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BRITISH UNIVERSITIES and colleges offer a range of 'higher education' courses.
Higher education refers to studying for qualifications such as Diplomas of Higher
Education (Dip HEs), bachelor's degrees and (at postgraduate level) Master's degrees, MBAs and PhDs.
Students taking higher education courses are usually aged 18 and over (17 in Scotland).
Courses last from one to four years and students may choose to stay on as postgraduates
into their early 20s. An increasing number of 'mature' students are also choosing
to start their undergraduate studies post-21 usually after having worked for a few
years.
A wide-range of courses are on offer, with content and modes of study (full-time, part-time, flexibly, or via distance
learning) varying from institution to institution.
Students can choose to study different courses depending on their preferences (or
career goals), so if they enjoy studying art and politics, for example, they can
probably apply for a combined course covering both subjects.
Many courses take place in universities, but plenty are also taught at higher education
colleges, specialist art institutions and agricultural colleges. (Our Uni. finder
pages list all universities and further education colleges that offer higher education
courses.)
The main purposes of higher education are:
• to enable people to develop their capabilities and fulfil their potential, both
personally and at work;
• to advance knowledge and understanding through scholarship and research;
• to contribute to an economically successful and culturally diverse nation.
UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) will work with students, the funding councils
and sector and local bodies to achieve these aims.
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