More and more students Math games for 2nd grade choosing to pursue higher education at colleges rather than universities.
Of the 353 colleges in England, 270 now offer higher education opportunities, educating about 178,000 students (about 10 percent of the total college-educated population).
Colleges typically offer higher education programs through franchises and partnerships with universities. Many now offer a two-year program and a basic degree that combines theory with teaching skills needed for the workplace. After completing this program at a university for one year, you can get a “full” degree. More and more colleges are offering the opportunity to complete a college degree within their walls.
Other options are the higher national certificate (HNC) or the higher national diploma (HND), which are equivalent to a first or second year at a university and which, with additional study, can also be converted into a graduate degree.
One of the biggest advantages of earning a college degree rather than a university degree is the financial savings. According to Pat Bacon, president of the Association of Colleges and director of St. Helens College, the tuition for a college degree program is usually lower (about 2,000 pounds a year, while a year at universities can cost up to 3,225 pounds for students from Britain and the European Union). “This makes colleges more affordable for students worried about debt when they graduate,” Ms. Bacon says. The average tuition debt is about £23,000, according to a recent student survey.
But many people don’t choose college over university just to save money; value for money can also be a factor. There are generally fewer people in classes, instructors take a more hands-on approach to learning, and there are more opportunities for peer support. “We have an open-door policy,” says Mike Franco, senior lecturer in higher education at Saint Helena College. “So if a student is ‘stuck’ on a topic or feels they don’t understand some material, we can give them the individualized support they need. We can past tense of ride also show students exactly what they need to improve their knowledge base. I’m not sure that students in a typical university environment can get that kind of quality instruction.”
That’s the reason that prompted 20-year-old Savannah Bailey to go to community college rather than go to university.” At 18, she “didn’t feel old enough” to leave home. She is now pursuing a two-year basic degree in fashion at New College Nottingham.
Mike Tanner was only 17 when he graduated from college and also didn’t feel ready to leave for university. He chose a two-year basic degree at City of Bristol College, where he successfully earned a degree in graphic design. “There were only 15 of us in the class, and I already knew most of the faculty, so I didn’t feel like I had taken a big step toward a graduate degree,” he says.
Living at home with his parents and working 16 hours a week at a local wholesaler allowed Tanner to stay afloat financially. After his basic degree, he plans to upgrade to an advanced degree by attending Plymouth University for a year. He anticipates his student debt will be only £7,000 over three years of study.
“A lot depends on confidence and motivation,” Mr. Franco says. “We know all of our students and give them individual support where we can, and that’s reflected in their results. We retain a large number of our students, and our results are the same as local universities, if not better, especially when it comes to higher grades.”
Colleges also offer students more flexibility, said Shane Chowen, vice president of professional education for the National Union of Students. “I’m very supportive of higher education in colleges because it’s flexible, good value for money, which is vital today. Colleges have a lot of different options, shorter programs, such as a basic degree that can be supplemented later. Admission requirements are more flexible, too, and colleges often take previous work experience into account, which is also important for the spread of higher education.
Critics might argue that while colleges have smaller groups and a more hands-on approach to learning, students don’t get to interact with lecturers who are actively involved in research, publishing in journals, and writing books.
