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The benefit of continuing into Higher Education (HE)
If you are already working, taking a university-level course can increase your earning potential and chance of promotion. On average, those with a higher education qualification earn 25% more than those without. Those with degrees are also more likely to be in work than those without.
Progression from Work-based learning at College to Vocational Higher Education
There are many routes into HE from a vocation or work-based background. Having achieved a level 3 qualification (NVQ3, Advanced apprenticeship, CACHE Diploma etc), you could take the NVQ level 4 and 5, HNC/HND, Foundation degree, Honours degree or a professional qualification such as CIM, ILEX or AAT qualifications.
Part-time vs Full time
When deciding whether to study part-time or-full time, it is important to ask yourself:
How quickly would I like to be qualified?
How much can I afford to spend on my 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 will be between 10 and 15 hours a week, 34 weeks a year
Part-time courses cost £600 to £900 per annum. The lecture contact time will be approximately 6 hours a week, 34 weeks a year but part-time courses typically run up to twice as long as full-time ones.
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
The difference between HNDs and FDs
A Higher National Diploma (HND) is a work-related course provided by higher and further education colleges. HNDs are available in a wide range of subject areas and can be used as a route into employment, a related degree course or as a stepping stone to gaining professional status. Applying for a degree-level qualification remains a popular choice for HND diplomas and many progress on to the second or even third year of a degree course in a related topic. However, employment is also one of the main pathways open to HND holders and statistics over the past few years has shown that significant numbers are combining employment with further study. HND courses have a high vocational content where the emphasis is on applying knowledge effectively in a work context, and thus, all HND courses involve work experience. They are also designed to offer flexibility and can be studied part-time, full-time, as a sandwich course or by distance learning. A HND takes two years to complete if studied full-time.
Foundation degrees were introduced in 2001, the only new higher education qualification to be introduced in England in 25 years. A Foundation degree is an employment-related higher education qualification designed in conjunction with employers to meet demand for higher technical and associate professional skills. Foundation degrees have been designed to be flexible and accessible and so can be studied in a variety of ways: full-time, part-time, through distance learning and via the internet. This means that study can also be fitted around employment. Entry qualifications are also flexible to support widening participation and relevant work experience is taken into account when you apply.
The key difference between the courses is that the HND is developed as a national programme, so will be the same where ever you study. Foundation degrees, however,are specific to each Higher education institute as they incorporate input from local employers.
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
