Higher Education in Further Education

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Higher Education in Further Education
Phil Lester 26 April 06
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Higher Education in Further Education

• What is HE in FE?
• The routes into HE
• Vocational Skills
• Types of qualifications
• Higher Nationals
• Foundation Degrees
• Questions

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What is HE in FE?

• All courses of study above Level 3 (advanced)
• (post A- Levels, National Certificate, NVQ 3
  etc.)
• Studied in local Colleges of Further
  Education and some 6th Form Colleges rather
  than University
• Mostly Vocational courses

Certificate Intermediate
Honours Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
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Going into Higher Education (i)

• Academic Route (traditional)
• School/College (Post Advanced Level)

University
Work /further study
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University not for you?

• You dont get the grades you need
• You would prefer to get a job
• Worried about the cost?
• Feel you will struggle to keep up
• Want to stay local?
• You are not ready
• Its just not for you

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• There is another way!
• The Vocational Route

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Going into Higher Education (ii)

• Vocational Routes
• Part Time - Work AMAs NVQs
• Professional Quals.

Higher Nationals, or
Foundation Degree
Hons. Degree

• Full Time -

FE College
Higher Nationals, or
Foundation Degree
Hons. Degree
Work
AND/OR
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A few facts

• 2005/6
• Nationally
• 379,000 started first degree programmes
• 294,600 started other HE programmes
• Regionally
• 20,000 students study HE in FECs in Yorks.
• 41 FE Colleges in Yorkshire
• 9 local FE Colleges/6FCs offer HE Courses
• Source HESA/AoC

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Higher level skills gaps South Yorkshire
Where the jobs will be needed (i)

• New and emerging technologies
• Bio-Science technology
• Media/Creative and Digital industries
• Environmental/Green technology/science
• Health Care/Fitness/Medical Technology
• Manufacturing sectors
• Advanced Engineering - Manufacturing Metals
• Construction
• Yorkshire Forward RDS - 2015

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Higher level skills gaps S.Yorkshire Where the
jobs will be needed (ii)

• Major economic drivers
• Tourism and Leisure Services
• Catering Hospitality
• Freight transport and logistics
• Financial services Business and Professional
  Management
• Health Services Social Care
• Voluntary/Community development
• Yorkshire Forward RDS - 2015

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Wanted! - Higher level skills

• Government prediction
• By 2020, 80 of jobs will require skills at
  level 4 or above and qualifications will need to
  be much more work-related
• Achieved through much more
• Work-Based Learning and Vocational Pathways

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Higher Vocational Qualifications

• BTEC Qualifications
• Higher National Certificate
• 2 years Part Time
• Usually studied on the job
• Stand alone qualification
• Good reputation with employers
• Some progression to HND or Degree possible

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Higher Vocational Qualifications

• BTEC Qualifications
• Higher National Diploma (Int. Level 5)
• 2 years Full Time - (3 yrs Part Time)
• Equivalent to 1st 2 years of a degree
• StandAlone Prepares you for work
• Many include work experience modules
• Many Universities offer Top Up courses to
  degree
• Large Subject Range
• Find out more at www.edexcel.org.uk

34,500 students currently studying Higher
Nationals
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Foundation Degrees (Int. Level 5)

• The new style Vocational Degree
• University Validated
• Foundation degrees integrate academic and
  work-based learning
• Employers must have a say in their design, so
• they equip learners with the knowledge,
  understanding and skills relevant to their
  employment.
• Improve employment prospects
• Success will guarantee progression to Hons.
  Degree
• Mostly run in FE Colleges.

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Foundation Degrees Offer wide access
From School/College A Levels, BTEC
Nationals/Certificates NVQ 3,4,5 Advanced
Apprenticeship Access to HE
Foundation Degree
Degree
From Work Appropriate experience
(APEL) Professional qualifications Community
or Career
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Foundation Degrees

• Duration Usually 2 Years Full time
• 3 years Part time
• Cost Many FE Colleges only charge the
  standard HE Fee, rather than the University
  Top Up fees.
• Some colleges will charge the full university
  fee, but bursaries and grants may be available
• Other Financial arrangements same for all HE
  Courses Check with your guidance tutor
• (Check with your chosen college)
• Application (full time) Via UCAS
• (Part time) apply to the college direct

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Foundation Degrees

• Nationally
• 1774 Fd Courses Running wide subject range
• 850 more planned for 06/07
• 47,000 students (source fdf April 06)
• Large Employers now using Fd as key work based
  training for their staff eg
• Tesco
• BMW
• British Gas
• Youngs Foods
• NHS
• The Armed Forces

280 -70
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Foundation Degrees

• For lots more info on courses
• www.fdf.ac.uk
• www.foundationdegree.org.uk