Print this pageMature students and those returning to education
Mature students
You are never too old to enjoy the benefits of Higher Education (HE). Many adults working full-time miss out on the opportunities HE provides because they are worried about their age, lack of formal qualifications or job security. However, our adult students often comment that once they have started studying and meeting people, their worries fade fast and they realise that it is the best decision they have ever made. HE changes their life and opens up lots of doors. Although they may not have formal qualifications, adult applicants are often considered based upon their work experience alone.
Benefits of Higher Education
If you are already working or taking a university-level course, HE can increase your chance of promotion and earning potential. On average those with a HE qualification earn 50% more than those without. Those with degrees are also more likely to be in work.
Studying a HE qualification can boost your confidence through doing group work and presentations in a supportive environment, preparing you for a practical work setting.
University opens many doors beyond that of work and qualifications. Students build life long social links and have the opportunity to broaden their outlook on life.
Entering Higher Education
There are many routes into HE and it is being made more accessible all the time.
Students can progress to HE through a traditional route of gaining a level 3 qualification and the required UCAS points to join a course, or they can enter by studying an access or foundation course. This allows them to build up skill levels required for HE, but some students may gain entry to HE based on past experience in industry.
If you have not been in education for a long time, this will not neccasarily be a barrier to you entering Higher Education. Access courses are available to all students with life experience and some students main gain entry directly through an interview process as a result of their past experience.
So, whatever your background, HE could be an option for you!
Access Courses
Want to do a degree?
Didn’t like school?
Like to start again?
Could have done better?
If these sound familiar to you, an Access to Higher Education course could be the answer. It aims to prepare adults who do not meet the traditional entry requirements for university. This course is for you if you have always wanted to study but don’t know where to start and have no previous qualifications. You may be looking for a change in direction, or a new start in life, or just want the satisfaction of doing something for yourself.
Part-time vs. Full time
It is important when considering whether to study part-time or full-time to think about:
How quickly would I like to be qualified?
How much can I afford to spend on your education annually?
Do I want to work part-time or full-time whilst studying?
What other commitments do I have?
Costs and course duration vary between different courses and different institutes so when considering all your options look at the different HE choices available to you.
Typically, full time courses at the UCY cost £3,225 (2008-2009) per annum. The lecture contact time is between 10 and 15 hours a week, 30 weeks a year.
Part-time courses cost between £600 and £880 per annum. The lecture contact time is approximately 6 hours a week, 30 weeks a year, but part-time course typically run up to twice as long as full-time courses.
Types of Higher Education available
Higher National Diplomas & Higher National Certificates
Higher National Diploma (HND) & Higher National Certificate (HNC) have been a part of Higher Education for many years. They offer a good mix of academic, vocational and practical elements, providing a well rounded, established qualification.
Both the HND and HNC cover the same core units, which are compulsory to the qualification. The HND is the higher qualification of the two and consists of more units in total. Both qualifications are nationally recognized and can lead to career progression or continuing higher education. Classes are usually timetabled around work commitments. This enables you to gain suitable work experience during your study.
HNC
To achieve a HNC, you must successfully complete a total of ten units (150 credits). The courses are usually part-time and studied over two years. The HNC provides a specialist work related programme of study that covers the key knowledge, understanding and practical skills required in the sector.
HND
To achieve a HND, you must successfully complete a total of 16 units (240 credits). These courses can be studied full-time or part-time. If taken as a full-time course, the HND is studied over two years full-time, or over three years if studied part-time. The HND course provides a greater depth and specialisation than the HNC and allows you to develop skills relevant to industry. The HND is equivalent to the first two years of an Honours Degree. On completion you can progress to a Top-up Degree to achieve full degree status.
HNC/HND available at UCY
CAD (part-time)
Foundation degrees
Foundation degrees are designed and delivered in partnership with employers and Higher Education providers (Universities and Colleges) to equip you with the knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to your employment and to further your career.
Integrating academic and work-based learning, Foundation degrees allow employed to undertake a programme of study whilst continuing to work. Some students may also undertake a Foundation degree when returning to work or changing their career.
There are hundreds of courses available, covering a diverse range of subject areas.
Courses have flexible teaching arrangements, including work based, on-line and distance learning modes on a full or part-time basis.
A full-time Foundation degree course will usually take two years to complete; a part-time Foundation degree course may take longer. After completing their Foundation degree, some students go on to study for an Honours Degree (this usually takes one further year).
Foundation degrees available at UCY
Computing and Internet Technology
Education support (Teaching Assistant)
Sports Development and Coaching
Honours degrees
Most Honours degree courses are full-time and last three years. Some last four years, due to a year spent in industry. If studied on a part-time basis or by distance learning, degree courses can take up to six years.
Degrees subjects can be studied in a number of different ways including:
• Single honours — study of one subject
• Joint honours — study of two subjects
• Combined honours — study of two or three subjects
• Modular programmes - built up of studying individual units
• Sandwich — usually four years involving periods of practical experience and training in business or industry
Degrees can be:
• Vocational — prepares you for a specific occupation, such as nursing, civil engineering, pharmacy or architecture.
• Semi-vocational - based on broad occupational areas, such as Business Studies or Media Studies, but does not train you for a specific job.
• Purely academic/Non-vocational - does not prepare you for a specific occupation or a broad area of work, but the subject is more important than any particular career direction for the student. These courses can include Ancient History, Maths or Philosophy.
Honours degrees available at UCY:
English and History
Adult Nursing
BA/BSc (Hons) Top-up Degree
Top-up degrees are ideal if you have successfully completed your HND or Fd and want to progress to a full degree. They are completed through one year’s intensive study or over two years, part-time.
Honours degrees and Top-ups at UCY:
Sustainable Graphics and Packaging (top up)
Business and Management (top up)
Business with Project Management (top up)
Professional Qualifications
Employers and universities appreciate the value of professional qualifications such as the AAT, CIM, ILEX or ILM, which are recognised and shaped by industry and often an alternative route into a specific profession.
Professional courses on offer at UCY:
ILEX: Professional Higher Diploma in Law
Management Studies: Level 5 Professional Certificate in Management Studies
Funding
Full-time students:
If you are studying full-time you will be entitled to the same funding as any University student. Funding details can be found at www.direct.gov.uk and specific information for the UCY can be found at (link).
Par-time students:
The main sources of help for part-time students are:
A Fee Grant (to help with tuition fees) - paid directly to your college or university
A Course Grant (to help with study costs, such as books, materials and travel) - paid directly to you
What’s available will depend on your personal circumstances and the course you’re doing.
You won’t have to repay any help you get through the Fee Grant or Course Grant.
Fee Grant and Course Grant: if you get benefits
If you’re getting certain benefits, you’ll automatically qualify for the maximum Fee Grant and the maximum Course Grant available for your course’s intensity.
Fee Grant and Course Grant: if you have a partner or children
The maximum household income you can have and still qualify for a particular level of financial help is set higher if you have a live-in partner or dependent children - though your partner’s income may be counted towards your household income.
The maximum Fee Grant you can get is based on how ‘intensive’ your course is - how long it will take to complete compared to an equivalent full-time course.
For the most intensive courses, a maximum of £1,400 is available for 2007/2008 through the Fee Grant and Course Grant combined. For 2008/2009, the figure is £1,435.
If you’re receiving certain benefits, you’ll get the maximum Fee Grant and the maximum Course Grant available for your course’s intensity.
For further information visit: www.direct.gov.uk
