Further & Higher Education - Steps to Success

If you are looking to go onto Further or Higher education, a broad range and mix of subjects are possible. Which qualification(s) you take will depend on the type of work you wish to do in the future and what employers, universities and colleges want.

This needs to be checked out before you make your decision.

This chart compares the range of routes available and shows where different qualifications can be roughly equivalent. Click on the boxes in the chart for more information.

Click chart below to view larger image.

Click for larger image and further details.

Note: GNVQs will not be available after 2007.

No two qualifications are exactly equivalent.

Use the Higher Education Course Comparison to help you keep a record of the course(s) you may be interested in.

The web sites listed below would also be useful.


Aim Higher

Includes information on courses, student finance (including a cost of living calculator), and student life.

Higher Education & Research Opportunities

(HERO) provides information on all aspects of Higher Education including information on courses, funding and graduate opportunities. The site includes a link to all Britain's universities, higher education colleges and academic research organisations.

Universities and Colleges Admissions Service

Includes information about how to apply for Higher Education and links to the web sites of universities and colleges.

You may also like to look at Courses and Training.