Once you've decided that Higher Education (HE) is something you wish to pursue, you need to decide which course you would like to study. Amongst other things you will need to consider:
- Where to study
- What subject to study
- Whether to study an academic or a vocational course
- Whether to study full time or part time
Making these decisions may sound daunting but it needn't be, particularly if you gather as much information as possible about different HE courses and speak to professionals trained in offering advice and guidance prior to making your choice.
Once you've looked at all the usual sources of information (i.e. prospectuses, institutions' websites) you may decide to speak to the following people:
Central admissions at the university/ college - for information about the entry requirements or admissions procedures for a particular course
Department admissions tutors - for more information about the content of a particular course
Careers - for information about the types of occupation/ further study you can enter with a particular qualification.
Open days are an excellent way to find out more about particular courses as well as everyday life at the university or college. We would strongly recommend visiting a university or college before applying to study there. Click here for details of forthcoming open days in York.
Once you've gathered as much information as possible, you may benefit from some professional advice. This may be especially useful if you want to discuss some initial thoughts about the type of course you would be suited to. There are a range of services that can offer advice relating to Higher Education. Some of these are listed below.
Connexions - if you are 19 or under you should have a Connexions Personal Adviser (PA). Your PA will be able to offer you advice about the different Higher Education options available to you. Click here to view the Connexions Direct website.
School/ college - your subject tutors will know your strengths and weaknesses and which learning styles you respond best to. .
Future Prospects - York's free learning and work advice service and offers information, advice and guidance on all aspects of Higher Education.
Guidance Services/ VT Enterprise - offer information, advice and guidance about careers, training and learning opportunities. .
Once you've decided which HE course you are interested in, you will need to follow the correct application procedure depending on whether you are applying for a full-time or part-time course.
Have a look at our information sheets for information about choosing a course and applying.