Fife College is leading the way for local students looking for a cost and time-effective way to get the degree they want.
Studying for a degree can seem like a daunting task. After all, you may need to move away from home, or face a long commute. You may discover that the course you’ve opted for isn’t right for you after a year or two and have to leave without a qualification. Or you may simply not want to commit to a full-time four-year course.
But that does not mean a degree is out of reach. By studying with Fife College, you can take much of the stress and uncertainty out of your degree course.
There are many reasons to study for your degree at Fife College and here are our top five.
Gain qualifications throughout your studies
By starting your degree at Fife College with an HNC and HND, you can gain qualifications after successfully completing each stage of the course. At the end of year one, you will have achieved an HNC, and at the end of year two, an HND.
This means that you could take a break from studying if a job opportunity comes along and you will still have recognised qualifications in the bag.
It also means that if you decide to change direction in your studies, you can do so with a qualification in your back pocket – something you wouldn’t have if you’d went straight to uni.
Study locally
Going to university may mean moving home, or having a long commute before you start your day studying.
But you can study either for your full degree or the first two years of your degree with Fife College. This is cheaper and more convenient for most students – especially those with other family or personal commitments to consider.
The smaller class sizes and increased contact time at college will allow you to develop your independent study and research skills in a supportive environment. Some courses also give you the opportunity to do a work placement as a part of the qualification giving you real life work experience while you study.
Go straight into 3rd year at university
Studying at Fife College is the best preparation for moving on to a degree at university. With our many partnership agreements with universities throughout the country, you could progress straight to third year at university when you’ve completed a relevant HND.
Universities endorse the college route and readily welcome students with appropriate qualifications from college. Some of our agreements with universities even guarantee a number of our students a place on degree courses at university.
Together with our partner universities across Scotland and the UK, we offer progression routes to a variety of degree courses. Some of our agreements with universities even guarantee a number of our students a place on degree courses at university.
Save money
Being able to study locally means that you are also able to avoid a lot of the costs associated with getting a degree.
Because Fife College gives you the opportunity to study at least the first two years of your degree in Dunfermline, Glenrothes, or Kirkcaldy – and even your full Ordinary or Honours degree with us in some instances – you won’t have to worry about the cost of moving from home or commuting long distances.
Not only could your study, living, and travel costs be lower studying at Fife College but, if you’re planning to study part-time, you may also be eligible for a part-time fee grant towards the cost of your tuition fees.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for a non-repayable bursary and, if not, you still have the option of taking out a student loan for financial support.
You’ll still be a uni student
Studying for your degree at Fife College means that you’ll be become an Associate Student of the university that awards the degree.
Being an Associate Student means that you could potentially attend some university events and lectures, have access to university library facilities and the chance to experience a university culture whilst studying at college.
In addition, summer school and work experience or placements may be available. There are slight differences in the schemes offered by universities – you will be given information about these differences at the beginning of your HN course and you can sign up where applicable.
