What is Higher Education & what are the benefits?
Higher education means any sort of nationally recognised qualification which is at Level 4 or above. A degree starts at Level 4 and progresses to Level 6 in the third year. See our qualifications ladder.
Higher education courses are offered by universities, colleges and also by some training providers. So, if you have Level 3 qualifications like A Levels, BTECs, a T Level or equivalent then you could explore higher level study at 18/19, or later. If you haven't, but would still be interested in higher level study, there are lots of ways in, through Access Courses and through study alongside work.
What is Higher Education?
Benefits of higher education:
Employment benefits
- Higher employment rates, with a greater proportion in high-skilled employment. And with new jobs being developed all the time, a higher level qualification will put you in a stronger position.
- Many professional jobs require a university degree - architecture, dentistry, physiotherapy and lots more.
- Many professions only employ graduates and many of the opportunities they offer can be open to graduates with any degree subject.
- Even if you have no career in mind you can, through a degree, develop skills employers want such as team working, communication skills, research skills.
- Opportunity to do work experience or a placement as part of their course, either in this country or abroad, where you work which will add to your CV.
Financial benefits
- Graduates will earn on average 20% more over their working life than those who did not go to university. Women’s earnings increase by £100k on average with a degree and £130k for men over the course of their working life – after student loan payments and taxes are factored in. Source: Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS)
Personal benefits
- Meet new people from a range of different backgrounds
- Opportunity to build new experiences and interests through different university societies
- Learn to live and study independently
- Build professional connections
What are the benefits of Higher Education?
Lifepilot website for 19+
If you are over 19 and looking for a higher education course, check out the Lifepilot website which has information for adults about progressing to higher level education.