Flexible University Level Study
Discover a range of flexible study options at a higher level at Oaklands to help achieve your goals.
We offer a wide range of university level employment-focused courses, and are proud to be partnered with the University of Hertfordshire.
Higher level study is changing with new Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) coming through focused around growth employment sectors. Find out more about these and other routes to succeed in your chosen career.
Discover our university level courses
Why Higher Skills Courses at Oaklands?
Flexible, affordable university level study
Our range of higher skills courses gives you a level of flexibility, tutor access and value for money which can’t be equalled by the traditional three year university experience.
Studying at Oaklands gets you the qualifications which will allow you to enter or progress in your career of choice, continue to a further university level qualification or progress to a university to top-up to a full degree.
You may already know about the three year university degree, but many people are confused about what university level study in college is really all about. So here’s our guide.
What are higher skills and what can I study?
Higher Skills at Oaklands are university level courses which result in qualifications at Level 4 or above. We offer a range of different pathways for higher level study:
HTQs are technical qualifications that employers have helped develop so students get the right training and skills needed to succeed at work, and they have been designed to meet new occupational standards for the relevant sectors. There are several different types of HTQs, such as:
- Higher National Diplomas (HND)
- Higher National Certificates (HNC)
HTQs are Level 4 and 5 qualifications that have been approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education. They are a great route for those who have studied T Levels at college. This year, Oaklands College will be offering HTQs in Engineering, IT, Sport (Community Coaching) and Construction, with other subjects to come over the coming years.
Higher National Certificates (HNCs) are Level 4 qualifications, equivalent to the first year of a university degree. Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) are Level 5 qualifications, matching the second year of a university degree.
These advanced qualifications emphasise industry-specific skills and are highly regarded by employers as a credible alternative to traditional university education.
HNCs and HNDs are primarily assessed through assignments, projects, and practical tasks completed throughout the course, rather than exams. They are designed to prepare students directly for a career in industry or for further university study.
These programmes offer a preparatory year at Oaklands, enabling you to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills you need to progress to the first year of a variety of undergraduate subject related degree courses at the University of Hertfordshire.
We also offer Access to HE which are Level 3 / A Level equivalent and specifically designed for people who don’t quite have the qualifications they need for direct entry to Higher Education at this stage.
We offer English and maths for those who need to get to the required standard.
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