Higher and further education

Higher and further education (HE and FE) courses follow on from school education. There are loads of options on offer, with academic and vocational courses available at different institutions - from universities to art, agricultural and further education colleges. Courses can last from two to four years – or longer – and lead to a formal qualification such as a degree or diploma.

It’s a good idea to consider higher or further education as a serious option. It can broaden your experience – and mind – as you encounter all types of ideas, people and activities. Some people continue in education for the pleasure of studying a subject they love, or to increase the range of jobs they can go for in the future. And if your only reason for not continuing to study is the cost, help with student finance is available if you need it.

Higher education in London

As an exciting, world-class city, London is a fantastic place to study. More than 400,000 students are studying at higher education level in London. The capital offers a great range of colleges and universities. Some of the world’s best teaching and training is to be found here – from medical and dental schools to colleges of music, drama, art and design.

Institutions

Full details on all London's higher education institutions and courses.
Find out about London's further education colleges.
Hotcourses is a guide to all part-time and full-time courses in every London borough.

Courses

Hotcourses is a guide to all part-time and full-time courses in every London borough. It has something for everyone:

Higher diplomas and degrees - all the way from accountancy to veterinary science at universities and colleges of higher education.
Access to higher and further education courses - open to you even if it's years since you sat an examination or you left school with no qualifications.
Postgraduate courses - including all the taught MA, MSc and MBA courses that London has to offer.

How do I apply?

The University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is the central organisation that processes applications for full-time undergraduate courses at UK universities and colleges. You can search for and apply online to over 300 institutions of higher education in the UK.

Helpful HE and FE sites

Directgov includes an overview of steps you’ll need to take to enter higher education, as well as information on careers and guidance, courses, universities and colleges, how to apply, student finance, student life and more.
London Higher is a membership organisation that promotes and acts as an advocate for London's higher education and acts as an 'umbrella' body representing over 40 publicly funded universities and colleges.
BBC Ouch! Is the BBC site and includes diaries detailing the experiences of several disabled students studying at different universities around the country.
Bright Links provides information on different degrees and career paths.
Uniaid provides interactive tools to help you understand and manage student finances.
A guide to London libraries – public, academic, specialist and more.
Most student unions are affiliated with the National Union of Students (NUS), one of the biggest student organisations in the world. Their website features information on career planning, crime awareness, dealing with disabilities, discrimination, drugs, health, relationships, housing, funding and money management and more.
Members of any college that is part of the University of London can also benefit from the services of the University of London Union (ULU). As well as providing services similar to each college’s student union, ULU offers an impressive number of sporting and special interest clubs and organises activities between and across the colleges, such as sports championships and joint purchasing programmes.

Education

Higher and further education

Freedom of information

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