Assessing your Options
There are lots of options to choose from at college which are more vocationally-focused. This means they relate to a specific job area, and this can help you to pursue further study or start a career in that area.
Choosing your course?
Considerations when choosing a college
1
Where are they? Think about if you like the location of the college campus? How will you travel to the college? Will you need to consider moving out?
2
What courses do they offer? Most colleges offer similar courses, but some subjects are only offered at a few of the colleges. Check on the college websites to see what courses they offer and read about what is involved. Compare the colleges to see which course you would prefer and which you like the sound of most.
3
Is there information on progression routes to university? Many people use college as a pathway into university by using the HNC or HND qualification to get into second or third year of university. Some colleges offer information on their website about progression routes, so do your research.
4
What is it like to be a student there? Colleges offer more than just the work, think about the social experiences you can gain too. What kind of facilities does the college offer? Can you join any clubs or societies? What kind of student support is in place?
5
What financial support do they offer? Have a look at our information on Student Finance. If you are a Scottish student applying for a HNC or HND you can apply to have the tuition fees cover, and you may also apply for a student loan to cover travel costs or living expenses. Some colleges offer additional support for extra funds in place so check the college website or get in touch with the college staff to find out more.
There are 9 colleges in the west of Scotland that offer a range of courses:
Argyll College
Ayrshire college
City of Glasgow College
Dumfries and Galloway College
Glasgow Clyde College
Glasgow Kelvin College
New College Lanarkshire College
South Lanarkshire College
West College Scotland
Next Steps:
Remember you can apply to as many different colleges and courses as you like. Once you have the courses in mind, you can start your application. Here is our guidance on How to Apply.