Advice
Where Can I Go For Help?
No Qualifications?
Even if you have no formal qualifications, you may still be able to access higher education. Many courses allow entrance based upon APEL or APL.
APEL (Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning) – APEL allows learners who do not have the necessary entry requirements for a course to gain entry via past experience gained in the workplace, through voluntary work, leisure activities and other life experiences.
To gain APEL, you must demonstrate that you have the required skills for entry to your chosen course.
APL (Accreditation of Prior Learning) – APL allows you to gain credit for higher education qualifications that you have previously completed. You may also be able to get credit for qualifications that you only have partially completed.
Not only can APEL and APL help you gain entry to a higher education course, it can also give you credit towards completing it.
Where to go for help
Face to Face
You can contact an institution directly to arrange a face to face meeting with one of their members of staff.
If you are aged 19 and under, Connexions provides impartial information, advice and guidance that can help you get to higher education. To find your nearest Connexions office, log on to:
Telephone Advice
If you do not have any formal qualifications, the Careers Advice Service can help.
Please call 0800 100 900 to speak to an adviser, or go to http://careersadvice.direct.gov.uk/ for more information.
Other useful websites/contacts
There are other websites that can provide you with useful advice and information about study related matters such as finance, how to apply for student loans and lots more.
UCAS – offers information for students, parents, advisors and HE staff ranging from the application process to financial help to study.
Directgov - a website offering information about a wide range of public services. If you’re interested in education, training or a particular career click on the link.
Connexions Greater Manchester - a career and advice service for young people in Greater Manchester aged 13-19.
Careers Advice Service - offers free independent careers advice, information about skills, qualifications and work-based e-learning programmes. If you prefer you can phone an adviser on 0800 100 900 (free phone).
If you want to explore different jobs/careers you can visit the following websites:
Prospects – this is a graduate careers website. For further inforamtion, go to www.prospects.ac.uk