Gap years
Gap years can be used to enhance your CV, travel, learn new skills, and much more. Find out more and get some inspiration here.
Information and advice pages
Gap years
Gap years can be used to enhance your CV, travel, learn new skills, and much more. Find out more and get some inspiration here.
What is distance learning?
Distance learning allows you to pursue a degree, by studying in your own time, rather than on campus. Learn more about this alternative, including who offers it, and whether employers recognise it.
Choosing where to study or train
After GCSEs/National 5s, you could stay in school, go to a sixth form college, go to a further education (FE) college, or join a work-based training provider.
Education personal statement guide
Go beyond teaching in your education personal statement, to really explain your passion and interest in how we learn, the role of education today, and how we can shape learning environments.
HE provider good practice briefing for students with care responsibilities
Discover good practice briefing for staff working in universities and colleges which supports the introduction of the UCAS flag to identify students with caring responsibilities from 2023 entry.
Mature conservatoire students
Every year, thousands of adults go into higher education and many study at a conservatoire. It's a great chance to develop skills and career options.
Balancing work and study
As long as it doesn’t take up too much study time, finding a part-time job is a great way to gain more money, less debt, and new skills for your CV.
How and where to study
There are many ways you can study, with different work combinations and locations, including distance or work-based learning, and more.
How does distance learning work?
Discover how distance learning works if you’re studying a degree remotely, from applying to teaching and exams. Plus, see what support is available from tutors and other students.
Mature undergraduate students
Every year, thousands of mature students go to university or college. It's a great chance to develop new skills and career options – at any age.
Supporting displaced students (refugees, asylum seekers, and those with insecure immigration statuses)
Knowing how to support displaced students can be challenging, especially if their immigration status is insecure or due to change. We have worked with expert organisations to clarify practical ways you can support displaced students' aspirations for higher education.
English language personal statement guide
Use your writing skills in your personal statement to highlight your passion for human language and communication in all its forms.
HE provider good practice briefing for students with parenting responsibilities
This briefing is for staff working in universities and colleges to support the introduction of the new UCAS flag to identify students with parenting responsibilities from 2023 entry. Here, we outline the common challenges for these students, share good practice around the UK to improve access to and success in higher education, and provide considerations ahead of the new question.
Mature students – getting ready to start your course
Once you’ve made the decision that HE is right for you, you might start thinking about how you’re going to prepare to study at university or college.
Subject tasters
Try university degrees before you apply. Subject Spotlights from Springpod give you a taste of what it's like to study real subjects delivered by university lecturers and developed in partnership with the universities
Distance learning and part-time study
Higher education courses can be studied in flexible ways. There are different study types, work combinations, and part-time options.
Disabled students: Researching your choices
Our best advice: start your research early. Alongside your research into courses and universities, you may also need to take your individual support needs into account when making your choices.
HE provider good practice briefing for refugees, asylum seekers, and students with limited leave to remain
This briefing is for staff working in universities and colleges, supporting the introduction of the new UCAS flag to identify applicants who are refugees, asylum seekers, and those with limited leave to remain in the UK. We have worked with STAR Network, Refugee Education UK and We Belong to outline the common challenges for these students, share good practice around the UK to improve access to and success in higher education, and provide considerations ahead of the new question.
Before you apply
Consider all the options available to you before you begin your application. Find out what places are really like, attend events, research industries, and make sure you're clear on what you want to do before you proceed.