HE in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin
The main HE providers in the area are listed below. For full details of courses, prospective students should talk to the College or University direct.
Alternatively talk to a Connexions Advisor (for young people) or the Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin nextstep service (for adults). Telephone numbers available in the contacts section.
Aimhigher
You can get further information on accessing HE from the Aimhigher website (www.aimhigher.ac.uk)
The Aimhigher service seeks to:
- offer an effective and extensively used entry point that enables prospective students to seek information about higher education institutions and courses.
- offer information and assurance on financial matters to students entering higher education, specifically information about financial support and advice.
- help widen participation in UK higher education – and particularly among students from non-traditional backgrounds, minority groups and disabled persons.
What is Higher Education?
Higher Education (or HE) is a general term used to describe a wide range of courses including first degrees (BScs, BAs etc); BTEC / Edexcel Higher National Certificates and Diplomas (HNDs, HNCs), postgraduate qualifications and professional level courses.
Many HE courses are studied full time at universities and university colleges, while for others Part Time or ‘distance learning’ is used. Some institutions like the Open University specialise in distance learning, while increasingly Further Education colleges work in partnership with Universities to provide courses away from the university campus.
Often HE courses can be undertaken in smaller parts each offering a credit, which can contribute towards a University Certificate, Diploma or Degree. One of the latest HE qualifications to appear is the Foundation Degree, which can be studied full or part-time.
Main Routes into Higher Education
There are many different ways into Higher Education.
The most common are:
• ‘A’ levels
• Edexcel (BTEC) National Qualifications
• Professional Qualifications
• Access Courses
There are no hard and fast rules that cover entry to HE courses. For adults, there may be no formal requirements for entry to part time HE courses.
Prospective students should talk to the university or college offering the course.
Higher Education and Money
Almost all HE courses will involve a tuition fee payable to the university or college running the programme. For full time and some part time courses there is also the matter of funding for living expenses.
Anyone thinking about full time Degrees, HNDs or Diplomas of HE, as well as Postgraduate Certificates of Education should contact the Shropshire Student Support Office (0845 678 9000). They will be able to provide details of possible help with tuition fees as well as access to student loans and disability, dependants and childcare grants. They will also have details of assistance (loans and disability allowances) for part time students.
Funding for assistance with course fees or other costs for many courses is not easy to come by, but there may be help available from
Research Councils – for postgraduate or higher degrees
Sponsorship from employers or the armed forces
Trade Union support from the National Health Service for specific courses
Charitable trusts
Colleges with ‘Access’ funds or ‘hardship’ funds – contact specific university or college for further details
There is also the possibility of a Career Development Loan for some professional and vocational courses.
PROVIDERS OF HE IN SHROPSHIRE, TELFORD & WREKIN
Harper Adams University College (www.harper-adams.ac.uk)
Edgmond
Newport
TF10 8NB
Tel: 01952 820280
Walford and North Shropshire College (www.wnsc.ac.uk)
Shrewsbury Road
Oswestry
SY11 4QB
Tel: 01691 688000
Shrewsbury College of Arts & Technology with Staffordshire University
(SURF) (www.shrewsbury.ac.uk)
London Road
Shrewsbury
SY2 6PR
Tel: 01743 342 342
University of Wolverhampton in Shropshire (www.wlv.ac.uk)
Telford Campus
Priorslee
Telford
TF2 9NT
Tel: 01902 323900
Telford College of Arts and Technology (www.tcat.ac.uk)
Haybridge Road
Wellington
Telford
TF1 2NP
Tel: 01952 642 200
New College (www.newcollegetelford.ac.uk)
King Street
Wellington
Telford
TF1 4NY
Tel: 01952 641892