Trade and professional qualifications are designed around specific career paths, giving you the skills to progress. They are usually designed for people already employed or looking to improve skills to make the next career step, so are often part-time and flexible.

Providers will also offer continued professional development (CPD) opportunities. These may be linked to specific professions or focus on teaching transferable skills such as business or project management, leadership or IT skills.

Some trade and professional courses are free, while you might be eligible for funding if not – see Funding for mature students

Search courses on the National Career Service’s course database.

An apprenticeship is a paid job where the employee learns and gains valuable experiences through on-the-job training, supplemented with 20% of their time completing classroom-based or distance-learning with a college, university or training provider which leads to a nationally recognised qualification.

Higher and Degree Apprenticeships provide higher-level skills, and are suitable for those starting a career, changing direction, or upskilling themselves in their current job. There is no age limit to beginning an apprenticeship.

• Higher level apprenticeships provide an opportunity to gain Level 4 qualifications or above, with most apprentices gaining an NVQ Level 4, HND, or foundation degree. A higher apprenticeship can take from one to five years to complete and involve part-time study at a college, university, or training provider.
• Degree apprenticeships are similar to higher level apprenticeships, but differ in that they provide an opportunity to gain a full Bachelor’s degree (Level 6) or Master’s degree (Level 7).

Go Higher West Yorkshire has information about higher and degree apprenticeships, including their benefits, how to apply, and how funding and salary payments work. The onus is on the student to find an employer but course providers can help. Most institutions will post on their websites if they have employers who are looking to fund higher and graduate apprenticeships.

Here are links to the Go Higher West Yorkshire’s higher education partners who offer higher and/or degree apprenticeships:

• Bradford College
• University of Bradford
• Calderdale College
• University of Huddersfield
• Kirklees College
• Leeds Beckett University
• Leeds City College
• Leeds College of Building
• Leeds Trinity University
• University of Leeds
• Wakefield College

Here is a comprehensive list of higher and degree apprenticeships available from our partners.

The Government’s apprenticeship support service provides a full list of providers.

“I didn’t see myself just learning in a lecture theatre among hundreds of other students, as I am quite a hands-on learner. The idea of doing something practical, learning on the job, getting paid, and having no debt was appealing.”

Student stories: Ruth Watson, HND at Leeds Building College and Degree Apprentice in Civil Engineering at Leeds Beckett University

If you are aged 19 or over without the qualifications you need to enter higher education, these one-year, intensive courses are ideal for you. They are usually full-time and begin in September.

Access courses are aimed at learners who don’t have previous Level 3 qualifications such as A Levels or BTECs, or haven’t been in education for a long time. They focus on building the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to progress on to higher education in the subject area you’re interested in. They are recognised by colleges and universities across the UK and allow entry on to higher education courses in your chosen specialist area.

They are usually delivered by FE colleges and are focused into broad subject areas, e.g. Science, Healthcare Professions, Computing, Art & Design.

Here are the access courses available in West Yorkshire:

• Bradford College
• Calderdale College
• Kirklees College
• Leeds City College
• Wakefield College

Leeds College of Building offers a bridging course aimed at students who need to widen their knowledge and skills before progressing on to a Level 4 Higher National Certificate (HNC).

You can get an advanced learner loan for Access to Higher Education courses, and any outstanding balance will be ‘written off’ if you complete a higher education course.

“I’d got to a point in my Teaching Assistant role where I’d gone as far as I could without accessing further training. I knew I needed to retrain and this was my chance to do it in something I really wanted to do and my passion wasn’t teaching, it was nursing. It’s always been nursing.”

Student stories: Leanne, studying Access to Higher Education (HE) Health course at Calderdale College.

Some providers offer a foundation or qualifying year for your first year of study. They are aimed at learners who might already have A Levels or other Level 3 qualifications, but not the right grades or in the right subject area.

They are generally one year, full-time courses delivered at a university or college, and can be offered as a ‘standalone’ course, or as part of a degree. You will usually continue from a foundation year to a three-year undergraduate degree.

Foundation years are usually designed to develop the skills and subject-specific knowledge required to undertake a degree course, and so they specialise in a subject area.

Foundation years cost the same per year as an undergraduate degree and you’ll be treated as a full-time undergraduate student. You can access student finance for foundation years.

“I completed the Preparation for Higher Education foundation year – it’s an exceptional course and I felt more than prepared to progress on to the BSc Nursing (Mental Health) course. Any doubts I had about returning to education were wiped out … I would say to anyone who is thinking about returning to university, forget whatever you think you can’t do, you can do it, and the support is there.”

Student stories: Gary Hinken, studied Preparation for Higher Education foundation year and then BSc Nursing (Mental Health) at University of Leeds

Foundation degrees are higher-level qualifications which are shorter than typical undergraduate degrees and usually focus on a particular job or profession, with a mixture of academic and vocational learning. They usually take two years full-time to complete, or longer for part-time students.

Foundation degrees are a good option for people who want to study to directly progress your career, as they focus on providing professional and technical skills– within a shorter time frame than a full degree.

Unlike undergraduate degrees, there are no set entry requirements for foundation degrees. Employment experience might be more relevant to your application. Some employers even sponsor their staff to complete foundation degrees as graduates can bring new skills back to the organisation.

There is usually the option to continue for a further year to gain a full honours degree, either within the same course or through a ‘top-up’ at another institution.

You’ll also still be entitled to the same student finance as other higher education students.

“I ended up in a rut and I didn’t know what to do. I knew I was ready for a career change but I felt like I didn’t know who to turn to for advice … When I spoke to the College they were really helpful. I completed a maths and English assessment and discussed my qualifications and experience. I was told I could study a degree! I was so pleased to hear this as it wasn’t something I thought I’d have the opportunity to do.”

Student stories: Carl, studying Business, Leadership and Management Foundation Degree at Calderdale College

“While there’s obviously an academic spin on everything, the course is run like a workplace environment where tasks are set so I learn how to do things for myself. I’ve found this way of teaching incredibly beneficial, and although I’m still in my first year here, I already feel a lot more confident when working on tasks and not just the particular areas that pique my interest most. I’m looking forward to a fruitful future in the industry.”

Student stories: Jim Edginton studied Independent Game Development FdA at Wakefield College

Higher National Certificate (HNCs) and Higher National Diploma (HNDs) are both higher technical qualifications which are eligible for student finance. HNCs are one-year work-related courses which are equivalent to the first year of a university degree programme, and the HNDs are two-year, work-related courses, equivalent to the first two years.

HNCs and HNDs are usually delivered through a FE college with HE provision, and are highly regarded by employers as they are explicitly designed to prepare learners for the world of work.

You can progress from a HNC to a HND, and once you’ve completed the HND it’s possible to gain an undergraduate degree through a ‘top-up course, or by directly entering a degree in year three.

You can apply for student finance while studying higher technical qualifications.

“Doing this course gave me so many opportunities; the chance to make contacts and network with people and that has been a vital part of my successes to date. The majority of opportunities I’ve had have been made through people I’ve met at college or university. Also, the skills I learnt in performance and song writing have been extremely relevant to my role as a music producer.”

Student stories: Darren studied HND in Music (Popular Music) at Wakefield College

Undergraduate degrees, also called Bachelor’s or first degrees, are three-year full-time/six year part-time (where available) qualifications which can be studied at universities and colleges.

Undergraduate degrees have traditionally focused on academic study, but vocational learning is becoming an increasingly important element of many courses. Work-based learning through placements or live projects is common, and some courses offer a year-in-industry work placement or ‘sandwich year’ which is usually taken between second and third year of study. This means you can graduate with existing experience in your chosen industry.

Types of Bachelor’s degree include:

• Bachelor of Arts – BA (Hons)
• Bachelor of Science – BSc (Hons)
• Bachelor of Engineering – BEng (Hons)
• Bachelor of Laws – LLB (Hons)

“There’s a good mix of classroom-based learning and practical sessions on the course at Bradford, and learning on placement has been my favourite part of the course so far. My first placement was at Airedale Hospital, working on a ward with elderly people. I loved the satisfaction of helping them and making their life a bit easier. I also found the communication skills I’d learnt in the café, listening to our customers’ problems and being empathetic to them, set me up well for the ward.”

Student stories: Chris Smith is studying BSc Nursing (Adult) at University of Bradford

Student stories: Mark is studying BSc Applied Sports Performance at Wakefield College

If you have an existing Level 5 qualification (such as a Higher National Diploma (HND), NVQ Level 5 or Foundation Degree), a top up degree will allow you to build on your previous learning, gain credits and graduate with a full undergraduate degree.

Top-up degrees are equivalent to the final year of an undergraduate degree study. It’s possible to progress straight from your previous study or return to education after a break – there’s no time limit on the gap between your Level 5 study and the top-up degree.

Student stories: Alan Troake, studying BA (Hons) (Top-up) Performance at Bradford College 

After graduating with an undergraduate degree or equivalent (level 6 degree apprenticeship or top-up degree), or sometimes with work experiences which would equal an undergraduate degree, you can apply to a Level 7 or Level 8 programme of study.

A common postgraduate qualification is a Masters degree, which provides the opportunity to extend skills, demonstrate expertise and to progress a research project. They usually take one year full-time from September to September, or where available you may be able to study part-time over two or three years. Masters degree titles include:

• Master of Arts – MA
• Master of Science – MSc
• Master of Engineering – MEng
• Master of Research – MRes
• Master of Laws – LLM

Masters degrees often build upon the learning of an undergraduate degree with a specific focus linked to business or industry. For example, a Masters in Business Administration is an internationally recognised degree to advance business and management skills. Other Masters degrees are academic in focus.

There isn’t a fixed cost for this qualification, but the average cost of a classroom-based, taught Masters in the UK is £9,465. If you’re under 60 on the first day of the first academic year of your course, a Masters Loan of up to £11,836 is available from student finance and can help towards tuition fees and living costs – although it’s unlikely it will cover the full costs of studying. Course providers may also offer bursaries or fee waivers.

Other postgraduate study options include postgraduate certificates (PGCert) or postgraduate diplomas (PGDip), which are a shorter postgraduate study options and often have a vocational focus. A PGCert is equivalent to one-third of a Masters, and a PGDip is equivalent to two-thirds of a Masters – you will complete all the classroom elements but not write a dissertation. They’re shorter than a full Masters degree, they are sometimes easier to fit around work commitments.

Some postgraduate courses can allow you to enter regulated professions. These are usually Certificate- or Diploma-level qualifications, rather than full degrees. Common examples include the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and conversion courses such as the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL).

Finally, the most advanced higher education study option is a PhD, or doctorate. A PhD degree involves independently conducting original and significant research in a specific field or subject, in order to produce a final publication-worthy thesis. Full-time PhDs usually last for three or four years, while part-time PhDs can take up to six or seven. Once graduated, PhD students might progress into academia or into industry roles which take advantage of their research skills.

Student stories: Michelle, studying a PhD in Health and Social Care at Leeds Trinity University

If you fancy trying something new or want to pursue a pastime and make new friends, leisure and hobby courses allow you to learn new skills. They’re often shorter courses that take place at evenings and weekends and are designed to fit around your existing commitments. They’re a great way to familiarise yourself with attending college while you plan your return to study.

• Bradford College
• Calderdale College
• Leeds City College
• Kirklees College
• Wakefield College