Higher Education
If you're considering higher education (HE), like going to university, here's some information and advice to help you out.
- Get a quick introduction to HE and see how it can benefit you.
- Discover the different courses you can take at HE level and how to find the right one for you.
- Learn how to research your ideas and make solid plans for your future.
- Explore the pros and cons of studying locally and staying at home versus moving away or even studying abroad, as well as HE opportunities available right here in Norfolk.
Higher education (HE) is the next step after you finish a Level 3 course like A Levels, T Levels, a BTEC National, or another equivalent qualification. It includes lots of different options — degrees, Foundation Degrees, Higher National Diplomas (HNDs), and Diplomas of Higher Education.
You don’t have to go to a university to study at this level. Many local colleges offer higher‑level courses, and distance‑learning options like the Open University let you study from home. Some students even choose to study abroad for part or all of their course.
If you’d prefer to earn a wage while you learn, Higher and Degree Apprenticeships let you work towards a degree at the same time as building real experience in a job.
What are the potential benefits of HE?
More career options – Many jobs require a higher‑level qualification, and having one opens doors to a wider range of careers.
Higher earning potential – On average, people with higher‑level qualifications earn more over their lifetime.
Developing specialist skills – You get to study a subject you’re genuinely interested in and build real expertise.
Greater independence – Whether you study locally or move away, HE helps you grow confidence, independence, and life skills.
Access to work experience – Many courses include placements, internships, or industry projects that boost your CV.
Meeting new people – You’ll connect with others who share your interests, build friendships, and expand your network.
Personal growth – HE encourages critical thinking, problem‑solving, and creativity — skills that are valuable in any career.
Flexibility in how you study – Full‑time, part‑time, apprenticeships, distance learning… there are lots of ways to fit study around your life.
Opportunities to travel – Some courses offer study‑abroad options or international projects.
A stepping stone to further study – If you ever want to do a Master’s or other advanced qualification, HE sets you up for that path.
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There are thousands of higher education (HE) courses offered by universities, colleges and institutes of higher education in the UK and overseas - and plenty in Norfolk if you want to stay at home while you study. You will need to think carefully about the subject, course and places you want to apply for.
Higher education doesn't just mean getting an honours degree - you could study a Foundation Degree, a Higher National Certificate or Diploma (HNC or HND) or a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE). To find out more see UCAS' information on types of courses available at higher education level.
Visit UCAS to browse the range of courses offered across the UK. Also look at the GOV.UK Higher Education pages.
Choosing a course
With over 50,000 higher education courses at more than 370 universities and colleges in the UK, you need to do your research carefully to find the right course and place to study. You will need to take lots of things into consideration.
You could decide to:
- carry on with subject(s) you are already studying
- start a new subject or combination of subjects
- take a vocational course linked to an occupational area such as travel and tourism or art and design
- study a course to train for a particular career such as medicine, pharmacy, architecture or physiotherapy
About the courses
Bachelor's or first degrees | Usually known as bachelors, undergraduate or first degrees. These typically take three or four years of full-time study to complete, although some (eg medicine) take longer. Part-time study over a number of years is also possible. Degrees may be offered as single honours (study of a single subject), joint honours (study of two subjects, 50/50) or a major/minor (75/25) or combined honours (two or more subjects studied). Sandwich courses combine study with paid work placements usually offered in subjects such as engineering, construction and business. |
Foundation degrees | These are two-year courses that combine academic study with workplace learning. They can often be topped up to a full bachelor's degree with an additional year of study. |
Higher National Certificates & Diplomas (HNCs/HNDs) | These are vocational qualifications offered by universities and colleges. They are available in a range of subjects and an HND may offer you progression to the final year of a related degree. |
Diplomas of Higher Education (Dip HE) | These are two year, full-time courses equivalent to the first two years of a degree. They are linked to a vocational area such as health and social care, accounting, technology etc and, with extra study can be topped up to a full degree. |
Research your ideas and make your plans
- Make sure you start early - ideally in the first year of your course.
- Give yourself plenty of time - you may need to look at lots of different courses and institutions before making your final choices.
- Check information on entry requirements for the courses and places you're interested in - are they realistic for you?
- Attend open days - this helps you to get a feel for the place and gives you a chance to talk to current students.
- Enrol on a taster course - many universities and colleges offer short taster courses to give you an experience of academic life.
- Get some work experience - some courses require you to have some relevant work experience (eg medicine, veterinary science).
Remember - a course at one university can be completely different at another, even though it may have the same course name.
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To help with choosing a course, try...
- The Uni Guide's A level explorer - type in your A level subjects to discover possible degree subjects.
- UCAS information on choosing courses.
- UCAS videos have lots of useful videos on choosing courses and applying.
- Discover Uni - compare subjects, universities and colleges, look at student satisfaction ratings and explore figures about getting a graduate job after completing a course.
- The Guardian University Guide 2024 - league tables of all subject areas taught at UK universities, and profiles of those subjects.
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Studying for a degree used to mean leaving home at the same time, and for lots of people that will still be their top choice. However, many students now choose to live at home while they study.
It's important to think carefully about whether staying at home or going away to study is the right choice for you. Here are some pros and cons for you to think about:-
Home
Pros
- Save money: living at home you probably won't have to pay for rent, utilities, or food which can save you a lot of cash.
- Comfort zone: you're in a familiar place, which can make you feel more relaxed and less stressed.
- Family support: having your family around can be really helpful, especially when you're feeling overwhelmed.
- Work: if you've already got a part-time job you could carry it on by studying locally.
Cons
- Distractions: home can be full of interruptions, like family members or chores, which can make it hard to focus.
- Less independence: staying at home might mean you don't get to learn how to live on your own and look after yourself as much.
- Missing out: you might miss out on some of the social side of uni life, like making new friends and joining clubs.
- Commuting: you may find travelling to and from uni tiring and time-consuming.
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Away
Pros
- Independence: living away from home helps you become more independent and learn important life skills like cooking and budgeting.
- Social life: being on campus means more chances to meet new people, join societies and go to events.
- Close to resources: you'll be near the library, labs and study groups, which can make studying easier.
- Full experience: living on or near campus can make you feel more connected to the uni and its community.
Cons
- Cost: living away from home can be expensive, especially studying in bigger cities
- Homesickness: being away from family and friends can make you feel lonely, especially at first.
- Distractions: uni life can be busy and noisy, which might make it harder to concentrate on your studies.
- Responsibility: you'll have to manage everything yourself, from cooking to budgeting, which can be tough if you're not used to it.
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Whether living at home or away you don't start paying any of your student loan back until the April after you graduate and are earning over £25,000 (if you started your course on or after 1st August 2023) See our page on student finance for more information.
Study Abroad
There may be opportunities for you to study or work abroad as part of your degree course - and this isn't just for those studying or good at languages - some degree courses in European universities are now taught in English. You may want to consider studying for your entire degree course overseas. There are lots of issues to consider such as funding and you might need a visa or to sit entry tests.
If you are serious about studying an entire degree abroad you need to start your research at least a year in advance (preferably 18 months ahead) to give yourself enough time to apply, complete any tests required, organise visas and find funding.
There are several websites that provide information about studying abroad. For starters take a look at A Star Future and the Studying outside of the UK information on the UCAS website.
So will you stay or go?
It really comes down to your own personal choice and priorities. Whichever you decide, though, it's very important to choose a course that's right for you and that you'll enjoy, so that you stay motivated.
Do weigh up all your options carefully. Don't settle for something just because it's close to home.
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There are plenty of opportunities to take a higher education course here in Norfolk or in neighbouring universities and colleges in Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.
Check out the providers listed below
who offer a range of HNCs, HNDs, DipHEs, Foundation & Honours degrees:
Access Creative College Norwich
University Centre West Anglia (UcWA) at the College of West Anglia
Norwich University of the Arts (NUA)
University of East Anglia (UEA)
University of Suffolk (UoS) at East Coast College
Take a look at the following to find out how to apply for HE courses through UCAS, what financial help is available and information about degree apprenticeships.
