Returning to Learning

If you have been out of the workplace for a number of years or if you are thinking about moving to a new job role within your current organisation or of changing employers or even career you may find it useful to gain a further qualification. 

You may already have achieved an Advanced Apprenticeship or similar Level 3 qualification a few years ago or you may have moved directly from ‘A’ levels into work and are now wondering how you can further your career by gaining a higher level qualification.

It is now easier than ever to combine work and study as the use of the internet and e-mail for communication has made distance and flexible learning so much easier and many Colleges and other providers now offer part-time study options which enable you to continue earning as you learn.

Return to Learning

What are the Benefits of Studying at a Higher Level?

There a many benefits to be gained by studying at higher education level both personally and also financially.  Here are a few:

• To gain the qualifications you need for better paid jobs in the future – research in 2003 found that there was an average difference of £3 per hour between that earned by those with a Level 3 qualification – an Advanced Apprenticeship of NVQ Level 3 for example compared to that earned by a graduate.  This could mean that as a graduate you could be earning £6,000 per year more and that may increase as your career progresses
• to prove to yourself that you can achieve a higher level qualification
• to find out more about a subject you enjoy
• to prove that you can!

This website will help take you through the vast amount of information that is available about higher education and will direct you specifically to information about courses available in the South West, what grants and other support is available to help you with the costs of study and give you an idea of the types of qualifications and progression routes that are available in a vast range of careers.