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Everything you ever wanted to know about further and higher education

Want to spend four years studying Vikings? Or maybe you’d like to take a term to learn all about Pokémon. What about three years becoming an absolute expert on Gothic studies?

They’re all options (pretty strange ones, we admit) open to you as part of your further education and higher education. You may have heard them used a lot, but what do these terms actually mean and what’s the real difference between further and higher education?

In this guide, we'll go right back to basics and explain:

What is further education?

What further education courses can i do, what is higher education, what is a higher education qualification.

By the time you finish reading, you’ll know your DipHE from your CertCE, promise.

Basically, further education is the term given to any education after secondary school (aka high school) that is not an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. It’s what you learn after the age of 16, but usually not at university.

As well as A-levels or Scottish highers, there are a huge number of further education (FE) courses you can do. You can take an FE course at technical colleges, Colleges of Further Education (CFE), and Adult and Community Colleges.

You can take level 2 and 3 courses to specialise in a specific technical job. Many of the courses are part-time or fairly short. If you don't know what we mean by level 2 and 3, check out this guide to qualification levels .

So when it comes to the difference between further and higher education, generally speaking, higher education is the term used when we’re talking about education at university . You usually have to be 18 or over to take a higher education course.

Here we’ll run through all the higher education qualifications open to you. They come under two categories: undergraduate and postgraduate .

What are higher education qualifications at the undergraduate level?

These are the next stage after you finish your A-levels  or other further education qualification. The most common qualifications are:

Bachelor’s degree

A bachelor’s degree is probably the higher education qualification you’ve heard the most about. They’re also known as undergraduate, first or honours degree. They most commonly include the bachelor of arts (BA) and bachelor of science (BSci) degrees.

Degrees usually take 2 to 4 years to complete, and the focus is typically on giving you an academic grounding in whatever subject you’re studying . Depending on the course, you’ll learn in lectures and seminars – as well as some practical, hands-on experiences.

There are thousands of degree courses out there – basically anything you can imagine, from beer brewing to yacht operations (here are 15 more 15 more unusual university degree courses you didn’t know existed ).

Important note! University isn’t the only path to get your dream job. Apprenticeships let you work, learn and earn at the same time. There are also some apprenticeships that give you a degree .

Foundation degree (FdA)

Foundation degree courses emphasise “learning by doing”, so you’ll develop skills for the workplace . They blend practical learning in a working environment with academic study so you can train for a specific job, like fashion or 3D animation. After your foundation you can go straight into a job or “top-up” to finish a full degree.

Higher national certificate and diploma (HNC/HND) These are similar to foundation degrees. The HNC lasts one year, and the HND takes around two years if you do it full time. You could do HNDs in business, travel or hospitality, for example. This diploma can lead directly to a job, but it’s also equivalent to the second year of a university degree, so it’s often used as a stepping-stone to a full degree.

Certificate of continuing education (CertCE)

A CertCE is like doing the first year of university – it’s like a “taster” of higher education while also being a recognised qualification. You could also use this as a stepping-stone to a full degree. For example you could do a CertCE in law or criminology. Many of them can be done online.

Certificate and diploma of higher education (CertHE/DipHE)

Similar to the CertCE above, the CertHE is like doing one year at uni, and the DipHE is equal to two years. It’s often given if you have to leave a degree early.

What are higher education qualifications at the postgraduate level?

These courses are done after a bachelor’s degree. You could do a:

Master’s degree

Some students will do a master’s after their bachelor’s undergraduate degree. And just like a bachelor’s, there are loads of options. Usually you’ll do more in-depth research and independent learning at this stage.

Postgraduate certificate and diploma (PGCert/PGDip)

PGCert and PGDip are like levels within a master’s, and they’re also standalone qualifications. So if you don’t want to do a full master’s degree, you can do these shorter qualifications. 

Doctorate (PhD)

This is the one where you’ll get to call yourself Dr – and insist everyone else does, obviously. A Doctorate is considered the highest level of academic degree. Students work on their own initiative to complete a major piece of original research. It can take years.

Now you know the difference between further and higher education, find out more about what you might like to do in your career  so you can plan your next steps.

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Is University Higher Education or Further Education?

In University by Think Student Editor June 8, 2021 Leave a Comment

Higher education and further education may be terms you have heard many times before. But you probably didn’t know the difference between the two. Thousands of students enter university every year. Considering you’re reading this article, there’s a good chance you intend to be one of them at some point. Yet for many people entering Uni, they don’t know what level of education they’re going into. In this article, I will make it clear exactly what stage of education university is. I will also give more detail about the differences, and which could be right for you.  

  The short and simple answer is that university is higher education. Higher education is education after you leave school. It is usually classed as an undergraduate or postgraduate degree (though there are other options). Further education is education received after secondary school that is not offered at a degree level. Therefore, separate to university education. Further education is often used to try and acquire higher education.  

Please read on to understand more about the differences between the two, and which could be better for you.  

Table of Contents

What is Higher Education?

As briefly mentioned above,  higher education is an optional third stage of education, done after secondary school.  This stage of education is awarded upon completion with professional certification, normally in the form of a degree.   

Before 2011, all education partaken after the normal secondary school years were classed as higher education. However, after reform in 2011, it was split so that  university was classed as higher education, while non-degree education after secondary school was rebranded to further education.  As can be seen from this, university is clearly higher education, as it is an optional third level of education after secondary school.   

Higher Education at degree level usually lasts between 3 and 4 years. It is a level of learning that prepares learners for a career in their field of study. Examples of higher education include a Bachelor’s Degree, a Master’s Degree and a Doctorate. We will go into more detail about all of these later in the article, but they are all examples of higher education.  

What is Further Education?

A s discussed above, further education does not include university, and instead covers education completed after secondary school that is offered at a non-degree level. This comprises any other study after secondary school which is not part of graduate and undergraduate programs.  They are usually based on preparation for finding a job or seeking higher education.    

Further education is split into four sections: applied, academic, functional and technical learning.  Academic further education includes A Levels, EPQ and Baccalaureates. Technical further education includes NVQ and SVQ technical levels. Functional higher education can be achieved through things such as apprenticeships and or study programmes.   

Further education can also include some other more unusual qualifications. These include; Land Based Colleges which focus heavily on agriculture, and art, design and performing art colleges.  

What Are the Key Differences Between Higher and Further Education?

So, what are the key differences between higher and further education? Let’s consider the focus and outcome of each form of learning.  Further education is usually a little more relaxed, and allows people to take a course of their choice, and learn skills that they want to learn.  Often, they are used to prepare for a job or higher education, but they are often slightly more relaxed and less pressurised.   

Higher education is specifically set up towards providing students with knowledge that they will need to set them up for a career in their chosen path of study.    

In reality, further education is a level below higher education , and some of it is a compulsory extension to normal secondary school, such as A Levels.  Further education often focuses more on teaching practical skills needed for the job , and is at a higher level than normal secondary school, but lower than the higher learning scale.  

Higher education tends to be more theoretical, and students will receive professional training during their study that prepares them for a job in their field of study.  The field of study also differs.   

Usually, degree courses last 3 to 4 years. The length of a further education course can vary greatly, but will often last only 2 years. This is  the case with A-Levels. The objectives are often similar. Further education can, like higher education, be used to get a job. However, usually a job with a lower salary than one gained after a higher education. As already mentioned, it can also be used to gain access to higher education. Similarly to A-Levels usually being used to gain access to university.  

Further or Higher Education: What Should You Choose?

So now you have a good idea about what further and higher education are. You also know the key differences between the two. You may be wondering which option is right for you. Well, the first point to make is that nowadays, by law, you have to be in some kind of education until you’re 18.  This means that even after you have finished secondary school, you will need to take some form of further education. This could be in the form of A-Levels. It could also be an apprenticeship or a host of other options. Make sure you check out other articles for more information on making this choice on the Think Student website.   

Some people do further education, such as A Levels, with the aim of getting into higher education. If this, is you, and you have a desire to go to university, then you probably also have a decent idea about what career path you want to pursue. If this is the case, then Uni and higher education could be the right option for you. Especially if you are trying to get into a competitive field of work. Going to university will prepare you specifically for work in the field through study-based learning. It will also get you a degree at the end, which will greatly help you get work.  

However, for some people who wish to do something based in agriculture or an arts-based job, there may be options in further education that are better suited to you. For example, there are colleges that specifically focus on agriculture, as well as arts subjects such as art or drama.   

Should You Go Straight into a Job?

There is also the option of heading straight into a job after you have finished the mandatory education.  This is especially possible if you have done an apprenticeship. If the field of work you wish to enter into is not as competitive, and you have done an apprenticeship in it, then you could use your further education to head straight into a job.  However, if you are looking for a competitive job in a complex field, higher education may be the way to go .   

What Options Do You Have at University?

So, if you have decided that higher education, and university are the right options for you, this is just the beginning. Unfortunately your difficult choices are still not over. Far from having to choose which course to take, which in itself can be a tough decision, you have to decide what level of degree you want to do.    

Undergraduate Degree

There are many options when it comes to making this decision.  A standard undergraduate degree, or Bachelor’s Degree, is what most people take, and what the first stage of your university course will probably be.  They are usually conferred to courses taking around 3 to 4 years.   

Master’s Degree

A master’s degree is a more advanced degree, taken after you achieve your bachelor’s degree,  and usually lasts between 1 and 3 years.  For students in the United Kingdom, you can earn a Master’s in an undergraduate course whose final year comprises high-level courses and a major research project.   

Then you can also do a doctorate. This is the highest level of academic degree that you can undertake at university. It earns you an equal level to the faculty you studied under (and it means you can make your friends call you doctor of course!). This is a degree level that proves you are an expert in your field. This greatly increases your prospects of finding a good job within your field of study.  

Bear in mind the point of higher education is usually to find the best job possible in an area of your choice. The higher the degree the better.  

This is true especially in areas of work that are highly competitive, such as careers in medicine or engineering.  Having a master’s degree, or a doctorate in these areas will help you rise above your competitors.    

All degrees require a lot of work, but these higher-level degrees need even harder work. If you don’t feel that you can handle this level of work, a higher-level degree may not be the right thing.  However, if you feel you can handle the work, and it is needed for your career choice. Then doing a higher-level degree will be a good use of your time in higher education.  

• June 15, 2021

Higher Education

Further education vs. higher education-the difference.

People sometimes see Higher Education as synonymous with Further Education; you may also think the same until now. However, in this article, you will find out that they do not mean the same thing. Nonetheless, both Higher Education and Further Education are post-high school realities. Let’s dig into further education vs. higher education

Towards the end of senior year in high school, students often decide about the future and pursue a career. Some who consider high school education as insufficient for a firm stance in the workforce see a need to study more. Most people in this category actually can afford university tuition.

However, for others, the end of high school is the end of their formal education. It happens for different reasons like finance and lack of interest. To this extent, not all high school graduates consider studying further before starting their careers. On the contrary, entrepreneurship-minded graduates are going after their careers or enterprises right after high school.

Whichever category you belong to, studying more or starting immediately after high school does not guarantee success or failure in your career/enterprise. It is all a matter of choice, but if you are in the “study more” category, you are either thinking of Further Education or Higher Education. If finance is what is holding you back, you should read about Further Education in this article. 

This article focuses on everything you should know about Further Education vs. Higher Education. First, however, we must acquaint ourselves with both Further Education and Higher Education separately to do justice to the subject. 

Here is a peek into what we will cover in this article:

Further Education

Further education vs. higher education.

So, let’s dive right in.

After high school education, usually from the age of 16, you can take on Further Education. Any form of post-high school education does not take place in the university nor award students with undergraduate or postgraduate degrees. 

There are various courses under this category that are structured to equip you with vocational and workplace skills. Further Education issues diplomas, awards, and certificates at the end of the course.

Further Education courses usually take a short time to complete and are mostly part-time. However, with Further Education, you can become great at vocational skills like catering, hairstyling, childcare, web design, and fashion designing, among others. 

Also, to specialize in a specific technical job, you can take level 2 and 3 courses in the area/field of your choice. Students can obtain further education at Technical Colleges, Adult and Community Colleges, and Colleges of Further Education.

Higher Education refers to an education that takes place in the university. It implies both undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Higher Education is usually open to individuals from age 18 upwards. However, it is also post-high school education. It means you are only qualified for Higher Education when you have completed your high school education.

Usually, people can complete university courses or courses in Higher Education are over a more extended period, especially at the undergraduate level. With Higher Education, you get to gain a broader and higher knowledge in the academic field of your choice. You can also study to be a professional in specific careers like; Medicine, architecture, law, and agriculture, to name a few. For a guide on choosing a university course, click here.

Higher Education is often full-time over 2 to 8 years. At the end of your studies, at the undergraduate level, you are awarded with degrees including but not limited to; BSc (Bachelor of Science) and BA (Bachelor of Arts). At the postgraduate level, available degrees include but are not limited to; MSc (Master of Science), PGDip (Post Graduate Diploma), and Ph.D./Doctorate. Thus, higher education is an academic study path with a Doctorate at its highest level.

Placing Further Education and Higher Education side by side, let us compare and contrast the two for the sake of better understanding.

Although they both are different, Further Education and Higher Education have certain similarities. They are both post-high school education, which means they both exist at the tertiary level of education. They are also both formal education, although Further Education could have some elements of semi-formality. In the end, they both serve the purpose of preparing you for your career in the labor world.

Despite the above mentioned, Further Education is not the same, neither does it serve the same purposes as Higher Education.

Comparing And Contrasting The Two

Further Education is generally more affordable than Higher Education in terms of tuition. Depending on the course and the school, the tuition for Further Education can be as low as $3. Averagely, the tuition for a course in Further Education is about 10% of that of Higher Education and sometimes less. So if you are thinking of affordability, pursuing a Higher Education degree may not be the best choice.

Completion of Higher Education courses has varying periods. But it often ranges from 2 years to 8 years. In contrast with Further Education, it takes more time to complete a course in Further Education in a couple of months. Many courses in Further Education are usually completed in less than a year.

The common reason for further education and Higher Education is to acquire the needed knowledge or skill to fit into the highly competitive labor market. Most of the graduates of Further Education are equipped with a vocational skill to turn to an enterprise. Entrepreneurship makes job search less of a problem as you can become self-employed and even employ others. Higher Education mostly makes job seekers and not job creators. The employment rate among university graduates is usually lower than among people who acquired vocational skills.

Qualification

It is Crystal that the qualifications obtainable from either Further Education or Higher Education differ. Unlike Further Education, Higher Education gives honors that are often more highly esteemed in most societies like Doctor, Professor, engineer, barrister, etc. They often qualify you for high positions in the workforce. Society often regards someone with a qualification from Higher Education as more knowledgeable than someone with a certification from Further Education.

Generally speaking, if you choose Further Education over Higher Education, you should plan to start your enterprise. However, you may be asking at this point which one is better, seeing that they both have their unique strengths and weaknesses?

Further Education vs. Higher Education, Which is better? 

A direct response to this is, none is generally better than the other. Nevertheless, relatively, based on individual unique interest and pursuit, there is undoubtedly a better choice. 

In the view of employment opportunities, in the 20th century and the first decade of the 21st century, people with Higher Education have more employment opportunities. In the present day, entrepreneurship is the trend. Most people want to be employers of labor, and the competition for employment is very high. As a result, people with Further Education thrive more, and the unemployment rate among people with Higher Education is high. Therefore, it means you stand a better chance in today’s society with Further Education than getting a job or building up your career is concerned.

Based on different personalities, the type of person you are can determine which one is better for you. For instance, Higher Education is more suited for people who like writing and researching. If you love academics, then it is better for you. Further education, on the other hand, works better for people who are more interested in practical classes. If you prefer being in the field, learning by doing, Further Education is the better choice for you.

Apart from your consideration of the cost in money and time, your goal matters a lot too. Some careers demand Higher Education while others vocational skill acquisition. For instance, if your goal is to start a career in Law, Higher Education is a better choice. Moreover, if you are looking at building a career in Interior or Fashion designing, Further Education will equip you perfectly.

Education is a never-ending engagement of every human—formal education for those interested in it and pursuing it. After high school, formal education becomes more of choice than ever before. Those who choose to continue then have a choice to make. If you are making a choice, I bet you want to choose right. There may be no general ‘right’ but knowing all you need to know about Further Education vs. Higher Education will help you determine what works best. 

You should note that the Education system today does not limit you to either of the two. You can have both Further Education and Higher Education. It puts you at a higher advantage as you can easily use either or both to start and build your career. 

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What’s the difference between further and higher education?

We explore the difference between further education and higher education in the uk, and introduce access creative college’s further education options..

Deciding what to do after leaving school can be quite daunting for many students. There are many education-based terms and sometimes it’s hard to know what the differences are.  We will clarify the differences between ‘further education’ and ‘higher education’.

Is university further or higher education?

Higher education typically refers to degree programs offered at universities or other accredited institutions. The courses offered are mainly academic in nature, and students gain a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree at the end of their studies.

While higher education takes a minimum of three years to complete, some universities offer integrated master’s programs that could run for four or five years.

The further education system is often designed for post-16 students keen on pursuing vocational, technical, or practical courses. These programmes usually run for one to two years, and are focused on gaining skills for a specific profession or industry. Examples of courses available in further education include RSL diplomas , NVQs, A-levels, BTECs, and foundation courses.

What are levels 2, 3 and 4 equivalent to?

Within further education there are level 2, 3 and 4 qualifications. Here is a breakdown of what they are equivalent to.

Level 2 qualifications are roughly equivalent to GCSEs. They provide learners with foundational knowledge and understanding of a subject area. Examples of Level 2 equivalent qualifications include the BTEC First Diploma, NVQ Level 2 and GCSEs at grades A*-C.

Level 3 qualifications are roughly equivalent to A-levels. They are designed to provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in a particular subject area. Examples of Level 3 equivalent qualifications include A-levels, BTEC National Diplomas and NVQ Level 3.

Level 4 qualifications are higher education certificates, diplomas and degrees which are equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate degree programme. Examples of Level 4 equivalent qualifications include the Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE), Higher National Certificate (HNC) and Foundation Degree.

Are there any further education colleges near me?

Further Education (FE) colleges typically offer training programmes in technical skills and vocational qualifications. The courses vary from one college to the other, with most of them geared towards helping students acquire specific skills in preparation for a chosen career.

Access Creative College is an example of an FE college with a presence throughout the country. The college has over 3,000 students and seven campuses across the UK, with colleges in Birmingham , Bristol , Lincoln , London , Manchester , Norwich and Plymouth .

Higher Education institutions such as DBS Institute , on the other hand, are devoted to more academic qualifications. They offer undergraduate, postgraduate, and online degree courses focused on various areas, such as music technology, game art, sound design or music production.

When to choose further education or higher education

The choice between higher education and further education comes down to what stage you’re at with your educational and career journey. Students enrol for higher education to acquire a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree and the full-time university experience – after leaving college.

Those interested in gaining practical expertise in a specific trade or vocation after leaving school, or those looking to access education outside of A-levels, might look into further education.

In some instances, students may find it challenging to gain acceptance into a higher education institution based on their academic qualifications. Enrolling for a foundation or access course in further education can help bridge the gap. It can improve your qualifications, and boost your chances of gaining acceptance to a higher education institution.

Choosing a career path is a vital decision that requires careful consideration. Understanding the difference between further education and higher education can make it easier to make the right choice. While higher education is perfect for those seeking academic qualifications and those pursuing a career in specific fields after college, further education is usually geared towards school leavers, but can also boost your chances of accessing higher education.

With Access Creative College’s further education courses , you can acquire the skills, knowledge, and qualifications required to excel in a range of computing, gaming, music or performance industries.

Reach out to Access Creative College today to start exploring your further education options. You can either visit our open days or start browsing our course options now .

Difference Between Further And Vs Higher Education

Education serves as the cornerstone of personal and professional development, guiding individuals through a journey of learning, growth, and opportunity. At its core, the distinction between further and higher education forms a crucial pivot in this journey, affecting career paths, skill acquisition, and life choices. Each path offers distinct benefits and caters to different goals, yet their differences often blur in the broad spectrum of educational opportunities available today.

Further education and higher education are distinct stages within the educational spectrum, tailored to meet varied academic and vocational needs. Further education encompasses a range of post-secondary programs up to the level just before entering higher education, focusing on vocational training and essential skills development. Conversely, higher education is characterized by academic studies leading to degrees such as bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorates, emphasizing theoretical knowledge and research.

The choice between further and higher education depends on one’s career aspirations, learning preferences, and life goals. Further education offers a practical, skills-oriented approach suitable for those aiming for specific vocational careers. In contrast, higher education opens doors to professions requiring advanced academic qualifications and research capabilities. Understanding these differences enables individuals to make informed decisions about their educational and career paths, aligning their choices with personal aspirations and the demands of the modern workforce.

Education Spectrum

Education is a ladder that leads to personal and professional growth. It’s divided into levels, each serving as a stepping stone toward achieving one’s goals . From the foundational years through further and higher education, every stage plays a pivotal role in shaping an individual’s future.

Definition of Education Levels

At its core, education is structured into primary, secondary, further, and higher education . Each level is designed to build upon the knowledge and skills acquired at the previous stage, preparing individuals for the complexities of the modern world. Further education acts as a bridge between secondary schooling and higher education, offering specialized training and qualifications. Higher education , on the other hand, delves into advanced academic and professional studies, leading to degrees and research opportunities.

Role in Personal and Professional Development

Education’s role extends beyond acquiring knowledge. It fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and social skills, which are essential in every sphere of life. Professionally, it equips individuals with the tools and expertise needed to navigate the ever-changing job market, ensuring adaptability and competitiveness .

Further Education Explained

Further education encompasses a range of post-secondary programs that do not lead to a higher education degree. It is designed for individuals seeking vocational training or qualifications below the level of a university degree.

Description and Scope

The scope of further education is vast, covering colleges, vocational schools, and adult education centers . Programs may include diplomas, certificates, and foundation degrees in various fields such as business, technology, arts, and healthcare. This level of education is crucial for filling the skills gap in many industries, providing hands-on experience and practical knowledge.

Key Features

Accessibility and flexibility.

One of the hallmarks of further education is its accessibility . With fewer entry requirements compared to higher education, it opens doors for a broader range of students, including adult learners and those changing careers. Its flexibility allows for part-time study, evening classes, and distance learning, accommodating the diverse needs of its students.

Vocational Focus and Skills Development

Further education is heavily vocational , aimed at equipping students with specific skills and competencies required in the workforce. Through practical training and industry placements, students gain real-world experience, enhancing their employability and readiness for specific careers.

Higher Education Explored

Higher education refers to the tertiary education leading to the award of an academic degree . It encompasses a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs offered by universities and colleges.

Academic Degrees and Institutions

Higher education institutions offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across various disciplines. These institutions are centers for research, innovation, and advanced learning, contributing significantly to the knowledge economy and societal development.

Research-oriented and Theoretical Knowledge

Higher education is characterized by its emphasis on theoretical knowledge and research . Students engage in in-depth study of their chosen fields, contributing to academic discourse and innovation through dissertations and research projects.

Advanced Qualifications and Career Paths

A higher education degree opens the door to advanced career opportunities and higher earning potential. It prepares individuals for professions requiring specialized knowledge and skills, fostering leaders and experts in various sectors.

Comparison Criteria

Entry requirements, further education.

• Generally, requires completion of secondary education
• May need specific vocational qualifications

Higher Education

• Requires advanced academic qualifications, such as A-levels or equivalent
• Entrance exams and interviews may be necessary

Course Structure

Duration, curriculum, and assessment methods.

• Further education courses can range from a few months to several years, with a curriculum focused on practical skills and hands-on training. Assessment is often continuous and based on assignments, projects, and practical performance.
• Higher education programs have a structured duration (e.g., 3-4 years for a bachelor’s degree) with a curriculum that includes lectures, seminars, and research projects. Assessment methods include exams, essays, and dissertations.

Career Outcomes

Employment opportunities and earning potential.

• Further education prepares students for immediate entry into specific careers, often leading to opportunities in skilled trades and technical professions. While the earning potential varies, the emphasis on practical skills can lead to lucrative roles in high-demand industries.
• Higher education graduates generally have access to a wider range of career paths, including academic, professional, and management roles. The advanced qualifications typically result in higher earning potential and opportunities for career advancement.

Choosing Your Path

Goals and interests, aligning education with career aspirations.

The decision between further and higher education should be guided by your career goals and personal interests . It’s crucial to consider what you’re passionate about and how you see your future career unfolding. For those drawn to practical, hands-on work, further education may offer the direct path to fulfilling jobs. Conversely, if your aspirations lie in fields requiring in-depth knowledge, research skills, or academic credentials, higher education is the way forward. Aligning your education with your career aspirations ensures that the time and effort invested in your studies directly contribute to your professional success and satisfaction.

Financial Considerations

Costs, scholarships, and financial aid options.

The cost of education is a significant factor in deciding between further and higher education. Typically, further education programs are less expensive than university degrees and may be shorter in duration, reducing the overall financial burden. However, higher education often presents a larger upfront investment, justified by the potential for higher earnings over time. It’s essential to research scholarships, grants, and financial aid options available for both paths. Many institutions and organizations offer financial support to students based on merit, need, or specific criteria, such as field of study or background.

Long-term Benefits

Professional growth and personal fulfillment.

The long-term benefits of your educational choice extend beyond immediate employment opportunities. Higher education can lead to professional growth , opening doors to advanced positions, leadership roles, and a broader career trajectory. It also offers personal fulfillment through the pursuit of knowledge, contribution to one’s field, and engagement with complex challenges. Further education, with its focus on vocational training and skills development , provides a solid foundation for entering the workforce confidently and competently, often leading to immediate job satisfaction and stability.

Transition Strategies

From further to higher education.

Transitioning from further to higher education is a viable option for many students seeking to expand their qualifications and explore new career possibilities. Bridging programs and pathways have been established to facilitate this transition, recognizing the value of vocational skills and practical experience in academic settings. These programs often provide credit for prior learning, allowing students to accelerate their higher education journey.

Skills Transfer

Leveraging vocational skills in academic settings is a key strategy for success in higher education. The practical skills and real-world experience gained through further education can provide a unique perspective and valuable competencies in more theoretical or research-focused programs. Students can apply their knowledge to practical aspects of their studies, enhancing their understanding and contributing to their academic success.

Current Trends

Technological advancements.

The impact of technological advancements on teaching and learning methods has been profound. Digital tools, online platforms, and virtual reality are just some examples of technology transforming the educational landscape. These innovations offer greater accessibility, flexibility, and personalized learning experiences, benefiting students in both further and higher education. Technology also enables the integration of practical and theoretical knowledge, blurring the lines between vocational training and academic study.

Global Education Landscape

The global education landscape is evolving, with increasing recognition of international qualifications and opportunities for study abroad. This global perspective enriches students’ educational experiences, offering exposure to diverse cultures, ideas, and approaches to learning. For students in higher education, international collaborations and research opportunities expand their academic horizons. Similarly, vocational and technical students benefit from global standards and practices, enhancing their employability and career prospects worldwide.

What is further education?

Further education includes any study after secondary education that’s not part of higher education, leading to qualifications up to the level of foundation degrees. It’s typically vocational, preparing students for specific careers through practical skills and training.

How does higher education differ from further education?

Higher education typically refers to education that leads to academic degrees such as bachelor’s, master’s, and PhDs. Unlike further education, which is more vocational and practical, higher education focuses on academic studies, theoretical knowledge, and research.

Who should choose further education?

Further education is ideal for individuals looking to gain specific vocational skills for certain careers, those wishing to enter the workforce quickly, or students seeking a more practical and less academically intensive pathway.

Can you switch from further to higher education?

Yes, it’s possible to transition from further to higher education through various bridging programs and courses designed to prepare students for the academic challenges of higher education, making it a flexible option for career development.

What are the benefits of higher education?

The benefits of higher education include access to advanced career opportunities, higher potential earnings, the development of critical thinking and research skills, and personal growth and fulfillment through in-depth study of a chosen field.

The journey through education is a deeply personal and impactful decision that shapes one’s future in profound ways. Whether choosing further or higher education, the path one takes should reflect their career goals, learning style, and life aspirations. Both pathways offer unique advantages and serve different purposes in the landscape of education and employment.

Ultimately, the decision between further and higher education hinges on understanding one’s personal and professional objectives. By considering the practical skills and vocational training offered by further education against the academic depth and research opportunities of higher education, individuals can navigate their educational journey with confidence, equipped to make choices that align with their aspirations and the demands of a rapidly evolving global workforce.

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Distinguishing Between Further & Higher Education

Further vs Higher Education

The distinction between further and higher education lies in the focus and outcome of each form of education. Higher education is widely recognized as a means for students to gain knowledge in a chosen subject area while creating income earning opportunities for a comfortable and secure life. However, further education, a term primarily used in the UK, refers to a specific type of education that is distinct from higher education as it is known globally. This article will explore the differences between further and higher education by examining both terms in detail.

What is Higher Education?

In the UK, children receive compulsory education from ages 5-16, which includes five years of secondary education. Students then take an examination called the GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education), a single subject exam covering up to 10 subjects, including math and English language. After completing their GCSEs, students must decide on their future studies and career. Many students choose to pursue higher education, enrolling in colleges or universities for undergraduate courses and later pursuing master’s level degree courses.

What is Further Education?

However, some students may not have the time or finances to pursue higher education. These students can opt for Further Education (FE), which is distinct from higher education but is a level above secondary education. Institutes providing Further Education differ from those offering degree-level courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Further Education goes beyond secondary education but stops short of higher education, encompassing A-level, AS-level, and vocational education. While Further Education is more job-oriented, some choose this education as a pathway to higher education by gaining the necessary knowledge.

Individuals above the age of 16 can opt for Further Education, which is provided in Further Education colleges in the UK. These colleges are similar to community colleges in the US, where people enroll to earn short-term diplomas and certificates for quick employment. The courses offered are industry-ready and practical-oriented rather than theoretical courses taught in higher education. In Australia, TAFE institutes provide vocational training for those seeking jobs after college.

Key Takeaways

• Further education is a level above secondary education but below higher education, focusing on job-oriented skills and knowledge, while higher education is theory-oriented and encompasses undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
• Further education is offered at Further Education colleges (similar to community colleges in the US), while higher education is provided at universities and colleges.
• Further education often leads to quick employment with lower salaries compared to those with higher education degrees, but it can also serve as a pathway to higher education.

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Higher Education vs. Further Education

Katie Gray Tutor Training 0

Higher Education vs. Further Education… What’s the difference? And which one (if either!) is for me?

When it comes to what we do after school, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Some of those with an entrepreneurial spirit will dive straight into the workforce and climb their way up the ladder or somehow manage to fund and excel at a start-up with astonishing ease – but for most of us, it takes a little more moulding before we’re able to find the perfect job.

For that large majority of us, we want to hone our skills a little more before we start our careers. We know that having a qualification under our belt will either help us enter the workforce at a higher level or equip us with a trade to last a lifetime.

In this article, we’re going to talk about the two options for gaining qualifications after school to prepare you for the world of work. These qualifications will either constitute Higher or Further Education. But don’t worry – we’re going to explain what those mean, too!

What’s Higher Education?

Higher Education is an academic study route. When we talk about Higher Education, we’re usually talking about university courses. A bachelor’s degree is a form of Higher Education, and so are postgraduate degrees like a Master’s or PhD.

Degree subjects can lead to very specific careers such as when you study to become a doctor or lawyer. However, many subjects are much broader such as History or Languages. You gain a very high level of knowledge in one specific academic field.

What’s Further Education?

Like Higher Education (HE), Further Education takes place after you finish secondary school. However, unlike HE, Further Education doesn’t (usually) take place at a university. Rather, FE courses are run at colleges or through apprenticeship schemes in workplaces.

Normally, FE courses teach vocational skills such as bricklaying, hairdressing, childcare or catering. An NVQ is a form of FE, and so are many diplomas, awards and certificates. These courses are very much focused on workplace skills and equipping you to be great at a particular vocation.

Which one is better – Higher Education or Further Education?

Hmm, a hard question to answer! Of course, both types of post-secondary school education have their positive sides, and the type of person also matters a lot. If you’re the sort of person who loves reading, note-taking and listening to lectures, you may get on really well in a university environment. However, if you’re more hands-on, you might find FE a much better way to learn. Then, of course, it also depends on what you want to do as your career.

There are some careers you can’t pursue without a HE degree. Then again, there are plenty of careers you can’t get into without the right vocational skills. So, end goal matters a lot here.

That being said…

…The cost of Higher Education is getting insane and competition for jobs – even with a degree – is fierce. As of 2019, universities in England, Scotland and Wales can charge up to £9,250 a year for a university course. For accelerated courses (completed in less time), this can be as much as £11,100.

With most degree courses lasting three to four years, that means you’re looking at an average price tag of £27,750 – £37,000. That’s more than a little spare change!

According to Prospects , 2018 saw the lowest graduate employment rate in 39 years. Only 5.1% of university graduates were in employment within six months of getting their degree.

What’s more, when graduates did get into employment, nearly a quarter of them weren’t getting into professional roles. Around 12% found themselves working in a retail position.

However, employment rates were high among those who could turn their skills to filling a skills gap by taking a vocational role.

We can’t help but wonder…wouldn’t it have been easier to do FE instead?

Why Further Education is becoming the better choice

There are so many benefits to studying FE rather than committing to a costly no-guarantee university degree.

Here are just a few:

• They are so accessible! You don’t have to be an academic whiz kid to go onto FE. This means that those of us who aren’t born academics have the same opportunities to go into promising careers with decent salaries, even if our GCSEs weren’t the best.
• The cost of an entire NVQ – that’s right, the whole course – can be between £2-3k depending on the level of the qualification (1-8). That’s less than 10% of a university degree.
• They take less time. Most NVQs take only 9-12 months to complete.
• They can lead straight into employment. A lot of apprenticeship programs can lead to a job at the end with the workplace that trains you.
• You are no less likely to get a job than a university graduate. In fact, there are graduates using their degrees to fill vocational skills gaps. The job market needs FE students.

It paints a pretty impressive picture, doesn’t it? An affordable and accessible route into employment with even higher employment rates than graduates?

The fact is, the job market is oversaturated with HE graduates, leaving essential vocational skills needs unmet. On the other hand, FE offers options to a far greater percentage of school leavers with little or no debt and almost guaranteed employment.

And, what’s more, a Level 6 NVQ is equivalent to a degree level of learning. So, you have every opportunity to be just as highly educated, more skilled and more employable than HE graduates.

To summarise

Ok, ok… we’ve pitched our case! We’re big fans of Further Education. However, it’s not for everyone. Some people thrive in a university environment or simply need to study a degree to fulfil their career aspirations.

But, there’s a huge percentage of us who could achieve incredible and awesome things through vocational training.

We hope this article has been useful and wish all of our readers the best of luck in their future study – whatever route you might take!

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Home » News » ACE360 » The Differences Between HE and FE

The Differences Between HE and FE

• November 17, 2022

How the differing needs of Higher Education and Further Education providers impact apprenticeship success.

Hello readers, and welcome to the ACE360 blog. In this instalment of our Quarterly Insights series, I will shine a spotlight on the needs of Higher Education Institutions when it comes to managing apprenticeships.

The Further Education sector provides training after secondary school and is more commonly associated with the development of vocational skills and apprenticeships. The Higher Education sector provides university education but also offers apprenticeships alongside traditional honours degrees.

I’ll define the differences between HE and FE (Higher Education and Further Education) in more detail next. Then I’ll explore how Further Education requirements have dominated the development of the regulatory framework to the detriment of Higher Education.

ACE360 is committed to supporting  Higher Education Institutions  (HEIs) and helping support the unique role that they play within the sector. We enjoyed discussing their issues at the  Westminster Employment Forum  in September 2022 and look forward to talking to more HEIs at the next  UVAC conference .

What’s the difference between Higher and Further Education?

Before we get into the issues facing HEIs, let’s define what Higher Education is, what Further Education is, and how their apprenticeship training offering differs.

What Is FE (Further Education)?

According to source:

‘The FE sector is a large, wide-ranging and significant pillar of the education sector offering a range of education and training opportunities, including technical, academic and recreational courses.’

Further Education colleges are popular with learners who prefer practical training upon leaving secondary school, as opposed to an academic route such as a university course. That’s why FE colleges tend to be more commonly associated with apprenticeships.

Sixth-form colleges based in secondary schools are also under the FE banner, providing a purely academic route to qualification.

Further Education and apprenticeships

Further Education colleges and training providers offer a wide range of apprenticeship training programmes. A Further Education college often collaborates with employers to design and deliver apprenticeships that align with industry needs and provide practical skills and qualifications.

• Sectors:  Apprenticeships provided by Further Education providers cover various sectors, including healthcare, IT, construction and engineering.
• Qualification level:  FE apprenticeships are typically at levels 2 to 5 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).
• Career integration:  Generally, FE is designed to equip individuals with the skills needed for entry-level or mid-level positions.
• Access:  FE courses are generally open to individuals who have completed compulsory secondary education (up to age 16) and meet specific entry requirements for the chosen apprenticeship. They are suitable for school leavers and individuals looking to start or progress in their careers.
• Duration:  Typically between 1 to 4 years, depending on the level and complexity of the apprenticeship.

What Is HE (Higher Education)?

‘Higher education is tertiary education leading to award of an academic degree. Higher education, also called post-secondary education, third-level or tertiary education, is an optional final stage of final learning that occurs after completion of secondary education.’

Not often associated with apprenticeships, the HE sector has recently welcomed apprenticeship-based models to a sector not usually associated with ‘hands-on learning’.

Higher Education apprenticeships

In recent years, the UK government has encouraged a broader range of education providers to offer apprenticeships to diversify the options available to learners and meet the demand for skilled workers in various industries.

Many universities and Higher Education Institutions now offer apprenticeship programs in addition to traditional undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

• Sectors:  Higher education apprenticeships often focus on professional and technical roles, allowing students to gain a degree while also acquiring practical, work-based experience in their chosen field.
• Qualification level:  HE apprenticeships are typically at levels 4 to 7 on the RQF and are awarded as higher and degree apprenticeships, such as a bachelor’s degree.
• Career integration:  HE courses are designed to achieve a higher level of knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving and often lead to professional or managerial roles.
• Access:  Candidates usually require a higher level of prior education, such as A-levels or equivalent qualifications, as well as meeting specific criteria set by the employer and the university.
• Duration:  HE apprenticeships tend to be longer in duration than FE courses, often spanning 3 to 6 years, particularly for degree apprenticeships that incorporate undergraduate and postgraduate study.

What are the challenges faced by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)?

Both FE and HE apprenticeship programmes aim to provide a structured pathway for learners to gain valuable skills and qualifications while working. But, as we can see from the above definitions, the offerings, and therefore the needs, of these institutions are very different.

To put it plainly, the FE sector has established a framework in which they can ensure apprentice success, and HEIs have had no option but to follow, despite their differences.

In 2022, I spent eight months working alongside universities to understand their frustrations firsthand. What I found is that they are all ‘in the same boat’, experiencing the same pain points.

An independently published report by OfS highlighted how HEIs have ‘limited’ evidence showing their quality process when managing degree apprenticeships. FE providers have a strong infrastructure in place to receive support from the likes of Ofqual, ESFA and ifATE. But who do HEIs turn to? It’s not uncommon for HE providers to bring in Ofsted and ESFA specialists, who were not established to fulfil their needs.

Evidence of FE domination is seen in the Further Education terms trickling through to the HE world. The report even goes on to ask, “How FE do we want to become?”. Shouldn’t the question be, ” Is it right that HEIs are treated like FE providers?”

HEIs are crying out for a qualified model and specialist body who understand their needs. The move toward integrated degrees provides an even bigger demand for the industry to become more coherent.

What is the solution?

The reality is there’s an underlying issue around the support and guidance that the HE world receives. Moving forward, there needs to be a fusion between the two sectors to ensure the vast array of needs – some closely aligned and some subtly different but very important nonetheless – are met. The HE world needs a strong infrastructure to be developed to ensure it’s sustainable.

The likes of UVAC’s annual conference, which has created a space for HEIs to drive change unitedly, provide hope that things can change. Perhaps we are finally moving to a world where FE and HE work in harmony, complementing each other but with an understanding of their broad differences.

At ACE360, we think that the HE sector deserves it.

How ACE360 is supporting Higher Education Institutions

ACE360 is a revolutionary end-point assessment platform designed to help HEIs deliver and assess apprenticeships more efficiently, effectively, and cost-effectively. Our collaboration with HEIs has allowed us to address their specific concerns around assessment, progress tracking, reporting, and communication. 

To create an ACE360 account, please get in touch. Also, seek us out at the  2023 UVAC Conference  in Birmingham on the 30th of November, 2023. We look forward to talking to you about how ACE360 can further meet your needs as a HEI apprenticeship provider.

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This post was written by keith truslove.

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10 Reasons Why Further Education Makes Sense At Any Age

There’s no denying that the digital age has created a raft of employment opportunities in the job market. However, it has also meant that many people have found their existing roles have evolved, with some requiring expertise in new technologies and technology systems.

As you can imagine, it makes sense to have formal training and qualifications for many job roles these days.

One of the best pathways into a well-paid role is by having further education, either in the form of online master programs with degree qualifications, or certification in specialist and niche areas.

Did you know that there are many other reasons why it’s a good idea to have a further education, and why it makes sense to do so whether you’ve just left high school or have done so a long time ago?

Take a look at the following ten examples to see why you’re making the right decision by boosting your education:

1. You’ll Be Less Likely To Become Unemployed

One of the most significant worries that anyone will likely have is becoming unemployed. As you can imagine, having no job means you’ll find it challenging to lead a normal lifestyle, and you’d have to assume that the government can provide you with financial assistance.

Therefore, it makes better sense to be in stable employment, and one way you can almost guarantee that outcome is by investing in yourself with some further education such as a degree qualification or industry-specific certification.

2. You’ll Earn A Higher Salary

Who doesn’t want to earn lots of money? As you can appreciate, the more money you earn, the less you have to worry about things like paying your monthly household expenses and covering any emergency costs or repairs.

The trouble with leaving high school without considering any further education is you significantly diminish your chances of earning lots of money in your career.

Almost all well-paid roles advertised on the jobs market require candidates to have some formal industry training or a college education with qualifications in specific fields.

3. You’ll Feel More Confident In Yourself

One interesting point to keep in mind about further education is that you’ll feel more confident in yourself.

If you’ve got a college education or even industry certification from a vocational institution, you’ll have proved to yourself that you’re capable of achieving anything in your life.

That’s why many people who gain their first qualification or industry certification go on to pursue other further education opportunities. It’s something you could also do.

4. Competition With Other Job Applicants Is Lower

It doesn’t matter whether a commonly-available unskilled job gets advertised or a role requiring specialist skills and qualifications. There will always be people applying for all roles advertised on the job market.

The trouble is, competition can sometimes be fierce for some jobs, and employers will understandably only shortlist candidates with resumes that stand out from the crowd.

You can make yourself stand out from other applicants by pursuing a further education and having one or more qualifications and certifications.

5. You’ll Find Yourself Getting Headhunted

Imagine if you seldom had to apply for jobs because you kept getting offered them by companies looking for top talent like you? It might appear to be a dream, but it’s a reality for many people that have pursued further education – either after high school or later in life.

You’ll find that hiring managers and even CEOs from top businesses approach you because they want talent like you as part of their teams!

6. You’ll Increase Your Transferable Skills

As you know, it’s always a good idea to have a skill set that you can use in various roles and industries. Unfortunately, that won’t always be possible – at least not in-depth – if you don’t have any further education.

College degrees, industry certifications, and more will help you increase the skills that you can transfer to roles in other niches and industries – a must in today’s highly competitive job market .

7. You’ll Better Compete In Global Job Markets

It’s no secret that many people have aspirations to travel the world, take in new cultures and sights, and generally learn more about other nations. For many people, traveling the world involves saving money to go on a vacation each year.

But, what if you could travel the world as part of your work? Having a further education means you can be a viable choice for employers looking for skilled and reliable talent to grow their brands in overseas markets.

8. You’ll Learn More About Your Preferred Industry

Another reason to gain a college degree or industry certification is that you will have greater exposure to various roles within your niche, but that’s not all!

You’ll also learn more about your preferred industry, such as discovering how other industry processes interact with your role.

For example, if you have a job as an automotive engineer, you could learn about mechanical engine technology, body panel molding, robotic vehicle paint spraying , and more.

9. You’ll Feel Motivated To Expand Your Skills Set

If you have a thirst for knowledge, completing your first college degree or industry certification course will satisfy that thirst for a while. But, the fact you’ve decided to further your education and skill set means you’ll want to keep doing so.

Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that you will want to pursue other educational opportunities and highlight those qualifications and certifications on your resume. Every day is an opportunity to learn something new!

10. You Feel A Massive Sense Of Achievement

Last but not least, it makes no difference whether you’re fresh out of high school or have several decades of commercial experience. You will always feel a massive sense of achievement when you pursue further education opportunities.

In some ways you may even feel like your life has a new meaning or purpose because you’ve equipped yourself with the tools to follow your career ambitions – even if they seemed impossible to achieve before you completed your first degree or certification course!

What are the differences between a further education college and a sixth form?

Basic guide written by Jade Archer, Outreach Assistant, Make Happen 

There are roughly 90 school sixth forms, more than 200 colleges, and around 50 sixth form colleges to currently choose to study at throughout the UK.

• What do these terms actually mean?

In the UK there are three types of institutions that provide further education (FE):

• school sixth forms
• sixth form colleges
• further education colleges

Sixth forms offer a variety of A-level and BTEC qualifications and are attached to a secondary school, which is why they are often referred to as school sixth forms.

Sixth form colleges offer the same provision as a school sixth form however, they are separate from secondary schools. Unlike the latter, Further Education (FE) colleges offer a much wider variety of courses including access courses, higher education-level diplomas and often, bachelor’s degrees.

Colleges may also offer apprenticeships and other community provision. So, one way to think about it is that FE colleges are on one end of the spectrum and school sixth forms are on the other, with sixth form colleges being the middle ground.

• What the sixth form or college environment is like

School sixth forms tend to be more formal places, as the site is often shared with younger students in years 7 to 13. The learning environment in a school sixth form can therefore already be very familiar to you, particularly if you’ve stayed on at the same place where you did your GCSEs. Teachers within a school sixth form may request that the same level of formality is retained in school, and students may still address their teachers as ‘Sir’ or ‘Miss’.

FE colleges provide a different learning environment to what you were used to at school. In FE colleges there are no students below the age of 16, and because they’re open to the community, there tend to be many students who are older than 16-19 studying there. Some FE colleges even have classes later in the evening to try and suit all learners.

The environment within an FE college is generally more adult-like, where students take responsibility for themselves and their learning. FE colleges tend to be slightly more relaxed when comparing them with school sixth forms, and students usually address their teachers on a first name basis.

On the other hand, sixth form colleges can be somewhat in between a typical FE college and a school sixth form. Sixth form colleges are typically more informal than school sixth forms and they often provide a wider range of courses when compared to them too. However, they are similar to school sixth forms in the way that only students aged 16 to 19 can study there.

When looking at the size of each type of institution, FE colleges and sixth form colleges tend to be larger than school sixth forms.

• Your peer group

As previously mentioned, school sixth forms and sixth form colleges provide academic education to students who are between the ages of 16 and 19. On the contrary, FE colleges provide academic and vocational education to anyone above the age of 16 who wishes to study there. Therefore, the students around you will vary depending on the type of FE institution that you choose to study at.

Colleges may tend to be more informal, or more relaxed, but student work is more independent, and students must be self-sufficient in order to progress. At a college, you tend to meet students who are on a range of different courses which could mean that your timetables could be completely opposite, and you may only see each other two days a week.

• Available courses

One of the first things you may notice when searching FE options is that most FE colleges offer a wider range of courses when compared to school sixth forms and sixth form colleges.

Most colleges offer A-levels, similar to school sixth forms, but they also offer other qualifications at a variety of levels including vocational courses; here is a brief rundown of the levels of qualifications that are typically available at most colleges:

• Level 1: These qualifications are equivalent to GCSEs grades 3, 2 and 1 (D, E, F & G). They are basic qualifications that build confidence and provide students with essential and functional skills. Level 1 qualifications can also provide students with an introduction to a subject or area of work.
• Level 2: These qualifications can provide students with a deeper understanding of a subject or area of work and are roughly equivalent to GCSEs grades 9 to 4 (A*-C).
• Level 3: These qualifications include AS and A-levels, NVQ Level 3s, BTEC Nationals and so on. This level of qualification is required for entry into a university and employers can look for this level qualification in applicants when hiring for a technical or supervisory role.
• Level 4 to 8: These levels can also be available in a college however they are classed as Higher Education (HE) qualifications rather than FE qualifications. Qualifications at this level can include Foundation degrees, Honours degrees and Postgraduate degrees or other professional qualifications.

School sixth forms tend to offer an extensive list of A-level qualifications for students to choose from; ranging from Modern Languages to Chemistry. Students are usually required to pick 3 A-levels and one AS-level with the choice of carrying on their AS to A-levels. AS-levels are only studied for the duration of one year, whereas A-levels are studied over the course of two years. Sixth form colleges typically offer a wider range of study options than a sixth form, but these options can vary by institution.

• Timetable and term time differences

Whilst studying at school in the UK, students aren’t usually assigned free time or study time in their timetables. So, one of the first things that you may notice when looking at FE options is that timetables can vary. When studying at FE level, students are given more free periods, but the restrictions on these free periods depend on the institution itself.

FE colleges typically offer students several different study options including part-time, distance learning and full-time as well as a variety of qualification types, including academic and vocational courses; timetables for each option would look very different. Term times can also vary depending on the course and which study route you choose. For more vocational courses, such as catering and hairdressing, there is often the option of doing work placements which usually occur one day a week.

Students may find that, even on a full-time timetable at an FE college, they have several free periods in between classes, they may even have a whole day free, or be required to attend college from 8.30am to 5pm, three days a week. Your term times and weekly timetable will vary a lot depending on the qualification type that you want to study, the study route you choose, and the type of assessment that your course includes; for qualifications that require exams, your exam timetable may determine when you finish your course.

For example, if you were studying at FE level and your last exam was on 3rd May, then this could be your last day for that academic year. Sensible students would use that free time to complete coursework, assignments or revise.

School sixth forms and sixth form colleges usually offer more academic courses such as A-level Sociology and BTEC Health and Social Care. Your timetables will vary depending on what subjects you decided to study, and how many you decided to study. It is possible to start Year 12 studying four different subjects at AS-level, then you decide whether to continue with all four subjects into Year 13 as A levels or whether you drop one. The decision to drop a subject when reaching Year 13 may impact your timetable in a way that may allow you to have more free periods. School sixth form and sixth form college students usually have free periods, or even entire days free, throughout their two years of studying.

The restrictions on these free periods vary greatly, depending on the individual institutions’ rules and regulations. Sixth form colleges can tend to be more lenient with these free periods as there aren’t younger, more impressionable, students around to observe. The term ‘lenient’ in this case refers to students spending their free time whichever way they like, with no restrictions on how or where they can do this. School sixth forms can sometimes have stricter rules to follow line with the school that they’re a part of.

For example, a school sixth form may say that all free periods are spent on site, with the only exception being lunch time where sixth form students can leave the site and walk to the close amenities. Other school sixth forms may urge their students to stay in designated areas, or attend extra-curriculum activities, but it is solely down to the institution itself.

• The location

In general, FE colleges and sixth form colleges tend to be located in the middle of town or city centres. Their location, and the variety of courses they offer, make them more accessible to the wider community. Several students opt to travel further in order to study at an FE college because of the wide range of opportunities and courses that they offer.

This central location means that they are often next to bus and railway stations, as well as all the town centre amenities. On the other hand, where school sixth forms are attached to secondary schools, they are often more localised and can be found throughout villages, towns and cities. Students who attend school sixth forms are usually students who previously studied at the secondary school attached, or one that is close by. Students who attend secondary school at the institution that they also want to study their FE qualifications still need to formally apply for their place, like any other student.

• One thing to remember…

There is no wrong or right answer when it comes to deciding where to go next; every decision you make is going to be individual to you.

There are so many options to choose from, and it can be very daunting at first for anyone in your position. Most FE colleges and sixth form colleges have a dedicated careers team that is there to support, advise and guide you throughout your studies there – so make sure you check out the help available to you. School sixth forms don’t tend to have an entire team dedicated to careers, but your teachers and support staff can always offer you guidance.

Just remember to decide your next step by looking at what is right for you. It may help you to ask for support or advice from the people you are closest to such as your family and friends but remember the teachers and careers team from your school or college can also guide and support you.

If you’re thinking about completing a Higher and Degree apprenticeship, why not check out this video?

"Just remember to decide your next step by looking at what is right for you."

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Overview of the UK's further education sector

The UK boasts a diverse and wide-ranging further education sector that provides opportunities for school leavers, young adults and mature students

FE sector facts

• Further education includes study after secondary school.
• College is for people of all ages, with courses free for students aged 16 to 18.
• 1.6 million students go to college in England each year to develop their career, progress to university, engage in further education or increase their employability.

What is further education?

On GOV.UK it states that further education (FE) includes any study after secondary education that doesn't form part of an undergraduate or graduate degree.

These post-secondary school qualifications are delivered by FE, sixth form and specialist colleges that aim to provide top quality academic, technical and professional education and training for both young people and adults.

The Education and Training Foundation (ETF), the professional body for FE training and standards in England, has produced a Guide to the FE System in England .

How is the FE system structured?

According to the AoC, there are 270 colleges in the UK (June 2023):

• 225 colleges in England
• 26 in Scotland
• 13 in Wales
• 6 in Northern Ireland.

UK colleges are represented by the following organisations specific to each home nation:

• Association of Colleges (AoC) - The membership organisation representing FE, sixth form, tertiary and specialist colleges in England.
• Colleges Scotland - The collective voice of the college sector in Scotland.
• Colleges Wales - An education charity that promotes the public benefit of further education in Wales.
• Northern Ireland (NI) Direct - Oversees the two university colleges, six FE colleges and an agri-food and land-based college in NI.

Most colleges are referred to as general FE colleges, but there are a number of different types of institution.

For instance, of the 225 colleges in England:

• 158 are general FE colleges
• 44 sixth form colleges
• 11 land-based colleges
• 10 institutes of adult learning (formerly specialist designated colleges)
• two art, design and performing arts colleges.

Who are college courses aimed at?

Anyone aged 16 and over can go to college, although the AoC reported that the majority of college income for 2020/21 (£3.63billion), accounting for 55% of total spending, was focused on 16-18 education.

It's unsurprising that sixth form and general FE colleges providing qualifications at A-level standard benefit most from the funding, especially as education is still free for students in this age group.

Colleges are inclusive places to learn, with over a fifth (21%) of students studying in England in 2022/23 having indicated some form of learning difficulty and/or disability.

What FE courses can you study?

Widely available FE courses include:

• BTECs (Business and Technology Education Council)
• Higher National Certificates (HNCs)

See college courses for an overview of the main FE qualifications studied at college.

However, while these FE courses are offered by colleges rather than universities, some colleges also run undergraduate programmes.

Read our guide to undergraduate qualifications .

It was also revealed that colleges train around 1,000 apprentices, so you may wish to explore apprenticeships in more detail. You can learn more about vocational college courses at AoC - About colleges .

Can I still go on to university?

Some FE qualifications can be topped up to a full degree, so if you're thinking of going to university but still aren't sure, the course may offer credit should you choose to carry on with study after the college course.

What are the modes of study at college?

Similar to university, you can choose between full and part-time study for the majority of courses. While some will require you to spend a significant amount of time in the classroom, colleges often use a blended learning approach, with online distance learning complementing the traditional face-to-face teaching.

Online college courses, for qualifications such as A-levels and BTECs, are also very popular. This is because you'll get the opportunity to study and achieve a qualification without the need to visit the college in person. The course will typically involve interacting with tutors and other learners online through lectures, training sessions, webinars and chat forums.

Popular FE providers include the Open Study College and Online Learning College , while The Open University offers qualification options at undergraduate level and above. You can also explore free courses as signposted by the National Careers Service (NCS) .

This flexible approach to learning allows students to study at a time and place that fits in with their lifestyle, perfect if there isn't a local college accessible from your area. Read more about the benefits of online learning .

Am I eligible for student finance?

As mentioned, FE college courses are free for 16 to 18-year-olds, but for adult learners (anyone 19 and over), tuition fees are likely to be involved. Even younger students can still claim education-related costs through the government's 16 to 19 Bursary Fund .

If you're studying in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you may be able to claim for Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) .

When it comes to online learning with private course providers, you'll certainly need to pay course fees. For instance, if you're taking A-levels, you'll need to consider exam and invigilation fees as well as tuition costs, while for some courses, there's additional fees for the practical aspects of the programme.

There are a range of grants and loans offered at a local level for adult education. For example, see the booklet on Fees, finance and funding for adult learners from The Manchester College .

For undergraduate courses at college, you can consider applying for government support in the form of tuition fee and maintenance loans. Read more about student loans and finance at undergraduate level.

Can international students go to college in the UK?

International students can apply to go to college in the UK, but you'll need to have sorted out your visa first before entering the country.

As Britain has now left the European Union (EU), students from European countries will require 'settled' status under the EU Settlement Scheme to live and study here. However, in many cases, college fees are still generally quite reasonable.

The AoC has revealed that the average tuition fees for international students studying a further education qualification is £8,200 per year, with Level 3 courses proving the most popular.

As colleges are renowned for providing a pipeline for those progressing to university, a high proportion of international students choose to move on to HE courses.

They also found that as far as the international marketplace is concerned, the main drawing power in coming to the UK for FE-level study is to achieve A-levels, take English language courses and undertake teacher training .

Read more about studying in the UK at degree level.

You can also take a look at the scholarships and funding available from the British Council - and get information on how to apply to study in the UK .

Find out more

• Discover how to apply for college in the UK .
• Consider should I go to university or do an apprenticeship?
• Explore adult education .

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Definition of further education noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

• further education
• a college of further education
• distance learning
• higher education
• qualification

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• Education, training and skills
• Teaching and leadership
• Teacher training and professional development

Teach in further education

Find out how you can become a further education teacher.

Applies to England

What is further education.

Further education ( FE ) is for learners who want to:

• learn a skill or trade
• study a vocational subject
• develop their professional career
• take post-16 academic studies
• study as part of an apprenticeship
• take adult learning courses in basic English, maths and other entry level courses

As a teacher in FE you could teach a diverse set of learners, including young people and adults.

If teaching a skill or trade, you’ll spend more time in practical settings such as workshops rather than in a classroom.

Visit Teach in further education to learn how to start your journey.

How to get into FE teaching

To teach in FE , you’ll need:

• skills, knowledge and experience in your subject
• the willingness to work towards a teaching qualification (or have one already)

Ideally you’ll have industry experience. For some providers, it is preferable for you to have a relevant trade qualification, usually at level 3. You can find out more information about what qualification levels mean .

You’ll also need level 2 maths and English skills. If you do not have these qualifications, FE providers might want to assess your knowledge and skills. They may support you to improve your maths and English skills as part of your training.

It will be expected that those who train on the job or in their own time will be working towards completing either a teaching qualification or a level 5 FE teaching apprenticeship .

Train on the job

There is no specific entry path to becoming a teacher in  FE . One way is to apply for a teaching job with an  FE  provider that can support you to train on the job.

Government programmes, such as Taking Teaching Further, cover the cost of training while working as a teacher. If you are an education provider and would like to find out more about how to apply for this scheme, visit Taking Teaching Further .

You can start work as an FE teacher as soon as you can get a job with an FE provider . When you apply for a job, FE providers will look for:

• knowledge of your subject
• experience of your industry
• practical skills you’ve learnt in your career

Find a job in FE teaching .

Benefits of training on the job

This may be the best approach if:

• you want to start teaching in FE soon
• there is a suitable job available at a local college or training provider
• you do not want to pay for teacher training yourself

The provider may support you to study, for example:

• a teaching qualification
• a level 5 FE teaching apprenticeship

The qualification you work towards will be decided by your employer. Find out more about what qualification levels mean .

Train in your own time

If you prefer to train before starting a new role, you can do your teacher training in your own time around your commitments.

Once you have completed your training you can apply for any suitable jobs.

Benefits of training in your own time

• you do not want to be tied-in to any one provider once you’ve qualified
• you want to get a taste for FE before you commit to teaching in it

You may be eligible to apply for a student loan to help pay for the course fees and living expenses. Find out about student finance .

Depending on your subject, you may be able to get a tax-free bursary with your teacher training course. The value of these bursaries has increased for the 2024 to 2025 academic year.

FE teacher training bursaries are worth up to £30,000 over the length of the course. The value of the bursary depends on the subject you are training to teach.

If you are training to teach maths and your course is 2 years in length, a £30,000 bursary would amount to £15,000 per year.

A limited number of bursaries are available each year. Your course provider will let you know if you are eligible. Find out about bursaries available for 2024 to 2025 .

Where you could work

Places where FE teachers work include:

• independent training providers ( ITPs )
• adult community learning

FE is not the same as:

• secondary school, including school sixth forms

There are many types of colleges including general colleges, sixth form colleges, land-based colleges and national specialist colleges. Colleges offer a wide range of courses, both vocational and academic, and you may teach a wide variety of full-time and part-time students.

Independent training providers ( ITPs )

ITPs are typically a part of the private or charity sector, with many working closely with employers to deliver work-based courses.

Adult community learning

Adult community learning includes a range of community-based and outreach learning opportunities. This type of learning is managed and coordinated by local authorities and their partners to deliver adult education and training courses.

Some companies deliver in-house training which allows them to support their staff through their qualifications.

Courses are normally available to help prisoners gain new skills, for example learning to read and write, use computers, or do basic maths.

What you could teach

FE providers teach a huge range of courses, from social care to construction.

Often the subjects taught reflect the needs of the local economy.

The courses taught include:

• T levels (new qualifications in technical subjects, broadly equivalent to 3 A levels)
• apprenticeships
• entry level courses

Professions, vocations and trades

There are many subjects taught in FE . The best way of discovering them is to explore your local FE provider websites.

Here’s a sample list of sectors covered by  FE  teaching:

• agriculture, environment and animal care
• business, administration and office management
• catering and hospitality
• childcare and education
• construction
• creative and design
• digital and IT
• emergency and armed services
• engineering and manufacturing
• hair and beauty
• health and life sciences
• legal, finance and accounting
• sales, marketing and procurement
• social care
• transport and logistics

Academic subjects

You could teach subjects like:

• social sciences
• modern foreign languages
• art and design
• performing arts

Some FE providers require you to have a degree in the subject you want to teach.

Benefits of working in FE

FE  providers are independent employers and may offer a range of benefits, in addition to salary packages.

These may include:

• pension schemes
• childcare vouchers
• cycle to work schemes
• support with travel costs

This is not a complete list. You can find what each  FE  provider offers on their website.

FE providers like colleges and training providers can:

• set their own entry requirements in terms of qualifications or prior experience needed to teach in FE
• have their own pay structure and other terms and conditions

This means that you will need to make your own assessment of any FE provider you consider applying to work for.

Like colleges, some  ITPs  will provide teacher training on the job. ITPs may differ from colleges in other ways, and could:

• be industry or sector specific
• have a more commercial focus
• have a greater use of remote working

Working hours

A full-time  FE  teacher is typically contracted to 35 to 37 hours a week. Some teaching occurs in the evening, so the working day may vary.

Many  FE  teachers work part-time or flexible hours to fit around other commitments.

Look at job vacancies on FE job boards or providers’ websites to gain an idea of how flexible jobs in FE can be.

As an employee you are entitled to paid holidays.

Term-based holidays mean college-based  FE  teachers typically get 37 days’ paid leave per year, plus all bank holidays.

ITPs  do not usually follow academic terms, so annual leave can usually be taken at any time.

The amount of leave offered varies by provider.

Read real-life stories of current FE teachers and discover what it’s like to teach in FE .

Find a teaching qualification

Teacher training is not linked to your subject. Instead, it will help you gain the specific teaching skills you need to best share your skills, knowledge and experience with your students.

The college or training provider will arrange this for you when you start a job with them.

Teacher training courses vary by:

• minimum qualification requirements

What qualifications are available

These qualifications are good if you want to:

• complete teacher training part-time or on the job
• get a full teaching qualification

These are not the best qualifications if you want to:

• teach in secondary schools
• teach in sixth forms in secondary schools

Course structure

Typically, full-time study will involve at least 100 hours of teaching practice, including 50 in your chosen area if you are on a specialist pathway. You can do this over 1 year if studying full-time or 2 years if part-time.

Teaching status

Following the course, you will be eligible to apply for Qualified Teacher Leaning and Skills status ( QTLS ) .

This varies by provider, but is usually between £6,000 and £9,250. You can have this funded by a student loan or by your provider.

Non-teaching roles

There are many other roles in addition to teaching in FE , which includes working as a:

• teaching assistant
• learning support assistant

These sorts of jobs are advertised on FE providers’ websites, and on general job finder websites.

Where to find a job

The first place to look for a job is on your local college or training provider’s website.

Other places to look include:

• Association of Colleges job site
• FE Jobs - Further Education job site
• College Jobs
• Education Week Jobs
• FE Careers - Further Education careers site
• Times Educational Supplement ( TES ) job site
• job sites such as Indeed, TotalJobs and Reed

The Department for Education does not endorse any particular providers or job sites.

Got a question about finding a job in FE ?

Call our advisors on 0800 389 2502. Lines are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5:30pm.

If you prefer, you can email us instead at Teach. FE @education.gov.uk .

Sign up for updates and hear from current teachers on the Teach in further education website.

Updated the bursaries information for the 2024 to 2025 academic year.

Information on FE teacher training bursaries has been updated for the 2023 to 2024 academic year.

First published.

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Higher and Further Education

Historical Perspectives

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• Judith Harford 2  

Part of the book series: Springer International Handbooks of Education ((SIHE))

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Both higher education (H.E.) and further education (F.E.) are relatively recent concepts in the history of education, broad umbrella terms which capture the complex and ever-widening role and function of post-secondary education. While historically, H.E. and F.E. have operated quite independently, with little if any convergence, increasingly, the boundaries between the two fields are being tested, and their remits fused. This part of the Handbook examines the broad themes of H.E and F.E through the following lenses: Transformations to Higher Education, Higher Education Institutions Across Time and Space, Empire and Exchange in Higher Education, Students in Higher and Further Education, Women Professors and Deans, and Women Workers’ Education. Tracing the expansion of H.E. and F.E. over time, each chapter captures the historical trajectory, contextualizing key developments, and offering a historiographical and comparative analysis of the major theoretical and methodological issues and ideas.

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Harford, J. (2020). Higher and Further Education. In: Fitzgerald, T. (eds) Handbook of Historical Studies in Education. Springer International Handbooks of Education. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-2362-0_42

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Ann Coulter ’84, a controversial conservative media personality, made her return to campus on Tuesday with a talk entitled “Immigration: The Conspiracy To End America.”

Audiences largely did not disrupt Coulter. However, Prof. Monica Cornejo was arrested during the question and answer section due to disorderly behavior.

At Coulter’s last speaking appearance at Cornell in November 2022, numerous attendees protested , resulting in the removal of eight audience members and an early end to the event. 

In March, The Sun broke news of Coulter’s invitation to campus, which was spearheaded by Provost Michael Kotlikoff as an effort to allow diverse perspectives on campus during the current freedom of expression theme year . At the start of the event, Kotlikoff expressed it was important to allow Coulter to speak again — this time without interruption.

“We’re here really to correct something that happened a year and a half ago when [Coulter] who was invited by Cornell students was prevented from speaking at Cornell, something that I did not attend,” Kotlikoff said. “I wish to remind all participants that Cornell values free and open inquiry and expression and strives to create a community where diverse opinions can be expressed.”

Kotlikoff made it clear to attendees that Coulter had the right to speak without intimidation and that individuals who chose to interrupt the event would face consequences.

“Actions that prevent a speaker’s ability to be heard or the right of others to listen and see are a violation of University policy [and violators will] be referred to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards or other appropriate officials, which may lead to a notation on the conduct record or transcript,” Kotlikoff said. 

Despite Kotlikoff’s insistence that the Cornell community values freedom of expression, all attendees — including Sun reporters — were told via multiple signs outside the venue that they would not be permitted to take any audio or video recordings of the event, even for journalistic purposes.

In addition to the strict recording rules, participants had to go through multiple security checks for identification and tickets by security personnel and event staff. Participants were also required to walk through a metal detector screening to enter the venue.

Throughout the event, six Cornell University Police Department officers spread out inside the event room and additional officers guarded the hallway. Private security stood next to Coulter throughout her talk. 

Throughout her speech, Coulter expressed discontentment about the United States’ immigration policies.

“Immigration is the number one issue in the country [and] finally, people are paying attention,” Coulter said. “I’ve been giving speeches for a long time [and] I’ve never seen an issue where the public is so much on one side and the politicians so much on the other side.” 

Coulter’s initial criticism of the immigration system centered around how she perceives America as starting to resemble other countries with its influx of immigrants.

“Never in human history has a country just decided to turn itself into another country like this,” Coulter said. “No offense to Mexico — love the food — but Japan doesn’t say, ‘Hey, let’s be Australia,’ or Australia say, ‘Let’s be Sweden.’ … We’re not doing them a favor by turning ourselves into the countries [immigrants] fled.”

Coulter particularly expressed her dissatisfaction with Afghan refugees immigrating to the U.S.

“Why does every sad sack in the world have to come to this country?” Coulter questioned. “What’s the trade-off with bringing millions of people from incredibly backward cultures who do not speak the language?”

Coulter also criticized the implications of family reunification preference tracks in immigration policies. 

“Because of our family reunification policies, that blocks out other countries where we might be able to get the ones who are smarter, taller, more athletic,” Coulter said. “The pushcart operator from Pakistan who doesn’t speak his own language — nevermind ours — he gets precedence over a surgeon from Denmark.”

Sporting a shirt that read “Keep Migrants, Deport The Racists,” Prof. Monica Cornejo, communication, an undocumented immigrant, criticized the event during the questions portion.

“I’m an assistant professor of communication here, and one of those illegals that you mentioned,” Cornejo said. “I really appreciate you coming in and talking about these issues, that way I get to know how many racist people belong to this University.”

Coulter then interjected, cutting her off for not posing a question. When Cornejo responded by saying that she did have a question, Coulter retorted: “You got your chance. We’re moving on to the next question.”

Cornejo continued to shout remarks throughout the questions portion, such as “Racist,” and put up middle fingers in response to many of Coulter’s comments.

Eventually, Coulter called for Cornejo’s removal, and she was arrested by members of the CUPD on the charge of disorderly conduct. Upon her removal, Coulter called her “a child.”

When asked about her thoughts regarding her arrest, Cornejo declined to comment.

Prof. Randy Wayne, plant science, a leader in the Heterodox Academy, an organization that co-sponsored the event, said that he considered the event to be a success.

“What she [Coulter] spoke about was reasonable, evidence-based [and] clear. You could disagree with it, but it was civil,” Wayne said.

However, Derek Block ’27 said that the University inviting Coulter to speak went beyond free speech efforts.

“I think Cornell doesn’t really understand what freedom of speech is,” Block said. “There’s a difference between allowing people to speak and actively giving people a platform to promote ideas that are based not in fact and are based on hate.”

In a post-event interview with The Sun, Kotlikoff expressed that while he disagreed with many of the claims made by Coulter, he still respects her right to freedom of speech. 

“I don’t agree with Ann Coulter’s thesis about immigration, about the value of immigration to the U.S.,” Kotlikoff said. “There’s lots that I don’t agree with, but fundamentally I believe that it’s important for Cornell to be able to support diverse views — that’s what a University does.” 

When asked if the University would allow a white nationalist or neo-Nazi to speak if invited to campus by members of the Cornell community, Kotlikoff reiterated the importance of respecting free speech on campus. 

“I would support their right to speak at Cornell — I think free speech is that important,” Kotlikoff explained. “I think there are clear areas of speech that are not supported by the First Amendment [such as] incitement of violence. … Those we would shut down.”

When asked about the outcome of the event, Wayne said, “The whole audience, I think, got educated.”

ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

This article is part of the research topic.

Chatgpt and Other Generative AI Tools

ChatGPT in Higher Education: Factors Influencing ChatGPT User Satisfaction and Continued Use Intention Provisionally Accepted

• 1 Gachon University, Republic of Korea

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, represented by ChatGPT, have shown significant improvement in natural learning and problem analysis and solving, which could trigger a profound change in the education sector and have a far-reaching impact on educational practices. This study aimed to gain insights into the various impacts on users' experience when using the AI tool ChatGPT in higher education. The study analyzed questionnaire data from 328 college students who used ChatGPT. Employing structural equation modeling, this study examined the technology acceptance model in the higher educational setting to identify factors influencing continued use of ChatGPT. The results show that ChatGPT's compatibility positively affected users' perceived ease of use and that efficiency positively affected perceived usefulness. Furthermore, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness were identified as core factors affecting users' satisfaction and continued use intentions, with user satisfaction showing a significant positive effect on continued use intention. The findings not only provide new perspectives on human-computer interaction theory in higher education but also further refine the functions of current smart devices. This study will help to promote the continued progress and improvement of educational technology, while also deepening understanding of the relationship between attitude and behavior.

Keywords: ChatGPT, Technology acceptance model, Satisfaction, Continued use intention, higher education

Received: 01 Feb 2024; Accepted: 17 Apr 2024.

Copyright: © 2024 Yu, Yan and Cai. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) . The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

* Correspondence: Prof. Jinzhe Yan, Gachon University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea Mx. Na Cai, Gachon University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea

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News & Insights

Pharming Group (PHAR) Surges 7.2%: Is This an Indication of Further Gains?

April 22, 2024 — 05:29 am EDT

Written by Zacks Equity Research for Zacks  ->

Pharming Group N.V. Sponsored ADR (PHAR) shares ended the last trading session 7.2% higher at $10. The jump came on an impressive volume with a higher-than-average number of shares changing hands in the session. This compares to the stock's 15.2% loss over the past four weeks.

The sudden soaring of the stock price can be attributed to positive investor expectations regarding the performance of the company's approved products in the upcoming first-quarter 2024 earnings release. Pharming Group currently markets Ruconest and Joenja (leniolisib) for treating acute hereditary angioedema and activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta syndrome (APDS), respectively. The company is also looking to expand the eligible patient population for Joenja. Earlier this month, PHAR announced completing patient enrollment in its late-stage study evaluating leniolisib to treat children aged 4 to 11 years with APDS. A regulatory filing seeking the approval of leniolisib for this APDS patient population is expected to begin in 2025.

This company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.01 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +105.9%. Revenues are expected to be $68.43 million, up 60.9% from the year-ago quarter.

While earnings and revenue growth expectations are important in evaluating the potential strength in a stock, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

For Pharming Group, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. And a stock's price usually doesn't keep moving higher in the absence of any trend in earnings estimate revisions. So, make sure to keep an eye on PHAR going forward to see if this recent jump can turn into more strength down the road.

The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>

Pharming Group belongs to the Zacks Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry. Another stock from the same industry, Urogen Pharma (URGN), closed the last trading session 3.7% lower at $13.73. Over the past month, URGN has returned -4.6%.

Urogen Pharma's consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming report has remained unchanged over the past month at -$0.93. Compared to the company's year-ago EPS, this represents a change of +28.5%. Urogen Pharma currently boasts a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell).

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1. Medical manufacturer has gained +11,000% in the last 15 years.

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To read this article on Zacks.com click here.

Zacks Investment Research

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

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