Why university?

Your kids might be getting to the age when they’re starting to think about their future – or you’re nagging them to start thinking about it! It can be a confusing time, with lots of options available. But how do you work out what’s right for your son or daughter? If you’re considering university but not sure about the ins and outs and why it makes a good choice, we’ve tried to outline these here so you can make a more informed decision.

For some professions (teaching, nursing, law, and so on) it is a minimum requirement to have a degree-level qualification in that area, while an increasing number of others require a degree, but do not specify in which subject.

With today’s career landscape changing rapidly, highly-skilled graduates are increasingly sought after across every employment sector. This means that whatever career your son or daughter is interested in, degree level study could help them to build skills, experience and expertise that will be highly valued by their future employers.

Work experience vs academic experience

In today’s competitive jobs market, increasing numbers of employers expect candidates to have both a degree AND substantial experience of the workplace – however it is possible to have both!

Our practice-based approach combines academic study with opportunities to gain workplace experience, ensuring that our graduates are prepared for the world of work. Our students have enjoyed placements with companies like the BBC, Cisco, IBM, NHS, Microsoft, Dolby, Selfridges, ASOS and more.

Developing more than just career prospects

For many students, university is a key time to figure out some important life skills such as how to cook, clean and manage their money! This time is great for them to gain independence, and as cheesy as it sounds, to find themselves. Many people go to university still unsure as to what career path they’d like to take, and the years they spend in education helps highlight the style of work and type of work that suits them best.

Wondering if there’s different types of degrees out there? Read on…

Foundation years

Foundation years are perfect if your child doesn’t meet the entry requirements for a degree course, as they enable students to develop their learning to an appropriate standard in preparation for the first year of the degree. Most of our undergraduate courses now have a foundation pathway.

Degree apprenticeships

Degree apprenticeships give you the best of both worlds – all the academic challenge of a highly regarded degree, alongside a full-time wage and the first step on the career ladder with a prestigious employer.