The UK means the
Education UK is managed by
British Council
United Kingdom and
78, Kanna Road, Kyautada Township, Rangoon,
consists of England,
Burma
Scotland, Wales (Great Britain) and Northern Ireland.
Map out your future Studying in the UK for further education qualifications
T + 95 1 254658, 256290, 256291 F + 95 1 245345 education.enquiries@mm.britishcouncil.org www.educationuk.org/burma
www.educationuk.org/burma
No matter what qualifications you currently have, you can find a course that will allow you to get a foot on the educational ladder.
Why study further education qualifications in the UK? The UK’s long standing tradition of excellence is recognised throughout the world. Further education qualifications are accredited by internationally recognised awarding bodies regulated by the UK government. Therefore, qualifications gained in the UK are regarded as a passport to success for the many overseas students who pass through the country’s further education colleges every year. Further education can provide a step up, giving access to higher education. For examples, A-levels, BTEC National Diplomas and NVQs are recognised and respected all over the world – If you’d like to progress to higher education in the UK, you’ll be able to apply with qualifications that will give you the best possible chance of being accepted onto your first choice of course and institution. If you plan to go straight into the workplace, you’ll be doing so with respected qualifications that will give you an edge over the competition.
Courses in further education colleges are inspected by government inspection agencies, which means that the high quality of the course customers choose can be guaranteed. 1
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The style of UK further education is unique, involving high levels of personal contact and support from tutors, and plenty of scope for independent learning – high success rates and low drop-out rates among international students stem directly from programmes of closely supervised study in an intellectually and culturally stimulating environment. Many career-based qualifications mean
UK education system is very flexible
that you don’t have to take professional
enabling you to study academic and
exams, so you’ll be making a real start
vocational courses side-by-side (such
in your career before you even
as a vocational computer qualification
graduate. Many vocational courses also
alongside an AS- or A-level in
include work placements, giving you an
mathematics or economics), learn a
insight into working practices and
vocational skill alongside English
experience that will get you off to a
language classes, or prepare for
running start.
university whilst also improving your
What can I study? The further education system in the UK is geared to satisfying a diverse range of needs. Students are able to take general academic courses or vocational, work-based courses, or a combination of both. The academic and the work-based training route can both lead to qualifications that meet the entry requirements for degrees and other higher education courses. Courses can last for up to two years (three with a sandwich placement in industry), and you can choose from thousands of opportunities in science and technology, computing and business, art and design, social sciences, the humanities and many others. Students who want to develop skills and knowledge and also gain a qualification in a specific work area can do so with work-based courses.
The broad range and flexible approach of the UK education system allows students to choose the course and qualifications that will suit them best.
IELTS score. This way you can be sure Career-based and pre-university
that your time is being used in the most
qualifications are available in many
effective way for you.
subject areas, including Engineering, Health and Social Care, Travel and Tourism, Science, Computing and Art and Design, so you can start to build a foundation for your future from the moment you arrive in the UK. 3
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BTEC National Award, Certificate or
of your first year and A level
Higher National Certificate (HNC) or
Diploma
qualifications at the end of your second.
Diploma (HND)
BTEC Nationals are one or two-year
An AS level qualification is the
Higher National Certificates and
courses in career-related subjects such
equivalent of 50 per cent of an A level.
Diplomas are one- and two-year
as e-business, engineering, art and
In both AS and A level course work
career-related higher education
design, media, performing arts,
accounts for between 20 and 30 per
courses, which are equivalent to the
agriculture, applied science, computing
cent of the marks, with the remainder
first stages of a degree. They are
and health and social care. They are
being assessed by examination. For
available in many areas including
ideal for students hoping to progress to
further information on these courses
engineering, sports studies, art and
a career at supervisory or technician
see www.dfes.gov.uk/qualifications
design, media and communications and music technology. Successful
level, and also provide a foundation for higher education courses in the same
Foundation Degrees (FdA, FdSc etc)
subject area. For more details see
Foundation Degrees are two-year
www.edexcel.org.uk
career-related higher education courses, which are equivalent to the
AS and A levels
first stages of a degree. They are
AS and A levels are the UK qualifications
available in many areas, including art
most widely accepted for entry to
and design, media and communications,
university. They are available in subjects
engineering and hospitality
from the humanities, arts, sciences and
management, and can be used as a
social sciences as well as in practical
good foundation for a career or as a
subjects such as engineering, leisure
basis from which to progress on to a
and tourism. You will study up to four
degree course. For more information
subjects simultaneously over two years,
see www.foundationdegree.org.uk
taking AS level examinations at the end
completion will allow you to enter a career at junior management level and from many courses you can ‘top-up’ to a degree by transferring into the second or third year of the degree course. For more information see www.educationuk.org/burma/ Your study options/Career-based and pre-university study University International Foundation Year University International Foundation Year courses help to bridge any gaps between qualifications you hold already and the ones you need to begin a degree course at a UK university, Photographer: Paul Dodds / www.scotlandistheplace.com
whether this is because you need to improve your English language skills, your academic qualifications, or both.
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What qualifications will I need?
Qualifications and equivalents BTEC National Diploma
Good general high school education equivalent to four GCSEs
AS/A-levels
Good general high school education equivalent to five GCSEs
grades A-C, plus IELTS 4.5-5.0
grades A-C, plus IELTS 4.5-5.0 International Foundation Year
Twelve years of school education or equivalent in your own country, plus IELTS 4.5-5.0
HND
Qualifications equivalent to one or two UK A-levels or a BTEC National Diploma or an international foundation year, plus IELTS 5.5-6.0
Foundation Degree
Qualifications equivalent to one or two UK A-levels or a BTEC National Diploma or an international foundation year. Plus IELTS 5.5-6.0
How much will it cost? UK career-based and pre-university course fees can vary considerably between institutions, but the figures below show approximately what you’ll need to pay.
Average course fees The qualifications you’ll need will
The course profiles on
depend on the course you want to
www.educationuk.org/burma will give
study. Some qualifications such as
you the exact entry requirements for
A-levels and BTEC National Diplomas are
each course. The following will give
below university level and lead directly
you an idea of the sort of qualifications
onto higher education while others such
you will need:
as HNDs and Foundation Degrees, are
AS- and A-levels:
£4,000 - £8,000 per year
BTECs and other vocational:
£4,000 - £6,000 per year
HNC/HNDs:
£5,000 - £10,000 per year
Foundation Degrees:
£7,000 - £12,000 per year
International Foundation Courses:
£4,000 - £12,000 per year
university-level qualifications that will enable you to join a degree course in the second or third year.
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Costs for individual courses are given in the course profiles on www.educationuk.org/burma.
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How will I know if I’ve chosen a good college? Part of the reason that UK career-based
You can find a list of all UK
and pre-university qualifications are so
qualifications accredited by the QCA on
highly valued across the world is the
the Open Qualifications website at
strict measures of quality imposed on
www.openquals.org.uk
them. Many of the checks and reports are available online, so you’ll never be
The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA)
left in any doubt about the validity and
ensures that UK higher education is of a
quality of the course you choose.
standard that’s respected and admired across the world. Further details can
The Qualification and Curriculum
be found at www.qaa.ac.uk
Authority (QCA) maintains and develops the National Curriculum and associated
Where can I find more information? British Council Education Information www.educationuk.org/burma Foundation Degrees www.foundationdegree.org.uk City and Guilds www.city-and-guilds.co.uk International Foundation Programme Scotland
assessments, tests and examinations,
www.studyinscotland.co.uk
and accredits and monitors qualifications in colleges and at work.
Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
Further details can be found at
www.sqa.org.uk
www.qca.org.uk
Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)
How and when do I apply? For course at further education level,
Many colleges offer some flexibility on
contact the institution of your choice
start dates, with a choice of September
and ask for an application form. For
or January entry. However, it depends
HNDs/HNCs and Foundation Degrees,
on the course and you should always
contact the institution and ask if you
contact the institution of your choice
need to apply through the Universities
for details.
www.ucas.com London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCIEB) www.lccieb.com Edexcel Foundation www.edexcel.org.uk
and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
In making a decision, the college will consider your background, interests
With the exception of applications via
and abilities and will treat your
UCAS there are no national closing
application on its individual merits.
dates for applications to career-based
Once you have accepted a place, the
courses but you will need to leave
college will send you a letter confirming
yourself enough time to apply for a visa,
this.
make travel arrangements and arrange accommodation.
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