University Level Courses - Study in the UK

highbury collegeuniversity levelmake highbury yourgateway to successHighbury College offers a genuine alternative touniversity. Our courses are career focused, high quality,local and affordable.Options include full-time Foundation Degrees, HNC andHND Diplomas, part-time professional qualifications,teacher training and an award-winning fast-trackjournalism diploma accredited by the NCTJ.We have partnerships with the Universities ofPortsmouth, Sussex and Westminster, who validate ourFoundation Degrees, and work closely with businessesand industry to ensure our courses equip you with thecore skills valued by employers.contentsMake Highbury your gateway to success 3Boost your employment prospects 4First-class facilities and support 6University level courses 7Student success 8Our strong focus on employability andwork-related learning, and our highlyexperienced lecturers mean that you willbenefit from high academic standards,excellent teaching and a first-classlearning experience that will help you inyour chosen career.All our courses have been developedin collaboration with employers toensure that you gain the skills you needto succeed. Our Foundation Degreesinclude substantial work placementsof up to 22 weeks, providing you withmany opportunities to develop youremployability skills and career prospects.At Highbury College you will learn ina stimulating, supportive atmosphere.We are committed to equality for allstudents and aim to provide the rightteaching, facilities and support toenable you to achieve the skills andqualifications you need to succeed.How to apply 9Portsmouth – the waterfront city 10Ten reasons to chooseHighbury1. High academic standards2. Career-focused courses3. Work-related placements4. Competitive tuition fees5. Small class sizes6. Close links with employers7. Supportive staff8. Friendly atmosphere9. Fantastic facilities10. Seaside, city location“Highbury Collegeoffers high-qualityuniversity levelcourses.”Telephone (023) 9238 3131 Email info@highbury.ac.uk www.highbury.ac.uk3

move on upboost your employmentprospectsAt Highbury you learn by doing. Activities includelive projects commissioned by employers, groupwork to build your team skills, work shadowing,industry visits and frequent guest lectures.close employer engagementThe College has recognised links with industry forspecific training needs, which include:• UniBond Centre of Excellence• Cisco Networking Academy• Microsoft IT Academy• Associated Company for CompTIA• IMI Automotive Technician Approved Centre• Institution of Mechanical Engineers• Institution of Engineering and Technology• NCTJ Best Performing Fast-Track NewspaperJournalism Course4 Telephone (023) 9238 3131 Email info@highbury.ac.uk www.highbury.ac.uk

highbury collegeuniversity levelAll our courses have been designedin partnership with industry andprofessional bodies to give you theskills you need for work and furtherstudy. Highbury lecturers have extensiveindustry experience and maintain closelinks with employers to ensure coursesare relevant and up to date.Most courses, full- and part-time, includean assessed personal and professionaldevelopment unit to give you the skills,knowledge, and professionalism thatare valued in the modern workplace.We also provide volunteering activitiesthrough our Leadership Academy towiden your career options and promoteSubstantial work placements enterprise and entrepreneurshipthrough sessions on setting up your ownOur full-time courses includebusiness and an enterprise competitionsubstantial work placements so youjudged by external business people.can gain relevant work experience.Highbury’s Foundation Degrees in High academic standardsHospitality Management and Travel and Our emphasis on practical learningTourism Management, for instance, is complemented by high academicinclude a 22-week work placement, standards. The combination of academicwhich can be anywhere in the world. and vocational skills you acquire atStudents on our Foundation Degree Highbury will enable you to make anin Computer Networking recentlyimmediate contribution in employment.developed their technical and customerYou can be assured that you willservice skills by installing a computerleave your course with the up-to-datenetwork at a nearby country park.skills and knowledge that industryOur strong links with employersand the professions look for in theiralso provide you with opportunities employees. In addition, you will havefor employment. A number of ouropportunitythe academic credits that can formstudents are offered full-time work as part of your future lifelong learning.a result of their work placements.“You can be assured that youwill leave your course withthe up-to-date skills andknowledge that industryand the professions lookfor in their employees.”Telephone (023) 9238 3131 Email info@highbury.ac.uk www.highbury.ac.uk5

flexibility first-class facilities and supportAt Highbury we believe that students learn best inoutstanding colleges.“We offer the best instudent support frominitial enquiries through tograduation and beyond.”No matter what course or training youundertake, you are certain to benefitfrom the College’s teaching and learningresources, which were judged to behigh quality in the Quality AssuranceAgency’s 2010 review of our universitylevel courses.The facilities at Highbury Collegeinclude Mac- and PC-equippedclassrooms with the latest audiovisualequipment, a lecture theatre,specialist computer training rooms,a fully-equipped media studio, amodern performance theatre, hair andbeauty salons and a sports centre.A major feature of Highbury City ofPortsmouth Centre (HCPC), situatedin the heart of Portsmouth, is thattraining takes place in real-life workenvironments. Facilities at HCPCinclude industry-standard kitchens, atraining restaurant, open to the public, asimulated aeroplane cabin, dentistry andhealthcare suites and a nursery.The College’s Library service has adedicated area for higher educationstudents, who have access to 35,000printed titles, e-books, magazines, CDromsand DVDs. You will also benefitfrom wireless technology for personallaptops, free access to the internetincluding web-based email, advice onhow to research and make the most ofinformation resources, and the latestPCs and Apple Macs.AccommodationThe College has its own on-site Hallsof Residence with 75 study bedroomsused by international and highereducation students. The cost per weekis £75 (2011/12 rates) and studentshave commented very favourablyon the size and quality of the rooms.Other options include a shared house,or staying with a host family. Pleasecontact us if you would like to discussyour accommodation needs.Supporting you at every stepHighbury is committed to equalityfor all students, including those withdisabilities or learning difficulties. We aimto provide the right support to enableyou to benefit from your studies.We offer the best in student supportfrom initial enquiries through tograduation and beyond. Supportincludes impartial careers guidanceand course information, counsellingand learning support. We willalso help with career planning,writing CVs and applicationsand preparing for interviews.Assistance is available for all aspects offinancial guidance, including applying forstudent loans and career developmentloans and help with accessing the fullrange of grants and benefits, includingchildcare.6Telephone (023) 9238 3131 Email info@highbury.ac.uk www.highbury.ac.uk

highbury collegeuniversity leveluniversity level coursesHighbury’s higher education courses are idealfor anyone who wants to gain a degree-levelqualification locally, contain their debt and enhancetheir career prospects. A range of full- and parttimecourses is available, including FoundationDegrees, HNC and HND Diplomas and professionalqualifications.Qualifications at a glanceFoundation DegreesFoundation Degrees are vocational higher education qualificationsthat combine academic and work-based learning. They can bestudied full- or part-time and are designed with the help of employers.Foundation Degrees are equivalent to the first two years of an HonoursDegree and can be taken as a stand-alone qualification or uponcompletion you can ‘top up’ to the final year of an Honours Degree.Entry requirements: You will normally be over 18 years and havesuccessfully passed a relevant course at FE Level 3 (BTEC, A Level,Access to HE) with a pass/merit profile, and have the appropriatetechnical ability in writing, speaking and reading English. The typical offerfor A Level applicants is 120 UCAS tariff points. The College welcomesapplications from mature students without these qualifications whomay benefit from an HE programme of study (subject to interview).HNC and HND DiplomasHNC Diplomas are studied over one year, making them ideal for anyonewho is unable to attend a full‐time course. HNC Diplomas are highlyvalued by employers and can often lead directly to employment. Ifcompleted with high grades the HNC Diploma can be ‘topped up’ toan HND Diploma, which can lead to the third year of a degree.Entry requirements: You should have either qualifications and/orexperience that are considered to give a reasonable chance of successon the course, or an appropriate National Certificate or National Diploma.You will need to possess a good standard of English and Mathematics.Professional qualificationsProfessional courses are studied part-time and include NationalVocational Qualifications (NVQs), the Certificate in Education (CTLLS)and Professional Certificate in Education (DTLLS) and professionaldevelopment qualifications related to specific industries. Most professionalqualifications take between one and two years to complete.Entry requirements: Requirements for professional qualifications varydepending on the course, although you will be expected to possess a goodstandard of literacy and numeracy. To take a university level NVQ you willgenerally be employed at a managerial or supervisory position in the workplace.“No matter what course youundertake, you are certainto benefit from the College’sworld‐class facilities.”Telephone (023) 9238 3131 Email info@highbury.ac.uk www.highbury.ac.uk7

student successNatalie BeadsworthNatalie Beadsworth took a Higher NationalCertificate in Mechanical Engineering at HighburyCollege as part of her Advanced Apprenticeship withthe satellite technology company EADS Astrium.I took the course part-time, which allowed me toobtain hands-on experience at Astrium where I’vebeen learning about everything from calculating howmuch it costs to launch a satellite to learning about the chemicalsused to send it into space.The course itself was a mix of practical work and assignments thatgave me the theoretical background I needed to develop my skills inthe workplace.Ayo AdegboyeAyo Adegboye came to Highbury because hewanted to take a Foundation Degree in ComputerNetworking at a local college.The Foundation Degree in Computer Networkingwas the perfect course for me as it gave me a lot ofhands-on experience, especially in the Cisco Academylab, which has been really valuable. I liked the factthat I could study close to home and I found that the staff at Highburywere very helpful and encouraged me to aim high.While I was at Highbury I was offered work experience updating theCollege website and plasma screens. This helped to improve myknowledge and also boosted my confidence in dealing with people onthe phone and in person.I graduated from Highbury in 2010 and moved on to PortsmouthUniversity to take the third year of a BSc (Hons) in Computer NetworkManagement and Design.I feel that the Foundation Degree I achieved at Highbury will help meas it has given me so much practical experience alongside the theory.Brendan SoleBrendan Sole progressed to a Foundation Degree inTravel & Tourism Management at Highbury Collegeafter taking a Level 3 Resort Rep course.I chose Highbury because it was the only college inthe area that offered a Travel & Tourism course atdegree level. The course was fantastic because it wasso practical – I knew I was actually learning the skillsI’d need in the workplace.A major part of my course was a 22-week work placement. I chose todo this at the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth. This led to me obtaininga full-time position as Banqueting Manager at the Spinnaker, whichI’m really enjoying.I’m also topping up my Foundation Degree to a BA (Hons) HospitalityManagement with Tourism at the University of Portsmouth. It’s beengreat to obtain a degree level qualification locally and it’s even betterthat my course helped me to find a good job.In the time my friends at school have taken to do their degrees, I’vemanaged to go into education and get what I need from it, work for abrilliant company and get so much experience in different areas. AndI’m not in debt.Sarah-Jane RogersAlexandra SageSarah-Jane is a Corporal in the Queen Alexandra’sRoyal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC) andalready had a Preparing to Teach in the LifelongLearning Sector (PTLLS) qualification so wasable to go straight on to the second year of theCertificate in Further and Higher Education.I’ve found studying at Highbury really useful. Inthe Army we have a specific way of doing thingsbut the Cert Ed has provided me with a fresh perspective, whichis more student-centred and enables trainees to think more forthemselves. Taking the Cert Ed has given me a real taste for teachingand learning. Once I’ve finished my period of military service I’dlike to study for an English Degree and teach in a primary school.Alexandra Sage originally read history at UniversityCollege London, and later gained a diploma in lawat the London College of Law and practised as asolicitor for seven years before she decided it wastime to pursue her passion for writing and enrolledon the 20 week fast-track journalism course atHighbury College.The journalism course at Highbury is accredited bythe National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and has anexcellent reputation. The course covered the essentials of journalismincluding news writing and shorthand as well as newer aspects like‘blogging’ and writing for the Internet.The highlights for me were achieving 100 words per minute inshorthand, and 95% in the exam on central government earningme the Oxford University Press Public Affairs Award, which I waspresented with at the NCTJ’s annual public affairs seminar in Londonin September 2010.The journalism course was very intense and extremely challenging butI enjoyed it immensely. I cannot believe how much I learned over sucha short space of time.8 Telephone (023) 9238 3131 Email info@highbury.ac.uk www.highbury.ac.uk

highbury collegeuniversity levelhow to applyapplyFull-time university level coursesApplication for Foundation Degreesis through the Universities & CollegesAdmissions Service (UCAS). You canapply to UCAS electronically usingthe web-based online applicationprocedure at www.ucas.com.International students can alsoapply for Foundation Degrees directto the College if they prefer.When you apply online you will needthe following information: Institutionname: Highbury College: Institutioncode: H39. Should you have anyproblems with your online applicationplease contact UCAS directly byphone: 0871 468 0468,or email: enquiries@ucas.ac.uk.Once UCAS receives your applicationyou will be sent a letter of confirmation.We will then contact you to arrange aninterview at Highbury College. If you aresuccessful, we will offer you a place onyour chosen course.Higher National Certificates,part-time or short coursesYou can apply online atwww.highbury.ac.uk/applynowfor Higher National Certificates, or apart-time or short course.Alternatively contact Highbury’sAdvice Centre on (023) 9238 3131 oremail info@highbury.ac.uk to requestan application form.Once we have received your applicationwe will invite you to attend an interview.If you are successful, we will offer you aplace on your chosen course.FinanceTuition fees will vary according to whatcourse you are studying. Loans andgrants may be available to help coverthe costs of your course and yourliving expenses.You may be eligible for a student loanfor tuition fees, which is paid directlyto the College, and a student loan tohelp pay for living expenses. Studentsmay also be eligible for a maintenancegrant. Professional and CareerDevelopment Loans may be availableto help you retrain for a new career. TheGovernment pays your interest whileyou study and repayments start onceyou’ve left your course.Students from the EUEU students face the same costs asHome students and, depending oncircumstances, may also receive helpwith tuition fees and the cost of living.DirectgovThe quickest and easiest way for Homeand EU students to obtain funding is toapply online. Visit www.direct.gov.ukand select Education and learning,followed by University and highereducation. Follow the instructions onthe website to register and apply. Youwill also find lots more information at theDirectgov website, including informationfor students with children, disabledstudents and loan repayments.International studentsInternational students will usuallyhave to pay higher fees than Home/EU students but may also be able toreceive help with funding. The bestsource of information about this can befound on the website for the UK Councilfor International Student Affairs. Visitwww.ukcisa.org.uk and select Feesand funding, followed by Sources offunding for your studies.Student Support ServicesIf you have any further queries aboutfunding your university level courseat Highbury next year, please contactStudent Support Services on(023) 9238 3131. Alternatively, youcan email info@highbury.ac.uk.We look forward to hearingfrom you.Telephone (023) 9238 3131 Email info@highbury.ac.uk www.highbury.ac.uk9

uniqueportsmouth –the waterfront city“The city’s music sceneis thriving with manylive music venues andbig name bands playingat the PortsmouthGuildhall.“Sun, sea and sand – and shops!Portsmouth is a vibrant city and has much to offer interms of entertainment and culture. There are plentyof bars and clubs, as well as numerous opportunitiesfor shopping and entertainment.Music and nightlifeThe city’s music scene is thriving, withmany live music venues. Big namebands and other touring attractionsplay at the Portsmouth Guildhall.Independent acts and comedy can beenjoyed at the Wedgewood Rooms inSouthsea. Guildhall Walk is the place togo clubbing and Gunwharf Quays is apopular spot for nightlife. You will find adiverse range of restaurants and pubsin the Albert Road and Palmerston Roadareas of Southsea.Culture and historyPortsmouth is the current headquartersof the British Navy, and has a hugeharbour packed with naval craft of everyimaginable type, from Tudor warshipsand 19th-century gunboats to SecondWorld War submarines and modernaircraft carriers. One of its most famousattractions is the Historic Dockyard,home to the world famous warshipsHMS Victory and the remains of KingHenry VIII’s favourite ship The Mary Rose.ShoppingThere are some great shopping areasin Portsmouth, including GunwharfQuays, the city’s landmark waterfrontdevelopment, which has over65 designer outlet stores, as wellas bars, restaurants and a cinema.Southsea’s Palmerston Road hasa wide range of shops, includingindependent outlets, departmentstores and high street names.Spinnaker TowerIn 2004 the city skyline wastransformed by the iconic170 metre‐high Spinnaker Tower. Fromthe Crow’s Nest at its top you havestunning views of Portsmouth Harbour,the south coast and the Isle of Wight.Sport and leisurePortsmouth has much to offer sportsenthusiasts. There are plenty ofopportunities to learn sailing, yachting,powerboating, windsurfing, canoeingand kayaking. Portsmouth is also anideal destination for football enthusiastsas it is home to Portsmouth FootballClub (PFC) proud winners of the 2008FA Cup. PFC is known for its greatatmosphere and passionate fans.Further afieldPortsmouth’s location, in southernEngland, is ideal for easy access –being only 100km (60 miles) fromLondon and half an hour from thenearest international airport. MainlandEurope is within easy reach by ferry,as Portsmouth is one of Britain’sbest-connected ports. Closer to home,Brighton, Winchester and the Isle ofWight are nearby.Portsmouth is also on the doorstepof the South Downs National Park,which has a beautiful landscape,diverse wildlife and a fascinatingcultural heritage. Nearby is England’sJurassic Coast, 150km (95 miles) ofwild beaches, sheer cliffs and stunningrock formations. This UNESCO WorldHeritage site is famous for its geologyand fossil finds.HMS Victory10 Telephone (023) 9238 3131 Email info@highbury.ac.uk www.highbury.ac.uk

fast factsour mission: to enable all our students to succeed• Our student success rates make us one of the topgeneral further education colleges in England.• The UK government’s Office for Standards inEducation (Ofsted) has judged Highbury to beGrade 1 Outstanding.• Highbury College is the largest college inPortsmouth and one of the largest colleges in theSouth East of England.• In 2009 we completed a £54 million redevelopmentprogramme.• Highbury’s Foundation Degrees are validatedby the Universities of Portsmouth, Sussex andWestminster.• In 2013 we will have been educating people for50 years.• Highbury currently has over 11,000 students, 25% ofwhom study full-time and 75% part-time.• Students from more than 100 countries currentlystudy at Highbury.• Highbury has regular student exchanges withcolleges in France, Germany and Israel.• The College works closely with local, regional,national and international businesses, offeringtraining solutions to more than 800 employers.

Highbury CollegePortsmouth, Hants PO6 2SAtel: (023) 9238 3131email: info@highbury.ac.ukwww.highbury.ac.uk