• University of York

Diverse Routes into Higher Education

Join us and explore the variety of routes available to enter higher education, and the support available to you

Students working together from various backgrounds

Diverse Routes into Higher Education

  • 2 weeks

  • 4 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Open level

Find out more about how to join this course

The course sets out some of the key considerations in applying for relevant university-level courses, making the most of your technical or vocational experience, and getting the most out of your higher education experience when you get here.

The University of York currently has a diverse range of students studying at the university, including students who have progressed from BTECs and industry experience. We also deliver higher and degree apprenticeship programmes. This course is aimed at anyone who is interested in progressing to higher education from non-A Level routes.

Download video: standard or HD

Skip to 0 minutes and 7 seconds There have never been as many possible entry routes into university as there are now! In this short course, we explore how university is becoming increasingly accessible to everyone, from all backgrounds, and the support on offer to ensure you get the most out of your higher education experience, whatever your past educational journey may have been. Whether you are a student looking to progress from apprenticeships to higher education, accessing university via other vocational qualification entry routes such as BTECs or Access to HE, or undertaking T Levels, we aim to make the transition to university as seamless as possible.

Skip to 0 minutes and 46 seconds Here at the University of York, we recognise that learners come to us from a range of backgrounds, and this short course will support anyone thinking about university as their next step, and support their career aspirations. We value the practice-based learning that many of our students gain in the workplace prior to applying for degree programmes and subsequently bring to their study, Together we will look at how to progress to university through diverse entry routes, the wide-ranging benefits of higher education, how to develop the necessary academic skills, and how to embed lifelong learning within your future study plans. Join us, and together we can help plan your personal route into the world of university level learning.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Exploring the variety of qualification routes into Higher Education

    • Welcome and introduction

      An introduction to the course objectives and a chance to think about how you will learn. There is a welcome video from the lead educator and also an opportunity to introduce yourself and meet fellow learners for the first time.

    • Routes into Higher Education

      In this week we will be looking at the variety of qualification routes into Higher Education, exploring routes including T Levels.

    • Higher and Degree Apprenticeships

      In this activity we'll discover more about higher and degree apprenticeships, exploring the benefits of this option.

    • Workplace Learning and Work-Based Experience

      In this activity, we'll explore the benefits of workplace learning and work-based experience, discovering employer views on the value of work experience.

  • Week 2

    Supporting your decision making

    • Welcome to Week 2

      Welcome back to the second week of the course

    • Researching Your Options

      Unsure which route into higher education is for you? We'll explore different methods you can use to further explore the routes, such as researching online and attending open days.

    • Accessing and Applying for Opportunities

      In this activity we'll explore how to access and apply for opportunities, think about financial options, and find out more about what course providers are looking for in applications.

    • Support During Your Higher Education Experience

      In this final activity, we'll explore how you'll be part of a supportive learning community in higher education. We'll finish by exploring how to create an action plan to support your next steps.

    • Closing thoughts and final test

      Are you ready for the final test and a last chance to reflect?

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explore the diverse routes into studying higher education at college, university and in the workplace
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the range of higher education options available and the different features of these options
  • Evaluate a range of higher education options in relation to their personal context and/or preferences
  • Reflect on the skills gained from prior study and work experience and assess how these can be used to support an application to a higher education provider
  • Demonstrate knowledge of work-based learning options and reflect on if these options are relevant to them
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the variety of methods higher education providers use to support students with their skills development

Who is the course for?

Anyone interested in entering higher education through a non A-level route. This could include individuals studying on T-levels and apprenticeships, and those entering higher education after gaining experience in the workplace.

Who developed the course?

University of York

The University of York combines the pursuit of academic excellence with a culture of inclusion, which encourages everyone – from a variety of backgrounds – to achieve their best.

Ways to learn

Buy this course

Subscribe & save

Limited access

Choose the best way to learn for you!

$89/one-off payment

$39.99/month

Automatically renews

Free

Fulfill your current learning needDevelop skills to further your careerSample the course materials
Access to this courseticktick

Access expires 4 May 2024

Access to 1,000+ coursescrosstickcross
Learn at your own paceticktickcross
Discuss your learning in commentstickticktick
Tests to check your learningticktickcross
Certificate when you're eligiblePrinted and digitalDigital onlycross
Continue & Upgrade

Cancel for free anytime

Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$39.99/month

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$89/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 4 May 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn

Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...