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 financial help 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 300,000 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
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 apply online
to over 300 institutions of higher education in the UK using a secure online form, or simply search for courses starting in the
upcoming academic year.
Find out more about applying, including when to apply and how to
apply on paper.
Helpful HE and FE sites
Basics
- Aimhigher 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.
- Get help with choosing a course, funding, study skills and much more with Higher Education & Research Opportunities in the United
Kingdom (HERO).
- Find out if a higher education programme at a particular institution is reputable (or otherwise), by consulting the Quality Assurance
Agency for Higher Education’s (QAA) review reports. You can search
either by academic subject or institution.
- The Department for Education and Skills has a wealth of material on learning and education as well as practical advice on things like
tax credits for studying.
- London Higher is a membership organisation that promotes and acts as an advocate for London's higher education. It is an 'umbrella' body representing over 40 publicly funded universities and colleges.
- London Colleges has comprehensive information on London's further education colleges.
Disabled students
- BBC Ouch! Is the BBC site that includes diaries detailing the experiences of several disabled students studying at different
universities around the country.
Finances
- As of 2003-04, UK residents contribute a maximum of £1,125 per year in tuition fees for higher education, with many from lower income
families paying considerably less or nothing at all. Students are expected to pay for their own living expenses, which many students
finance by taking part-time employment or taking out a government loan. Students in London who are
living away from home are generally eligible for a larger loan because of the increased cost of living in the capital. After
graduation, students begin repaying when their annual income exceeds a certain salary.
- For more information on financial assistance for students, visit the DfES’s web page on student support.
Health
- StudentHealth.co.uk is an award-winning guide for students on health issues
ranging from sexual health to sports injuries - written by doctors.
Housing
Learning resources
Student life
- Student unions provide a wide array of services for students in higher education, ranging from sports and special interests
clubs to recreational and shopping facilities and student pubs. 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.
- Student Londoner is a free six-monthly newsletter outlining what the
Mayor is doing to support students who live, work and study in the capital.
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