Choosing the right course

The qualification mainly involves studying the theory of a subject, combined with some investigative work. English and Maths are requirements for many jobs and college/university courses.

The Return to Learn/Pre Access programme has been designed for anyone who wants to start to prepare for a college or university course, train for a new career, or to simply develop confidence. Successful completion will enable you to progress on to one of our Access courses.

Access courses are designed for adults with no formal qualifications. They provide an excellent route to gain admission onto an extensive range of programmes including degrees, HNDs or HNCs. It is also an established and well-recognised qualification in its own right.

NVQ is a work-based course aimed at those who are employed. NVQs are often considered the perfect stepping stone to turn industrial experience into a recognised professional qualification.

If you want to develop your future career prospects and study at the same time then an apprenticeship is for you. They are high-quality work-based training programmes that enable you to work, learn the skills of your chosen profession and gain a recognised qualification whilst earning a decent wage.

BTECs are vocational courses related to a broad occupational area, combining practical, hands-on activities with detailed technical study. You may also be able to take part in related work experience.

HNCs and HNDs focus on ‘learning by doing’ and can lead into a new career, or help you progress in your current line of work. They can also be used as a stepping stone to gain a managerial role or professional status within your employment. Some HNC/Ds can take you directly to the second or third level of a degree and can be studied full or part-time.

Foundation degrees equip learners with a combination of technical skills and university level knowledge. They have been developed by universities in conjunction with businesses to provide qualifications aimed specifically to fill skills gaps. The foundation degree is equivalent to the first two years of an undergraduate degree and can be topped up to gain a full bachelor’s qualification.

A top-up degree allows you to do exactly what its name suggests: to top-up your HND or foundation degree to an honours degree. Studied full-time or part-time this course will take from 12 – 18 months to complete. Each top-up course is designed to give you the knowledge and skills that employers are looking for, opening the door to an exciting, challenging and rewarding career.

Bachelor’s degrees develop your analytical, intellectual and essay writing that are increasingly being demanded by employers. They are studied through lecture and seminar-based learning with practical components where the subject requires and are assessed through projects, written assignments, and examinations and, in most cases, a dissertation.

A master’s degree is a postgraduate qualification that involves a more in-depth understanding of a subject.

Our professional courses offer you the opportunity to enhance and develop the skills and knowledge that will help you score career success whether you want to take your first step into management or the opportunity to have your industrial experience recognised.

We offer many recognised professional qualifications in accounting, marketing, human resource management and leadership & management accredited by the industry chartered bodies, such as AAT, CAM, CIM, CIPD and ILM.

Our extensive range of community courses means that there is something for everyone for people of all ages and backgrounds. With courses offered in places that are convenient for you we currently run courses at a number of centres across the borough including family history, floristry and cookery.