College courses
If you're looking to study a further education (FE) qualification, both in-person and online college courses are available across all subjects, providing entry routes into a range of careers as well as a pathway to university
What subjects can I study at college?
FE colleges deliver a variety of courses for school leavers aged 16 and over through to adults of all ages. With a range of academic and vocational qualifications available, there are options for people at different stages in their careers.
The following Level 3 qualifications are some of the most popular choices for those looking to move from secondary school to further study, or learn skills for their first job. However, many can also be studied by those who've already gained some work experience.
A-levels
Usually taken after your GCSEs, although there's no age limit to studying A-levels, these academic courses are the most common route to university.
You'll typically choose three subjects to study full time over two years, with options ranging from maths and English literature to media studies, psychology and sport.
Read more about studying A-levels at college.
T Levels
These two-year qualifications for 16 to 19-year-olds in England have been created in collaboration with employers.
Equivalent to achieving three A-levels, T Levels are practical courses that combine classroom learning with an extended industry placement.
Some examples of courses include:
- digital production, design and development
- health
- onsite construction.
Explore T Level courses.
BTEC diplomas
BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council) diplomas, which have no fixed age limit, are another popular alternative to A-levels. These specialist work-related qualifications combine subject and theory content with practical learning.
More than 2,000 courses are available across many areas, such as:
- business
- childcare
- media
- sport.
They're ideal if you're interested in a particular industry but aren't sure what job you'd like to do.
Discover more about BTEC diplomas.
What about studying higher education (HE) courses at college?
According to the Association of Colleges (AoC) report, FE institutions in England are responsible for delivering:
- 80% of Higher National Certificates (HNCs)
- 53% of Higher National Diplomas (HNDs)
- 61% of foundation degrees.
In addition, the AoC has revealed that 100,000 people are studying HE courses at college, with 149 institutions currently registered with the Office for Students (OfS) for providing undergraduate and/or postgraduate courses.
While Level 6 Bachelors degrees are the most popular undergraduate option overall, you can study other qualifications at HE level, including courses at Levels 4 and 5.
Discover how these courses compare with each other by viewing our comprehensive guide to undergraduate qualifications.
HNC qualifications
Equivalent to the first year of a Bachelors degree, these short-term vocational courses can be completed within one year.
They allow you to specialise in a particular subject area, preparing you for the workplace or further study. HNCs can be topped up to an HND or may be used to gain entry onto the second year of a Bachelors degree.
Popular options include:
- agriculture
- building and construction
- electrical and electronic engineering.
Consider studying an HNC course.
Foundation degrees
Focused on building essential skills for a particular profession, and equivalent to two-thirds of a full undergraduate degree, these courses usually last for two years.
You can gain credit by having commercial/industrial experience rather than formal qualifications.
They can lead to careers in:
- education
- nursing
- social work
- sport.
Find out more about foundation degrees.
HND courses
A vocational two-year qualification equivalent to the second year of a university degree that can give you the hands-on skills needed for certain professions, such as:
- accounting
- business
- computer science
- design
- hospitality.
If you decide you want to achieve a full Bachelors degree, completing an HND can often provide a pathway into the final year of a university programme.
Read more about HNDs.
What about apprenticeships at college?
For programmes below degree level, it's common for apprentices to study at an FE college while benefitting from the training that's provided by their employer.
The AoC's report showed that, in 2022/23, colleges in England were responsible for:
- 48,100 apprentices studying at intermediate level
- 77,900 at advanced level
- 40,500 at higher level.
There was an even split in terms of apprentice ages, with 103,600 between 16 and 18 and 102,500 over 19.
The research also found that colleges are responsible for training nearly two-thirds (59%) of all construction apprentices and over a third (36%) of engineering and manufacturing apprentices.
If you're interested in doing an apprenticeship, explore opportunities in your preferred job sector and see what's available at each level.
Get the lowdown on apprenticeships and discover how to apply.
Can I still go on to study at university?
Yes, many of those who study college qualifications choose to continue their education at university.
If you decide to go down this route, get help on choosing the right degree.
You can also explore what career graduates usually pursue after completing their course at what can I do with my degree?
If you don't meet the entry requirements for undergraduate study, which typically include A-levels, you could complete an Access to HE Diploma at college.
Even if you plan to study an undergraduate course at college rather than university, you'll still need to apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
Familiarise yourself with the application process at how to apply for university.
Are adult learning courses available at FE colleges?
Yes. From skills bootcamps to studying a new language or taking your GCSEs as a mature student, there are plenty of options for adults looking to continue their education or change careers.
To get the full picture of the range of courses available and discover whether you're eligible for financial support, see adult education.
Can I study an online college course?
If you're primarily concerned with seeking out distance learning options due to your other work or personal commitments, online college courses are available through local colleges.
Types of online college courses
Most FE colleges offer a selection of online programmes, from short, bite-sized courses to full qualifications.
You can study the following:
- Certificate programmes - develop in-demand skills and learn at your own pace with courses accredited by universities and industry bodies. Read about online IT courses.
- Practical vocational courses - young people and adults can gain skills in key areas such as accounting, business, health, digital and personal development.
As well as the above, you can also learn for fun. Indeed, if you want to try a new hobby, you'll find courses in many subjects, including:
- art
- creative writing
- photography
- video editing.
How to find an online college course
In addition to the websites of local colleges, online courses are also offered by dedicated learning providers, such as:
- (banking and finance)
You can search for both in-person and online college courses by visiting the .
If you're interested in studying for an online degree, you can do this through .
Read more about online learning in general and explore microcredentials.
Are there any free online college courses?
As well as qualifications you'll have to pay for, you can also find free courses paid for by the government by visiting .
Short online courses are also available from and FutureLearn.
Find out more
- Get an overview of the UK's FE sector.
- Discover how to apply for college in the UK.
- Explore alternatives to university.