to a Level 6, joining for just the final year. This usually works out as a cheaper route to gaining a degree. This also gives you the flexibility of keeping your options open in a changing job market.

Eligibility

Higher education courses generally require you to have Level 3 (A Level-equivalent) qualifications, although your occupational experience may be taken into account if you’ve been out of education for a while.

You also have the option of completing an Access to Higher Education Diploma. This is a Level 3 course but will prepare you for Level 4 and above, including a full degree.

Advantages

  1. Flexible qualifications which are recognised by employers in their own right, but can also be topped up to gain a university degree
  2. Good teacher-to-student ratios, ensuring you’re not left behind and that support and advice are on hand throughout your course
  3. Competitive pricing along with finance options designed to enable people to take part, irrespective of their financial circumstances
  4. The opportunity to study from a venue close to where you live so you don’t have to leave your friends and family
  5. Teaching by vocationally experienced staff who will pass on their industry knowledge.

Student Finance

Students studying our Level 4 and 5 courses may be eligible to apply for a student loan to cover the cost of their tuition fees and sometimes you can also borrow money to help with living costs.  Loans are repaid once you are working and earning a certain amount. Eligibility criteria applies and please click this link to find out more about student finance.

To find out more about the funding available for HE  pdf view the Funding Higher Education 2024/2025 Guide for Parents/Guardians and Students (1.57 MB) .

Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)

You can apply for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) to cover some of the extra costs you have because of mental health problems, long-term illness or any other disability. You can get the allowances on top of your other student finances. You will not need to repay DSAs.
Please take some time to read through the links below to help you understand what is on offer and what the application process involves. The application process can be lengthy, so applying early is important.

  pdf DSA Flowchart (87 KB)  |    pdf DSA FAQs (43 KB)  | DSA Presentation | DSA Presentation - BSL Version.

For further information please see our section on Additional Learning Support.

Access and Participation Statement

Student Protection Plan

Student protection plans set out what students can expect to happen should a course, campus, or institution close. The purpose of a plan is to ensure that students can continue and complete their studies, or can be compensated if this is not possible.
All higher education providers registered with the Office for Students (OfS) must have a student protection plan in place.
Please click here to read our HRUC Student Protection Plan 2023/24. 

Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom

Terms and Conditions for HE Students

Higher Education Courses