College or university? If that’s the choice you’re facing, it’s good to know that while differences remain, links between the two are growing all the time, leading to a much more joined-up route from Further to Higher Education.
‘The main difference is that colleges are considered to be more vocational,’ says Suzanne Ebel, a researcher at Scotland’s Colleges. ‘So if you want to be a plumber, an undertaker or a hairdresser, then go to college.
'Colleges pride themselves on offering a much wider range of levels at which to study, and it’s also common to go to your local college. If you’re thinking of university, you may need to move for the right course.
The way courses are taught at college is similar to school. University is different. Susannah Lane from Universities Scotland points out that ‘there is a greater level of independence, with students taking more responsibility for their own learning.’
Switching over
However, thanks to something called articulation, this isn’t the end of the story.
Last year just under 2,800 students completed an HND or HNC at college and moved on to the second or third year of a degree course at university.
‘If you’ve started at college and then realise that you want to get a degree, you may be able to move over without having to repeat what you’ve already learnt,’ explains Susannah. ‘It’s a unique part of the relationship between universities and colleges in Scotland.’
Partners not rivals
Susannah also thinks the traditional vocational versus academic distinction between college and university is also becoming blurred.
‘It’s not just the colleges that make students ‘work ready’ – there’s been a huge transformation in the way in which universities work,’ she explains.
Universities are developing much closer partnerships with industry and professional bodies, which in turn are having a much greater input into course curriculums.
‘If a trade body has accredited your course then that’s a sure sign to a prospective employer that you’re work ready,’ she adds.
Both Susannah and Suzanne are quick to dismiss any talk of competition.
‘College can be a very good place to start, depending on what you want to do,’ says Suzanne.
‘They are our partners,’ says Susannah. ‘We complement each other.’
What next?
Not sure what you want to do? Check out Course Choices to find the latest courses throughout Scotland.
Still to submit your UCAS application? Try the tools below to discover where your strengths lie and find out which careers suit you.
