SpLD learners and HE Choices
Types of Courses
There are thousands of courses, at hundreds of colleges and universities in the UK.
Students in Higher Education are largely responsible for their own study so it is very important that the subject they choose interests them enough to keep them motivated and helps them with their future career plans.
As well as different subject areas there are lots of different types and levels of courses in Higher Education Institutions.
Courses can be: Vocational, Academic, Professional or Performance based
Courses can last for: 2-years, 3-years, 4-years, include a Sandwich year in industry or abroad, or in some cases be studied flexibly or part-time.
Courses can lead to a variety of qualifications:
First Degree (e.g. BA, BSc, BEng),Single or Joint Honours, Higher National Diploma, Higher National Certificate, a Foundation Degree, or a Diploma of Higher Education.
Other things to think about when considering a course
What a student’s strengths and weaknesses are and how they prefer to learn. A detailed look at the course structure, content and assessment will show how compatible it is likely to be.
See getting advice and information below
What does the institution and department offer for students with disabilities; is there learning support, helpful technology or welfare support available.
Will the environment feel comfortable; students may prefer to be based at home, far away, on a campus, in a city, in a small town, or somewhere with guaranteed accommodation.
See getting advice and information below
How they will manage financially; it will be dependent on the cost of living, bursaries, scholarships, grants, student loans and opportunities for part-time work.
Ways into Higher Education; most institutions use the UCAS tariff and points can be got from a variety of different qualifications such as A-Levels, vocational qualifications and access courses.
Getting Advice and Information
http://www.skill.org.uk - National bureau for students with disabilities advice on education and training
http://www.aimhigher.ac.uk - Aimhigher main website including information on courses and institutions
http://www.uni4me.com - Guide to qualifications for careers, university life and special needs support
http://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/ - Information on all UK universities
http://www.connexions-direct.com - Information on courses, training, qualifications and career options
http://www.foundationdegree.org.uk - Information on foundation courses
http://www.edexcel.org.uk/quals/ - Information on a variety of access qualifications
