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FURTHER EDUCATION (OFTEN ABBREVIATED
TO FE) IS THE TERM USED TO DESCRIBE EDUCATION AND TRAINING
THAT TAKES PLACE AFTER THE NORMAL SCHOOL LEAVIGN AGE
OF 16, BUT BELOW DEGREE LEVEL. IT IS THEREFORE THE PART
OF THE BRITISH EDUCATION SYSTEM THAT MANY INTERNATIONAL
STUDENTS JOIN WHEN THEY FIRST COME TO THE UK.
However, many countries do not have this type of education,
and British colleges can seem very confusing. So what
the FE, and what does it offer to an international student?
FE COLLEGES
Most of the students who go to college
are local school leavers. About 40% of school leavers
will go on to college to study a practical and skills-based
subject, leading to a qualification that will get them
a good job, or simply to study academic subjects often
in preparation for attending university to get a degree.
However, colleges also run courses for people who are
already in work and want to improve their qualifications,
and for adults who are looking for a change in career
or who want to return to study after a break.
People talk about the need for ‘Life
long learning’ in the modern global economy, and
FE colleges play their part in offering a very wide
range of courses at many different levels in their local
community. Increasingly, some colleges are also offering
courses specially designed foe overseas students, such
as English with a foreign language, and programmes usually
called Bridging, Foundation or Access, which prepare
international students for university entrance
FUNDING & COURSES
The Majority of FE colleges are funded
by the state, and are regularly inspected for the quality
of their courses and facilities. There are also a number
of independent schools offering ‘A’ Levels,
and access courses. Check prospectuses carefully to
find out the full range of courses offered, what experience
the college has with overseas students, and the quality
of its resources and facilities.
Colleges differ enormously in six, from very large city
colleges with over 20.000 full-time students to small
specialist organisations with perhaps only 100 students.
You need to be sure that the college you choose offers
the right course for you, is somewhere where you will
feel comfortable, and has the experience and resource
to make your studies successful!
CHOOSING A COURSE
If choosing a college seems
a bit confusing, choosing a course can seem just as
difficult, particularly as some qualifications seem
to be a long list of letters that may mean nothing to
you. Your choice will depend on two things: your existing
qualifications and what you want to do with your qualification
when you get it.
To choose the correct level of course
foe you, ask the advice of the British Council or the
college, and check the course description in the prospectus.
A good college will know what your existing qualifications
mean and which level of course is right for you.
VOCATIONAL WORK
Chose a vocational course if you want
a high practical content, which will prepare you for
a particular job area (for example, Fashion Design or
Catering). Examples of such courses are GNVQ (General
National Vocational Qualification), GSVQ in Scotland
and National Diplomas. From 2001, the Advanced level
of GNVQ has been renamed the Advanced Vocational Certificate
of Education, which will often be taken in combination
with academic subjects.
ACADEMIC AND POSTGRADUATE DEGREES
Choose an academic course if you want
to move on to a university degree, particularly if you
want to study such as Law or Medicine. The main academic
qualifications are’A’ levels as AS (Advanced
Supplementary). ‘’A’ level programmes
take two years of study, and generally combine coursework
and exams.
It is important to be aware that due to
recent governmental changes, the first year of this
programme now leads to AS qualifications. Typically,
that now means that a student will take four AS level
subjects in their first year and then choose three subjects
to continue to the full ‘A’ level in the
second year. These will lead to your university course.
MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS
Choose an Access, Bridging or foundation course if
your existing qualifications do not meet the entry requirements
for British universities, but a two-year ‘A’
Open College network Level course is not appropriate
for you. These are one-year courses validated by a university
of respected bodies such as the Open College Network,
but usually delivered by a college of Further Education.
Many combine preparation for a particular degree subject
with English language tuition and study units on important
areas, such as academic writing and seminar skills.
ADVANTAGES FOR OVERSEAS STUDENTS
FE colleges offer a very wide range of
courses at many different levels. A college such as
York College will offer over thirty different subjects
at ‘A’ and AS level, and perhaps sixty vocational
courses, as well as a foundation Program, and English
as a foreign Language.
Because colleges provide for many different
customers, you will find the other students an exciting
mixture of ages, backgrounds and cultures. Standards
are high, and are constantly ensured by regular inspections.
ACCREDITATION
Qualifications are validated
by respected examination bodies, such as UCLES or Edexcel,
and are therefore widely recognised internationally
for jobs and further study.
Finally, because of colleges ‘ close
links with industry and business, many courses are able
to include a period for work placement, so that you
can practise the skills you acquire in the classroom,
and get a taste of the working world.
Overall, Further Education offers
a great package for an overseas student, which can be
flexible to your needs.
Author; John Kear, International
Manager, York College
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