Higher Education are courses you study after 18 at level 4 and above. These can be studied at colleges or universities and as full / part time, or apprenticeship options.
HTQs Higher Technical Qualifications.
These are new courses being introduced from 2023.
University
After school, many people decide to continue their learning at a university. A bit like at school, universities allow you to gain a qualification in a subject you’ve chosen to study. At university though, these qualifications – called degrees – are at a higher level, in fact pretty much the highest you can get. With one of them under your belt, you’ll be able to aim for all sorts of jobs that you wouldn’t be able to otherwise.
Why go?
There are lots of reasons why people choose to go to university:
You can gain a qualification needed for a job you want. Many jobs require you to have completed a university degree before you can start. For a lot of people, going to university helps them get a better, higher paid job.
You can study a subject you enjoy in depth. It might be your favourite subject from school or it might be something completely new. There’re all kinds of subjects you can study at university. Whatever you choose, you’ll spend between 3 and 5 years learning in classes, discussing topics with other students, and producing work of your own.
You can experience life as a student. It’s not all about the work. You’re a young adult, free of school, able to meet new people and try new things… There’s a lot of fun to be had.
What kind of subjects can you study?
There’s a big variety of subjects you can study at university. Some, like Dentistry or Engineering prepare you for a specific career – you’ll need a degree in those subjects if you want a job in that area. Many people study more general subjects though, like History or Spanish or Maths. Degrees like these are useful for all sorts of jobs and will give you skills that will help you in whatever career you choose.
If you want to be a doctor, you’ll need a degree in Medicine. You’ll study for 5 years, learning all about the human body and how to treat illnesses. Outside the classroom, you’ll gain experience in hospitals, putting what you’ve learned into practice with real patients.
Today, a lot of jobs require you to have a university degree. In many cases, it won’t matter what subject your degree is in. Just having one shows that you’re able to work to a high standard. However, there are some jobs that require you to have a degree in a specific subject such as architect, social worker, vet, lawyer, teacher, nurse, physiotherapist.
The Uni Guide is a easy site to use to research courses and entry requirements.
UCAS has listings for all HE courses and institutes plus subject guides and a wealth of carer information. It is the site you apply though for courses.
Student Finance Explained
What is a student loan?
Funding is available in the form of student loans to help you pay tuition fees, as well as to help you with the cost of living while you study.
In order to qualify for a student loan, you must be studying at a recognised or listed college or university on a full-time course. These are institutions that can legally award degrees or are affiliated to those that can. You must also be a UK national or have settled status. And you need to have been living in the UK for at least three years prior to starting your studies.
The loan is broadly split into two parts: a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of your studies and a maintenance loan to help you with the cost of living while studying. Tuition fee loans are generally paid directly to your university or college so generally you won’t see the money.
Maintenance loans are paid on a sliding scale according to your needs. These are means tested by your household income, which for most young people effectively means that of their parents. Depending on how much they earn, the means testing system may expect them to contribute to your cost of living while studying.
Remember that all student loans need to be repaid once you have graduated and started earning. And interest will be charged on your loans from the moment you take them out – even while studying.
Don’t let this put you off. More than two thirds of students take out both types of loans to help them pay for their studies. Relatively speaking, student loans are not expensive, and you only start paying back once you’re earning above a specified threshold.
How to apply for a loan?
in England you will need to apply to Student Finance England
For means tested maintenance loans you will need to provide information about you or your family’s household income. You will also need to apply for your loan at the start of each academic year, as circumstances and entitlements can change.
You can apply for all of the above loans online.
How do loan repayment work?
You will repay your loan over a 30-year period. But it’s only repayable once you start earning over a certain threshold. .
Currently, the threshold for repayments is £26,575. Once your salary is above this amount you will pay back 9% of everything you earn before tax. Interest is charged on a sliding scale with a maximum amount limited to 3% above the Retail Price Index (RPI).
It’s important to remember that if you don’t earn over the threshold, you are not required to make any loan repayments although you will still be accruing interest.
Most people never actually pay off the full loan amount. In this sense a student loan is more like a graduate tax, with higher earners paying back more over time. Any outstanding loan amounts are written off after 30 years.
What's the Russell Group?
The Russell Group are a group are a group of 24 world class universities in the UK.
Watch the video clip below to find out more.
Informed Choices is a Russell Group guide to the best subjects to choose for your chosen degree
UCAS
To apply for university course, you go through UCAS (University & College Application Service) Their website https://www.ucas.com/ is a brilliant resource to research courses, universities and find out more about Higher Education options.
How to choose a university course.
The Uni Guide is useful site to research all things linked to Higher Education.
Future U Parent & Carer Guide to Higher Education
Essential University Research & Guidance Websites
This list provides links to a range of useful websites for students thinking about higher education and university.
Choosing a University & Course
These sites offer comparison tools, league tables, and course search functions to help you decide where and what to study.
Summary: Helps students choose a university with various comparisons and a range of free downloadable guides.
Summary: Compare the best university and degree courses for free, offering course rankings, university reviews, and profiles to help guide your decision.
Summary: Provides league tables of the best universities, allowing you to compare institutions, courses, prospects, and career options.
Summary: Use the search feature to find your ideal college or university, course, or degree.
Summary: A free online product designed to support the choice of HE study. Completion of a study interests questionnaire helps refine subject choices based on course type, location, and tariff.
Official Data, Entry, & Preparation
These resources focus on official statistics, application information, and academic guidance for university entry.
Summary: Includes official data for undergraduate courses on student satisfaction scores (National Student Survey), employment rates, salaries after study, and other key information for prospective students.
Summary: Provides all ratings for the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
Summary: The Russell Group’s guide, Informed Choices, provides students with information, advice, and guidance about their post-16 subject choices, particularly for competitive universities.
Summary: An independent platform that allows students to access all the information required to continue their studies at a degree level.
Student Experience & Reviews
Find out what current and former students really think about courses and student life.
Summary: An online review community for everything at university. Students share their experiences of university, halls, courses, clubs, societies, and more.
Summary: Features easy-to-read, detailed, and "tell-it-like-it-is" profiles of every university in the UK, covering information about student life not found elsewhere.
Outreach, Workshops & General Guidance
Resources dedicated to broader career planning, student life, and taster days.
Summary: The complete destinations platform—a one-stop-shop for students across Key Stage 4 and 5, regardless of their interests or academic ability.
Summary: An award-winning source of university events, helping students find and book taster days and outreach programmes.
Summary: The essential guide to careers, education, and student life. Helps you work out what you want to achieve and how you can get there.
Summary: A charitable, unique, free-to-use, independent website providing accurate, impartial information to encourage students from all backgrounds to choose courses that best meet their career ambitions.
Summary: A free games-based website provided by King’s College London that allows 10-14 year olds and their parents to explore university life, finance, skills, and future career options.