Is Further Education right for you?
Education can be a scary thought with years of primary and secondary education being forced upon us. What’s next then? A job, back to the dreaded education…
Here in Scotland, we have the privilege to access Further Education (FE) and Higher Education (HE) for free. With this opportunity, it would be a shame to waste it, so the next step would be to understand your options.
What is the difference between Further Education & Higher Education?
It might be easier to start off with what Higher Education is as this is talked about a lot more frequently.
What is Higher Education?
This includes University undergraduate and postgraduate courses and College HNC/HND courses which will look more in-depth on a subject and usually are longer to complete and may be supported by a part-time job once you get into the swing of it.
What is Further Education?
This is any study after secondary education that’s not part of Higher Education and is a course below SVQ level 4 or SCQF level 7 such as:
- National Certificate
- Advanced National Certificate
- SQA Advanced Certificates and Diplomas
- Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQ)
- BTEC
- NPA or an Access Course
These courses will help to improve skills and job prospects and, in many cases, more hands-on and practical subjects.
Who is FE & HE for?
Further & Higher Education is for everyone and anyone who wants to expand their knowledge and skills.
More often thought for the next step for a school leaver, however, it is a chance for an individual of any age or background to upskill or reskill in a course. This can either help them step up in their current role or sidestep into an entirely different role and sector.
If you are thinking of continuing in education, a good place to start is to explore current roles out there to give you an idea of what skills and qualifications are needed – search now!