BLOG | Higher Education in Further Education
PROGRESSION MENTOR BLOG | November 2022
By Jack Traylen and Sophie Coward, SUN Progression Mentors
Colleges work together to support students’ next steps
Within the Southern Universities Network region, many colleges offer higher education (HE) qualifications (Level 4+ courses). These courses can be a great option for students who might not feel ready to go to university straight after finishing college or who would prefer to study in a college setting. However, it can be challenging to showcase these opportunities when not all courses may be available through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). In an effort to promote alternative HE options, Fareham College and St Vincent College have been working collaboratively to share their local HE offers with students to ensure they are aware of the range of options in their area. Rob Hind, Curriculum Area Manager for HE at Fareham College, recently visited students at St Vincent College to deliver an interactive session introducing students to the local HE offer.
We have a range of courses at Fareham College that shows HE in FE provides an affordable and local alternative to university for students looking to progress into higher education. Recently we visited St Vincent College to talk with students to raise awareness of progression opportunities at Fareham, which has resulted in several students realising that progression to HE is a realistic option for them.
We enjoyed having Rob come in and talk to our students about Fareham’s music course. Having the option to study a higher-level course locally gives our students a good opportunity to continue with their progression and gives them the option to top the Level 4 qualification up to a full degree if they want to continue to study at university after.
I didn’t want to go to university at […] first as I felt to commit to a three-year university course was a big commitment and worried, I wouldn’t enjoy it. After hearing from Rob, I felt like the course offered everything I was looking for. […] Having the option to top-up [the] qualification to a full degree after I finished [encouraged me] to apply!
Hopefully local colleges will continue to work collaboratively to raise awareness about the breadth of Level 4+ options available for students, thus supporting them to choose the pathway that is best for them!
Fareham College, SUN Progression Mentor
Richard Taunton Sixth Form College, SUN Progression Mentor
