Why study for your higher qualification at The College of North West London?

The table below shows you the level of your qualification, and where the Higher Education qualifications available at The College of North West London sit within the qualification framework in England. Many employers want their employees to have skills at these higher levels, and by studying at The College of North West London you can:

• Study full-time in a local environment, close to your home and reducing costs
• Study while you work – we work closely with employers to make sure that you develop skills that industry require
• Study in an environment with excellent vocational facilities, taught by practitioners who have all worked in industry
• Have the support of the college to help you achieve, tutoring and individual support
• Earn while you learn
• Study part time ( on many programmes) so that you can balance home and work with your studies

How will I know if the courses are right for me?
All of our courses have detailed information sheets which will tell you about the course. You are also welcome to attend one of our Open Days, and drop into our Course Information Centre at our Willesden Site. You can speak to an Adviser on 020 8208 5050. At interviews with the tutor you will have the opportunity to seek further clarification on the right course and level that suits your needs as well as your qualifications and experience. We welcome applications from a wide range of people; it may be that your work experience will equip you to benefit from one of our Higher Education Courses, but if you are not yet quite ready to undertake a Higher Level programme, we have a wide range of programmes at Level 3, as well as specially designed bridging courses in some cases which will give you the skills, confidence and entry qualifications for Higher Level study.

How do I apply?
Each course has information on how to apply. For some you can apply direct to the College, and for others you need to apply via UCAS.

What is a Foundation Degree?
Foundation Degrees are designed in partnership with employers and are work related degrees. Our Foundation Degrees are validated by Universities we are affiliated to. They can lead directly into work or into the third year of an Honours degree. Foundation Degrees are equivalent to a BSc or BA without honours. They are designed in partnership with employers, and they contain studies and course work which develops and assesses the skills you need to succeed in the workplace. They are ideally designed for people who want a degree to develop their chosen career. The degree is awarded by the validating University and you will be able to progress to achieve a full Honours degree.

What is an HND/HNC?
Higher National Diplomas and Certificates are widely-recognised qualifications which are more practical in content than the traditional university degree – although they also require academic study. The qualification which is awarded by EDEXCEL (BTEC) involve two years’ of full-time study for an HND or two years of part time study for an HNC. They also provide the chance to progress to university degree programmes.

What is a Year 0 of Honours Degree?
The Year 0 programme is a years study to equip the student with the skills and knowledge to enable to them to enter, and be successful on an Honours degree programme. The Year 0 Science programme at The College of North West London is validated by Middlesex University and will allow you to apply for a number of BSc programmes at Middlesex University upon successful completion.