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How are the courses structured? Courses in higher education can be structured in different ways. The main types are listed below:
As the name suggests, study is concentrated on one main subject. There is often the chance to study other areas, particularly in the first year, but not to any depth. Two subjects are studied in roughly equal proportions. These subjects may be from different faculties. It may be possible to ‘major’ in one and to study the other subject as a ‘minor’. Two or more subjects are taken in varying proportions, usually within the same faculty. This is an increasingly common method of study. You choose from a wide range of different modules, building up credits towards a final degree. Depending on the modules taken, a student can achieve a single, joint or combined degree. You study a number of subjects, all related to a particular theme or discipline such as environmental studies, American studies or communication studies. Courses combining study with paid work placements. These can either be a ‘thick’ sandwich – a block placement of one year - or a ‘thin’ sandwich – several shorter placements spread out during your course. These courses allow study at a college of further education for one or two years, and may involve transferring to a named college or university to finish the course. An example of this is the 2 + 2 degree, whereby the student would spend two years gaining an HND at a college of further education, then transfer to a named higher education institution. Some courses, notably engineering and science, offer an additional first year to enable students who do not hold the required entry qualifications to enter specialist courses. These may have different title in different institutions, eg Year Zero. This is not to be confused with the Foundation Degree. These are similar to HNDs in that they last for two years and available in vocational areas. They offer the possibility of ‘topping up’ to a degree by further study. There are no set entry requirements, but school/college leavers may be asked for specific grades/points. For more information visit: www.foundationdegrees.org.uk. The many different types of course make it essential to consult prospectuses and course leaflets carefully. Don’t be misled by course titles – it is the content and structure that are important.
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