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further education

Definition of further education

Examples of further education in a sentence.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'further education.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

1937, in the meaning defined above

Dictionary Entries Near further education

furtherance

Cite this Entry

“Further education.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/further%20education. Accessed 2 Apr. 2024.

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Definition of further education noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

• further education
• a college of further education
• distance learning
• higher education
• qualification

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Meaning of further education – Learner’s Dictionary

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(Definition of further education from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Translations of further education

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What are the differences between a further education college and a sixth form?

Basic guide written by Jade Archer, Outreach Assistant, Make Happen 

There are roughly 90 school sixth forms, more than 200 colleges, and around 50 sixth form colleges to currently choose to study at throughout the UK.

• What do these terms actually mean?

In the UK there are three types of institutions that provide further education (FE):

• school sixth forms
• sixth form colleges
• further education colleges

Sixth forms offer a variety of A-level and BTEC qualifications and are attached to a secondary school, which is why they are often referred to as school sixth forms.

Sixth form colleges offer the same provision as a school sixth form however, they are separate from secondary schools. Unlike the latter, Further Education (FE) colleges offer a much wider variety of courses including access courses, higher education-level diplomas and often, bachelor’s degrees.

Colleges may also offer apprenticeships and other community provision. So, one way to think about it is that FE colleges are on one end of the spectrum and school sixth forms are on the other, with sixth form colleges being the middle ground.

• What the sixth form or college environment is like

School sixth forms tend to be more formal places, as the site is often shared with younger students in years 7 to 13. The learning environment in a school sixth form can therefore already be very familiar to you, particularly if you’ve stayed on at the same place where you did your GCSEs. Teachers within a school sixth form may request that the same level of formality is retained in school, and students may still address their teachers as ‘Sir’ or ‘Miss’.

FE colleges provide a different learning environment to what you were used to at school. In FE colleges there are no students below the age of 16, and because they’re open to the community, there tend to be many students who are older than 16-19 studying there. Some FE colleges even have classes later in the evening to try and suit all learners.

The environment within an FE college is generally more adult-like, where students take responsibility for themselves and their learning. FE colleges tend to be slightly more relaxed when comparing them with school sixth forms, and students usually address their teachers on a first name basis.

On the other hand, sixth form colleges can be somewhat in between a typical FE college and a school sixth form. Sixth form colleges are typically more informal than school sixth forms and they often provide a wider range of courses when compared to them too. However, they are similar to school sixth forms in the way that only students aged 16 to 19 can study there.

When looking at the size of each type of institution, FE colleges and sixth form colleges tend to be larger than school sixth forms.

• Your peer group

As previously mentioned, school sixth forms and sixth form colleges provide academic education to students who are between the ages of 16 and 19. On the contrary, FE colleges provide academic and vocational education to anyone above the age of 16 who wishes to study there. Therefore, the students around you will vary depending on the type of FE institution that you choose to study at.

Colleges may tend to be more informal, or more relaxed, but student work is more independent, and students must be self-sufficient in order to progress. At a college, you tend to meet students who are on a range of different courses which could mean that your timetables could be completely opposite, and you may only see each other two days a week.

• Available courses

One of the first things you may notice when searching FE options is that most FE colleges offer a wider range of courses when compared to school sixth forms and sixth form colleges.

Most colleges offer A-levels, similar to school sixth forms, but they also offer other qualifications at a variety of levels including vocational courses; here is a brief rundown of the levels of qualifications that are typically available at most colleges:

• Level 1: These qualifications are equivalent to GCSEs grades 3, 2 and 1 (D, E, F & G). They are basic qualifications that build confidence and provide students with essential and functional skills. Level 1 qualifications can also provide students with an introduction to a subject or area of work.
• Level 2: These qualifications can provide students with a deeper understanding of a subject or area of work and are roughly equivalent to GCSEs grades 9 to 4 (A*-C).
• Level 3: These qualifications include AS and A-levels, NVQ Level 3s, BTEC Nationals and so on. This level of qualification is required for entry into a university and employers can look for this level qualification in applicants when hiring for a technical or supervisory role.
• Level 4 to 8: These levels can also be available in a college however they are classed as Higher Education (HE) qualifications rather than FE qualifications. Qualifications at this level can include Foundation degrees, Honours degrees and Postgraduate degrees or other professional qualifications.

School sixth forms tend to offer an extensive list of A-level qualifications for students to choose from; ranging from Modern Languages to Chemistry. Students are usually required to pick 3 A-levels and one AS-level with the choice of carrying on their AS to A-levels. AS-levels are only studied for the duration of one year, whereas A-levels are studied over the course of two years. Sixth form colleges typically offer a wider range of study options than a sixth form, but these options can vary by institution.

• Timetable and term time differences

Whilst studying at school in the UK, students aren’t usually assigned free time or study time in their timetables. So, one of the first things that you may notice when looking at FE options is that timetables can vary. When studying at FE level, students are given more free periods, but the restrictions on these free periods depend on the institution itself.

FE colleges typically offer students several different study options including part-time, distance learning and full-time as well as a variety of qualification types, including academic and vocational courses; timetables for each option would look very different. Term times can also vary depending on the course and which study route you choose. For more vocational courses, such as catering and hairdressing, there is often the option of doing work placements which usually occur one day a week.

Students may find that, even on a full-time timetable at an FE college, they have several free periods in between classes, they may even have a whole day free, or be required to attend college from 8.30am to 5pm, three days a week. Your term times and weekly timetable will vary a lot depending on the qualification type that you want to study, the study route you choose, and the type of assessment that your course includes; for qualifications that require exams, your exam timetable may determine when you finish your course.

For example, if you were studying at FE level and your last exam was on 3rd May, then this could be your last day for that academic year. Sensible students would use that free time to complete coursework, assignments or revise.

School sixth forms and sixth form colleges usually offer more academic courses such as A-level Sociology and BTEC Health and Social Care. Your timetables will vary depending on what subjects you decided to study, and how many you decided to study. It is possible to start Year 12 studying four different subjects at AS-level, then you decide whether to continue with all four subjects into Year 13 as A levels or whether you drop one. The decision to drop a subject when reaching Year 13 may impact your timetable in a way that may allow you to have more free periods. School sixth form and sixth form college students usually have free periods, or even entire days free, throughout their two years of studying.

The restrictions on these free periods vary greatly, depending on the individual institutions’ rules and regulations. Sixth form colleges can tend to be more lenient with these free periods as there aren’t younger, more impressionable, students around to observe. The term ‘lenient’ in this case refers to students spending their free time whichever way they like, with no restrictions on how or where they can do this. School sixth forms can sometimes have stricter rules to follow line with the school that they’re a part of.

For example, a school sixth form may say that all free periods are spent on site, with the only exception being lunch time where sixth form students can leave the site and walk to the close amenities. Other school sixth forms may urge their students to stay in designated areas, or attend extra-curriculum activities, but it is solely down to the institution itself.

• The location

In general, FE colleges and sixth form colleges tend to be located in the middle of town or city centres. Their location, and the variety of courses they offer, make them more accessible to the wider community. Several students opt to travel further in order to study at an FE college because of the wide range of opportunities and courses that they offer.

This central location means that they are often next to bus and railway stations, as well as all the town centre amenities. On the other hand, where school sixth forms are attached to secondary schools, they are often more localised and can be found throughout villages, towns and cities. Students who attend school sixth forms are usually students who previously studied at the secondary school attached, or one that is close by. Students who attend secondary school at the institution that they also want to study their FE qualifications still need to formally apply for their place, like any other student.

• One thing to remember…

There is no wrong or right answer when it comes to deciding where to go next; every decision you make is going to be individual to you.

There are so many options to choose from, and it can be very daunting at first for anyone in your position. Most FE colleges and sixth form colleges have a dedicated careers team that is there to support, advise and guide you throughout your studies there – so make sure you check out the help available to you. School sixth forms don’t tend to have an entire team dedicated to careers, but your teachers and support staff can always offer you guidance.

Just remember to decide your next step by looking at what is right for you. It may help you to ask for support or advice from the people you are closest to such as your family and friends but remember the teachers and careers team from your school or college can also guide and support you.

If you’re thinking about completing a Higher and Degree apprenticeship, why not check out this video?

"Just remember to decide your next step by looking at what is right for you."

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Overview of the UK's further education sector

The UK boasts a diverse and wide-ranging further education sector that provides opportunities for school leavers, young adults and mature students

FE sector facts

• Further education includes study after secondary school.
• College is for people of all ages, with courses free for students aged 16 to 18.
• 1.6 million students go to college in England each year to develop their career, progress to university, engage in further education or increase their employability.

What is further education?

On GOV.UK it states that further education (FE) includes any study after secondary education that doesn't form part of an undergraduate or graduate degree.

These post-secondary school qualifications are delivered by FE, sixth form and specialist colleges that aim to provide top quality academic, technical and professional education and training for both young people and adults.

The Education and Training Foundation (ETF), the professional body for FE training and standards in England, has produced a Guide to the FE System in England .

How is the FE system structured?

According to the AoC, there are 270 colleges in the UK (June 2023):

• 225 colleges in England
• 26 in Scotland
• 13 in Wales
• 6 in Northern Ireland.

UK colleges are represented by the following organisations specific to each home nation:

• Association of Colleges (AoC) - The membership organisation representing FE, sixth form, tertiary and specialist colleges in England.
• Colleges Scotland - The collective voice of the college sector in Scotland.
• Colleges Wales - An education charity that promotes the public benefit of further education in Wales.
• Northern Ireland (NI) Direct - Oversees the two university colleges, six FE colleges and an agri-food and land-based college in NI.

Most colleges are referred to as general FE colleges, but there are a number of different types of institution.

For instance, of the 225 colleges in England:

• 158 are general FE colleges
• 44 sixth form colleges
• 11 land-based colleges
• 10 institutes of adult learning (formerly specialist designated colleges)
• two art, design and performing arts colleges.

Who are college courses aimed at?

Anyone aged 16 and over can go to college, although the AoC reported that the majority of college income for 2020/21 (£3.63billion), accounting for 55% of total spending, was focused on 16-18 education.

It's unsurprising that sixth form and general FE colleges providing qualifications at A-level standard benefit most from the funding, especially as education is still free for students in this age group.

Colleges are inclusive places to learn, with over a fifth (21%) of students studying in England in 2022/23 having indicated some form of learning difficulty and/or disability.

What FE courses can you study?

Widely available FE courses include:

• BTECs (Business and Technology Education Council)
• Higher National Certificates (HNCs)

See college courses for an overview of the main FE qualifications studied at college.

However, while these FE courses are offered by colleges rather than universities, some colleges also run undergraduate programmes.

Read our guide to undergraduate qualifications .

It was also revealed that colleges train around 1,000 apprentices, so you may wish to explore apprenticeships in more detail. You can learn more about vocational college courses at AoC - About colleges .

Can I still go on to university?

Some FE qualifications can be topped up to a full degree, so if you're thinking of going to university but still aren't sure, the course may offer credit should you choose to carry on with study after the college course.

What are the modes of study at college?

Similar to university, you can choose between full and part-time study for the majority of courses. While some will require you to spend a significant amount of time in the classroom, colleges often use a blended learning approach, with online distance learning complementing the traditional face-to-face teaching.

Online college courses, for qualifications such as A-levels and BTECs, are also very popular. This is because you'll get the opportunity to study and achieve a qualification without the need to visit the college in person. The course will typically involve interacting with tutors and other learners online through lectures, training sessions, webinars and chat forums.

Popular FE providers include the Open Study College and Online Learning College , while The Open University offers qualification options at undergraduate level and above. You can also explore free courses as signposted by the National Careers Service (NCS) .

This flexible approach to learning allows students to study at a time and place that fits in with their lifestyle, perfect if there isn't a local college accessible from your area. Read more about the benefits of online learning .

Am I eligible for student finance?

As mentioned, FE college courses are free for 16 to 18-year-olds, but for adult learners (anyone 19 and over), tuition fees are likely to be involved. Even younger students can still claim education-related costs through the government's 16 to 19 Bursary Fund .

If you're studying in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you may be able to claim for Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) .

When it comes to online learning with private course providers, you'll certainly need to pay course fees. For instance, if you're taking A-levels, you'll need to consider exam and invigilation fees as well as tuition costs, while for some courses, there's additional fees for the practical aspects of the programme.

There are a range of grants and loans offered at a local level for adult education. For example, see the booklet on Fees, finance and funding for adult learners from The Manchester College .

For undergraduate courses at college, you can consider applying for government support in the form of tuition fee and maintenance loans. Read more about student loans and finance at undergraduate level.

Can international students go to college in the UK?

International students can apply to go to college in the UK, but you'll need to have sorted out your visa first before entering the country.

As Britain has now left the European Union (EU), students from European countries will require 'settled' status under the EU Settlement Scheme to live and study here. However, in many cases, college fees are still generally quite reasonable.

The AoC has revealed that the average tuition fees for international students studying a further education qualification is £8,200 per year, with Level 3 courses proving the most popular.

As colleges are renowned for providing a pipeline for those progressing to university, a high proportion of international students choose to move on to HE courses.

They also found that as far as the international marketplace is concerned, the main drawing power in coming to the UK for FE-level study is to achieve A-levels, take English language courses and undertake teacher training .

Read more about studying in the UK at degree level.

You can also take a look at the scholarships and funding available from the British Council - and get information on how to apply to study in the UK .

Find out more

• Discover how to apply for college in the UK .
• Consider should I go to university or do an apprenticeship?
• Explore adult education .

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What is Further Education?

In A-Level , General by Think Student Editor January 31, 2022 Leave a Comment

For some people, knowing what to do after they finish their GCSEs (or equivalent qualifications) can be a difficult decision. However you feel about the future of your education, further education is something that you have to do by law. It shouldn’t be something that is scary and the more you know about your options, the less scary it will become.

In short, further education is simply education after you’ve completed secondary school, usually at age 16. There are different types of further education. These include level 3 courses such as A-Levels and BTECs. Alternatively, you can leave school and do other types of further education such as an apprenticeship or traineeship. 

If you interested in learning more about your options after you finish your GCSEs (or an equivalent) then you should definitely continue reading. This article will be especially useful to you if you want to know more on specific types of further education, such as A-Levels.

Table of Contents

Further education is education after Year 11 whereby you have completed your GCSEs, at this stage most students are 16 years old. When in further education it is generally a lot more specialised than secondary school education as you study fewer things and may even only be studying and working in one very specific role (such as with an apprenticeship).

Further education tends to be a lot more advanced than secondary school education because the qualifications that you acquire as a part of further education tend to be Level 3 qualifications . Level 3 qualifications include A-Levels, BTECs and some apprenticeships. however, there are also Level 2 qualifications that can be taken as part of further education.

Further education is often confused with higher education. To ensure you don’t make this mistake I will give you a brief explanation of the latter. Higher education is education after the age of 18 and is usually undertaken at a university. If you want to learn more about what further education is follow this link  by the goodschoolsguide.

Is it compulsory to be in full time education until age 18?

In England, it is compulsory for people under the age of 18 to be in some form of education . Essentially, this means that students have no choice but to be doing further education.

Although further education is compulsory, this stage isn’t like earlier stages of education and differs from school in many ways. An example of how further education may differ is your timetable won’t be the same as the school timetable, you will have free periods and much more independence. Also, if you are at a sixth form college you are unlikely to have to wear a uniform and may call your teachers by their first name.

When it comes to further education you have a few options. You could continue to study in a traditional way, where you are at sixth form or sixth form college . These options would involve you having to go to lessons and do specific work. Alternatively, you could do an apprenticeship, or you could even have a full-time job as long as you are doing one of the other two options alongside it. 

Further education in England only became compulsory recently as these laws were only put in place in 2014, see this link for more information.  The idea of introducing these laws was to improve the career prospects and opportunities that young people have for the future . This law means young people were able to develop more skills and qualifications that they could use later on in life.

What are A-Levels?

In the UK, taking A-Levels (Which is short for Advanced Levels) is a form of further education (please note that they are not taken in Scotland). As a type of further education, they are typically done after GCSEs and are considerably the most traditional route of further education . You can learn more about A-Levels in this Think Student article.

A-Levels are the most common form of further education, this is due to how A-Levels are taught. A-Levels are studied in a similar way to how you were taught during secondary school. If you go to a sixth form at your school you will actually be taught A-Levels in the same building, by many of the same teachers as you studied your GCSEs.

The experience you have while doing your A-Levels will be significantly different to if you were still a Year 11 in secondary school. For example, you are given free periods and you may even be given other freedoms in sixth form college that you wouldn’t even dream of while in secondary school. A-Levels although similar are different from your GCSEs. A-Levels are generally harder and go into more depth in each subject area. If you want to find out more about the step up from GCSEs to A-Levels check out this Think Student article.

Benefits of Taking A-Levels

Taking A-Levels can have many benefits, especially as they are the most recognised Level 3 qualification in the UK. While they don’t directly prepare you for the working world, they act as a great way for you to work towards your goals.  A-Levels enable students to learn about their favourite subjects in greater detail so that they are able to decide whether those subjects might be of interest when considering future career paths.

You can only study up to 3 or 4 subjects (except for rare occasions) and so you have to think about which subjects are best for you. This may be based on which ones you enjoy, or it could even be based on which ones you need for whatever you are working towards. If you are planning on going onto higher education you may require certain grades in specific A-Level subjects, therefore it’s important to pick the right A-Levels for you.

If you need some help making this decision then look here for 11 Tips to Help You Decide Which A-Levels to Take .

As you pick your subjects (or at least by the end of your courses), you will probably have begun to think about what you want to do next. You may want to go on to higher education (such as university),  taking A-Levels is considered the best route to get to university as it is a rather natural progression and is generally a common requirement for university . Having said this most universities also have entry requirements for other types of qualification, such as for BTECs.

What are BTECs?

BTECs are another form of further education that you can do at sixth form college. BTEC stands for Business and Technology Education Council, which is the council that created them. This council later merged with London Examinations (ULEAC) in 1996 to form the exam board, Edexcel (now known as Pearson Edexcel), click here to learn more.

Although BTECs and A-Levels can be studied alongside each other, they are very different. This is especially true because BTECs are a type of vocational qualification, so unlike A-Levels, they tend to be more practical and work-based.

BTECs also tend not to have the long exams at the end of the two years and instead are assessed more gradually with smaller tests or coursework throughout the course.  At the end of the course, you won’t receive a grade from the A*-G lettering system but instead a pass, merit, or distinction (or distinction star).  For more information about how BTECs are assessed looked at  this Think Student article .

What are the different types of BTECs?

There are different types of BTEC, you would most likely take one (or more) of the Level 3 qualifications, which are BTEC Nationals. Although you could also take the Level 2 option, which are BTEC Firsts (this will depend on what you want to do and also possibly on how well you did on your GCSEs). For more information about the different type of BTECs you can look at this UCAS article.

There are 3 main types of BTEC National, that you can take at sixth form college, these are: the BTEC National Extended Certificate, the BTEC National Diploma and the BTEC National Extended Diploma (although these may also be called alternative names).

The best way to distinguish between them is to think about how many A-Levels they are equivalent to. Generally, the Extended Certificate is only worth one A-Level, the Diploma is worth two A-Levels and the Extended Diploma is worth three A-Levels. To understand more about BTECs check out this article by Pearson.

Studying a BTEC National for further education, can give you plenty of opportunities for the future .  As BTECs are highly job-specific, you can go straight into full-time employment once you turn 18 and finish your course . This option can be exceptionally great for you if you know exactly what you want to do or even if studying and school in general just isn’t for you.

What are Apprenticeships?

Apprenticeships are another, less traditional form of further education that you can do but unlike A-Levels or BTECs, you are not at sixth form college full-time.

Apprenticeships are all at least 12 months long and during this time you will be working alongside experienced staff, allowing you to train for the job. During an apprenticeship, you will also be working towards a nationally recognised formal qualification, so you will also have to go to college or some kind of training centre (but this is generally only about once a week).

The qualification that you get will depend on what apprenticeship you do as well as the level of apprenticeship but the most common are functional skills, a Nation Vocational Qualification (NVQ) and technical certificates (such as BTECs). Look at  this UCAS article  for more information about apprenticeships.

What are the different types of Apprenticeships?

Just like with BTECs, there are different levels of apprenticeship that you can take in the UK. There are intermediate apprenticeships, advanced apprenticeships, higher apprenticeships, and degree apprenticeships.  Click here to learn more.

For further education, you would generally take either an intermediate apprenticeship which is a level 2 qualification (equivalent to GCSEs), or you would take an advanced apprenticeship, which is a level 3 qualification which is equivalent to A-Levels.

For higher education, you could take a higher apprenticeship, which would either be a level 4 or a level 5 qualification. Degree apprenticeships are as the name suggests, as they are equivalent to bachelor’s or master’s degrees depending on the level.

Benefits of doing an Apprenticeship

Taking an apprenticeship for further education can really open up new doors for you in the future.  As apprenticeships directly train you for a specific job, you could immediately begin working once you have finished it. 

You would most likely have already built up the skills you need to begin working in that career. This is why 85% of people who finish their apprenticeships are still in employment. You may even be able to work for the company that you did your apprenticeship at as 64% of people who completed their apprenticeships did so. For more statistics about apprentices and apprenticeships look  here .

Alternatively, if you don’t want to go straight into official full-time work then you could begin another apprenticeship at a higher level . If you initially took an advanced apprenticeship, you could go on to take a higher apprenticeship and so on. This could also be a great opportunity for you to gain more experience but still keep the support than you have when doing an apprenticeship. This could also allow you to further your career without fully committing the position.

What are T-Levels?

T-Levels  are another form of further education that are worth 3 A-levels and last 2 years. When studying, your time is split between being taught in a classroom and having work experience at an actual business. T-Levels therefore can be described as something in between BTECs and apprenticeships.

During the course, you will have at least 315 hours at an industry placement, allowing you to build up your skills and put what you have learnt into practice. T-Levels are a much newer form of further education than the other examples as they were only launched in September 2020, so you may not have even heard about them.

This also means that the number of subjects currently available and the  places that you can study them  are both very limited, although this will increase . Click here to see where you can study T-Levels. You can also look at this Think Student article for more information about the subjects that you can take for T-Levels.

T-Levels are graded in a similar way to BTECs. Therefore, you will get either a pass, merit, or distinction grade. These grades can be converted into UCAS points which could help you go onto university if you so choose. Check out this Think Student article to learn how T-Levels are graded.

Taking a T-Level for further education can lead to many different opportunities.  They were created with businesses in mind, you could go straight into work and apply the skills that you have learnt. This is especially great for you if you don’t want to study anymore and if you feel confident to test out your abilities in the real world.

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What is a Further Education College and what courses do they offer?

On this page:.

There are 100s of Further Education Colleges each providing courses in a local area that link to the jobs that will be growing in the future. They offer a range of academic, vocational, technical and professional courses. FE colleges use Labour Market Information and relationships with local and regional employers, to ensure they offer qualifications reflective of the job market. Further Education Colleges are attended by people of all ages, from 16 to 90+ although most students are between 16 and 18 years old.

Some colleges are very large, with several sites or campuses and some are specialist, such as those offering agricultural or marine courses.

Further Education Colleges offer courses at every level from entry level courses that do not require GCSE grades at entry, through to higher level qualifications such as HNC/HND and degree courses.

The main difference from school is that an FE college is a much more adult environment and students will typically call teachers by their first name and be expected to be independent. That said, they are still supportive and structured environments and it is not uncommon for parents to be invited in to meet tutors at parents evenings or to receive attendance reports.

A full time course at college is 16 plus hours, which can mean a student can have a part-time job at the same time (but they will be expected to complete course work and projects too!). Students who are required to re-sit or take English and maths as part of their study programme may be in college for more hours each week.

List of the qualifications FE Colleges offer:

• GCSE retakes in English and Maths and some offer  A levels .
• Vocational subjects - these are related to a broad subject area such as business, health and social care, etc. - so they can lead to a large variety of employment areas or university courses.
• Practical Vocational Courses that lead to specific jobs such as hairdressing, plumbing, or engineering.
• T Levels - new 2 year job-related qualifications equivalent to three A Levels.
• Apprenticeships where a student is mostly based with a paying employer and is assessed either in that workplace by a visiting assessor or by attending a college for a day or week at a time
• Courses that prepare people for Higher Education, such as Access Courses or the Art Foundation/Post- A level Art Course
• Vocational Higher Education Level courses , such as Foundation Degrees, Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) and Certificates (HNCs)
• Foundation Courses to develop maths, English, study skills, confidence and employability. These courses can give students the chance to try out several different vocational areas
• Learning for leisure these courses are usually part-time and often in the evenings. They may involve learning more about a hobby or interest e.g. ceramics, art.
• Courses aimed at overseas students such as English Language Courses or preparation courses for University.

All young people must now stay in education or training until their 18th birthday and many young people choose go to Further Education College so they can develop their skills and qualifications before they progress into a job or higher education course, either at a college or a university.

Why young people choose college at 18

At 18 young people might attend a college to do:

• Vocational courses.
• Specialist courses such as post-A level Art programmes.
• Higher education courses, such as, Foundation Degrees or HNCs.

More information

For more specific information about Further Education College go to Careerpilot where you can find information about:

What are the course options

Some of the reasons your child might choose to go

How your child can get on to a Further Education College course

Find out here about colleges in the South of England

A site for adults wanting to get back into learning

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• Education and learning
• Apprenticeships, 14 to 19 education and training for work

Further education courses and funding

Further education ( FE ) includes any study after secondary education that’s not part of higher education (that is, not taken as part of an undergraduate or graduate degree).

Courses range from basic English and maths to Higher National Diplomas ( HNDs ).

FE also includes 3 types of technical and applied qualifications for 16 to 19-year-olds:

• level 3 tech levels to specialise in a specific technical job
• level 2 technical certificates help get employment or progress to another tech level
• applied general qualifications to continue general education at advanced level through applied learning

Many courses in reading, writing and basic maths are free, and you may not have to pay for tuition if you’re under 24 and studying for your first qualification equivalent to GCSE or A level.

Find out about financial support , for example for your course or day-to-day living costs.

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10 Reasons Why Further Education Makes Sense At Any Age

There’s no denying that the digital age has created a raft of employment opportunities in the job market. However, it has also meant that many people have found their existing roles have evolved, with some requiring expertise in new technologies and technology systems.

As you can imagine, it makes sense to have formal training and qualifications for many job roles these days.

One of the best pathways into a well-paid role is by having further education, either in the form of online master programs with degree qualifications, or certification in specialist and niche areas.

Did you know that there are many other reasons why it’s a good idea to have a further education, and why it makes sense to do so whether you’ve just left high school or have done so a long time ago?

Take a look at the following ten examples to see why you’re making the right decision by boosting your education:

1. You’ll Be Less Likely To Become Unemployed

One of the most significant worries that anyone will likely have is becoming unemployed. As you can imagine, having no job means you’ll find it challenging to lead a normal lifestyle, and you’d have to assume that the government can provide you with financial assistance.

Therefore, it makes better sense to be in stable employment, and one way you can almost guarantee that outcome is by investing in yourself with some further education such as a degree qualification or industry-specific certification.

2. You’ll Earn A Higher Salary

Who doesn’t want to earn lots of money? As you can appreciate, the more money you earn, the less you have to worry about things like paying your monthly household expenses and covering any emergency costs or repairs.

The trouble with leaving high school without considering any further education is you significantly diminish your chances of earning lots of money in your career.

Almost all well-paid roles advertised on the jobs market require candidates to have some formal industry training or a college education with qualifications in specific fields.

3. You’ll Feel More Confident In Yourself

One interesting point to keep in mind about further education is that you’ll feel more confident in yourself.

If you’ve got a college education or even industry certification from a vocational institution, you’ll have proved to yourself that you’re capable of achieving anything in your life.

That’s why many people who gain their first qualification or industry certification go on to pursue other further education opportunities. It’s something you could also do.

4. Competition With Other Job Applicants Is Lower

It doesn’t matter whether a commonly-available unskilled job gets advertised or a role requiring specialist skills and qualifications. There will always be people applying for all roles advertised on the job market.

The trouble is, competition can sometimes be fierce for some jobs, and employers will understandably only shortlist candidates with resumes that stand out from the crowd.

You can make yourself stand out from other applicants by pursuing a further education and having one or more qualifications and certifications.

5. You’ll Find Yourself Getting Headhunted

Imagine if you seldom had to apply for jobs because you kept getting offered them by companies looking for top talent like you? It might appear to be a dream, but it’s a reality for many people that have pursued further education – either after high school or later in life.

You’ll find that hiring managers and even CEOs from top businesses approach you because they want talent like you as part of their teams!

6. You’ll Increase Your Transferable Skills

As you know, it’s always a good idea to have a skill set that you can use in various roles and industries. Unfortunately, that won’t always be possible – at least not in-depth – if you don’t have any further education.

College degrees, industry certifications, and more will help you increase the skills that you can transfer to roles in other niches and industries – a must in today’s highly competitive job market .

7. You’ll Better Compete In Global Job Markets

It’s no secret that many people have aspirations to travel the world, take in new cultures and sights, and generally learn more about other nations. For many people, traveling the world involves saving money to go on a vacation each year.

But, what if you could travel the world as part of your work? Having a further education means you can be a viable choice for employers looking for skilled and reliable talent to grow their brands in overseas markets.

8. You’ll Learn More About Your Preferred Industry

Another reason to gain a college degree or industry certification is that you will have greater exposure to various roles within your niche, but that’s not all!

You’ll also learn more about your preferred industry, such as discovering how other industry processes interact with your role.

For example, if you have a job as an automotive engineer, you could learn about mechanical engine technology, body panel molding, robotic vehicle paint spraying , and more.

9. You’ll Feel Motivated To Expand Your Skills Set

If you have a thirst for knowledge, completing your first college degree or industry certification course will satisfy that thirst for a while. But, the fact you’ve decided to further your education and skill set means you’ll want to keep doing so.

Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that you will want to pursue other educational opportunities and highlight those qualifications and certifications on your resume. Every day is an opportunity to learn something new!

10. You Feel A Massive Sense Of Achievement

Last but not least, it makes no difference whether you’re fresh out of high school or have several decades of commercial experience. You will always feel a massive sense of achievement when you pursue further education opportunities.

In some ways you may even feel like your life has a new meaning or purpose because you’ve equipped yourself with the tools to follow your career ambitions – even if they seemed impossible to achieve before you completed your first degree or certification course!