Further Education (FE) and Higher Education (HE) Colleges in the UK

Further education (FE) and higher education (HE) colleges in the UK are roughly the equivalent of the so-called "community colleges" in the USA. There are hundreds of FE colleges in the UK which offer a wide range of courses including English, GCSEs, A levels, vocational qualifications and in some cases university access courses and undergraduate degrees. Higher education refers to institutions offering bachelors level degrees and above. There are over 150 colleges of higher education in the UK in addition to the 98 universities.

Vocational Qualifications

The UK has been a leader in the development of vocational qualifications and FE colleges provide vocational training for every area if business and industry. From beauty therapy and hairdressing to mechanics and child care, vocational qualifications can be taken at FE & HE colleges in the UK.

General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQs) are taught at varying levels from the age of 16 and can lead to university entrance. Vocational education can continue at undergraduate level with the BTEC/EDEXCEL Higher National Diploma (HND). This is the equivalent level to the first two years of an undergraduate programme. Students graduating with an can apply for entrance into the third year of a degree so completing their undergraduate studies in the sane time as they would on the more traditional academic route.

The main difference between the traditional academic qualifications (GCSE, A level, bachelors degree) is that the vocational courses are a blend of "hands on" training, backed up by the necessary academic study to bring the skills into context. The courses are graded on a mixture of course work and examinations rather than just on examinations at the end of the academic year like the traditional academic qualifications. In some cases courses can be passed before examinations are taken which can relieve a lot of the pressure from the students. In general, overseas students have a lower level of English language proficiency and therefore find examinations more difficult than native speaking peers. Bearing this in mind, all overseas students should seriously consider the option of taking the vocational route though to bachelors level.

Traditional Academic Qualifications and their Vocational Equivalents

• GCSE - GNVQ foundation level

• A level - GNVQ Intermediate and Advanced levels (or BTEC/EDEXCEL
  First and National Diplomas)

• Years 1&2 of undergraduate degree - BTEC/EDEXCEL Higher National Diploma