Higher Education at South Thames
Higher Education (HE) describes university-level qualifications, for example Degrees or Higher National Certificates or Diplomas. Going straight to uni is not ideal for everyone. If you are worried about getting a University place, or about the cost of going to University, then think about starting your path to a degree at South Thames College.
Wide range of courses
We offer a wide range of courses in a number of areas based on government and industry priorities, so your qualification will help you in employment as well as enabling you to progress to many degree top-up courses at university.Our HNCs and HNDs have a stronger work-related emphasis than many degrees.
HNC Computing
HND Computing and Systems Development
HNC Business
HND Business
HNC Media Production (Sound and Vision)
HNC Music Production
HNC Construction
HNC Graphic Design
HNC Hair and Beauty Management
Subjects include: Quality in Management; Science of Human Anatomy and Physiology, Salon and Sales Management, Reflexology, Indian Head Massage, Aromatherapy; Managing the Creation of a Hair Style.
HNC Health and Social Care
Subjects include: Communicating in Health and Social Care Organisations, Health and Safety, Personal and Professional Development, Psychology, Sociology, Physiology, Safeguarding, Managing Human Resources, Managing Financial Resources in Health and Social Care.
HNC in Sport
Subjects include: Marketing Principles; Operating and Managing a Sport and Leisure Facility; Customer Service; Applied Sports Coaching; Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Wellbeing; Injury Prevention and Treatment
We also offer a qualification that leads towards teaching in the Lifelong Learning sector or a PGCE: DTLLS/PGCE
Five advantages of Higher Education at South Thames College
1. Get a qualification after each year of study
HNCs and HNDs at South Thames College allow you to work your way to a degree, gaining valuable qualifications at the end of each year. Make every year count. Usually, you complete your HNC in the first year, HND in a second year and then you can progress onto the second or final year of a degree with many universities.
2. Affordable
Fees for 2012/13 have yet to be confirmed but our HNCs and HNDs cost substantially less than universities are charging. You also avoid many of the costs involved in studying away from home. You may be entitled to a fees grant to help with the cost of tuition. Find out more here, or www.direct.gov.uk for more details.
3. Flexible
Our courses are usually about 13 hours a week of tuition time, though you will also have tutorials, group work and personal projects to work on. You may still be able to manage a part-time job to help with yourcosts and living expenses.
4. Valued by employers
You may decide to go straight into work when you achieve your qualification. Employers value the practical nature of HNC/Ds in getting people ready for work. These qualifications have been around a long time, so employers understand them.
5. Individual attention
Class sizes are generally small so you get more individual attention. Many lectures at universities have more than a hundred students whereas ours have around 20.
Partner Universities and Student Services
Partner Universities
You can be sure that the quality of teaching you receive is of the highest standard. Most of our staff are educated to masters level or above. We work with partner universities such as Kingston University, London South Bank University, Christ Church Canterbury University and these associations ensure high academic standards so our provision can hold its own against other Higher Education providers all over the country.
Support services
Of course you also benefit from the support systems in place at South Thames as one of London's largest Further Education colleges. For example, we offer substantial advice, guidance and learner support services - click here for details
We also offer extensive support to learners with additional needs and disabled HE students can apply for Disabled Students' Allowance