HIGHER EDUCATION REMINDER AS UCAS DEADLINE IS EXTENDED

Prospective students of higher education programmes at North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire (NWSLC) are being reminded to focus on their UCAS applications as the deadline for submissions is extended against the backdrop of restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

This week, UCAS extended the deadline for all higher education applications by two weeks from 15 January to Friday, 29 January 2021 at 6pm. The extension has been put in place to allow extra time for prospective students to finalise their research and choice of course or provider, and to obtain a reference from their school or college tutor.

NWSLC offers higher education programmes in around 20 different subject routes including Higher National qualifications (HNCs and HNDs), Foundation degrees, BAs and higher apprenticeships at its Nuneaton, Hinckley and Wigston Campuses and at the MIRA Technology Institute.

Although the extension applies to everyone, prospective students are advised not to delay the process of completing their application and are urged to submit it to UCAS as soon as possible. The extension is simply designed to allow more time for those who need it for logistical reasons. College guidance advisors are on hand to help and provide advice or assistance UCAS applications.

Carrie-Anne Abdulai, Director of Higher Education and Access to HE at NWSLC said, “Colleges can represent a more practical alternative to going away to universities and enable people to keep costs down by studying closer to home. The average distance between the home postcode and the learning location for college undergraduates is 15 miles, compared with 53 miles for those attending a university.

“Our course fees are much lower than those of universities with the cost of a full-time HND just £5,950 per year. We also offer the opportunity to convert the qualification into a degree with one further year of study on some programmes. In addition, some courses can be followed on a part-time basis allowing the flexibility to combine work and study or manage family commitments.

“We have careers in mind when we approach the design of our courses, and students are taught by industry experts with plenty of experience in their fields including engineering, creative arts, media and design, business, computing, travel and tourism, sports, health and social care and teacher training. Employability skills are at the heart of what we teach, and we place great emphasis on guiding students towards exciting and fulfilling careers.

“HE courses at the College are usually taught in small groups with a focus on nurturing and support so people who would not normally follow the HE route can feel assured of getting all the attention they need. Our Access to HE courses are ideal for people who are returning to study or those not quite ready for university and these are also offered on an affordable and flexible basis.

“Quality is never compromised and we work with a number of partners including Coventry University, University of Warwick and University of West London. The College’s provision has been certified by the Quality Assurance Agency and the Office for Students.”

Results from the latest National Student Survey (NSS) show that nine out of ten students are satisfied with their experience of higher education at NWSLC.