Vocational / technical school or college courses in uk: study in britain/england

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Find a vocational (job-related) course in the UK


Sections:	Vocational qualifications
	Vocational courses and career guides
	Links

Related pages:	Guide (information for all types of student)
	Language school (study English in the UK)
	University / college (1-year diploma/exchange, or undergraduate degree)
	Short courses (summer school classes)

QUALIFICATIONS

Vocational schools teach practical, job-related subjects. The most common exam-based qualifications are BTEC (Business & Technology Education Council) exams organised by EdExcel (http://www.edexcel.org.uk): BTEC First Diploma (level 2), BTEC National (level 3), HNCs (BTEC Higher National Certificates, level 4) which usually take 1 year to complete, and HNDs (BTEC Higher National Diplomas) which usually take 2 years to complete, or VCEs (Vocational Certificates of Education, either Vocational AS Levels or Vocational A Levels).

Modern Apprenticeships are a mixture of work-based training and education. There are two types: FMAs (Foundation Modern Apprenticeship, which last at least 1 year) and AMAs (Advanced Modern Apprenticeships, which last at least 2 years). NVQs (National Vocational Qualifications) or the Scottish equivalents SVQs (Scottish Vocational Qualifications) are qualifications which can be obtained while working (see: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/nvq).

For more general information about vocational education and training in the UK, see: http://www.britishcouncil.org/education/vet.
There is a UK qualifications database at the website of the UK National Reference Point for Vocational Qualifications: http://www.uknrp.org.uk.

British Vocational Qualifications: A Directory of Vocational Qualifications Available in the UK
Publisher: Kogan Page
Date: December 2004

Vocational Qualifications in the UK
Author: Department for Education & Skills
Publisher: Stationery Office Books
Date: May 2002

COURSES & CAREER GUIDES

One way to find a vocational course in the UK is to use one of these sites:
HotCourses: http://www.hotcourses.com.
Hobsons ("Springboard"): http://www.springboard.co.uk.
Floodlight (courses in London): http://www.floodlight.co.uk.

There are useful links about UK further education on the BBC site: http://www.bbc.co.uk/webguide/learning/adults

Some language schools offer English language courses which concentrate on the use of English for a particular type of work, for example "English for Tourism". For examples of the types of courses which are available, see: Course/Language.

Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) can provide information about training opportunities within a certain area of work. A list of SSCs is at: http://www.ssda.org.uk/ssda/business-skills-gaps-programmes.htm

It is a good idea to buy a career guide for your chosen industry in the UK. These books often explain about qualifications, introduce useful associations and websites (which may help you to obtain relevant work experience or a career opportunity if you are allowed to work in the UK), and contain some of the key English vocabulary which you need. The following publishers produce many careers books (some of which are listed in the industry sections below).
How To Books: http://www.howtobooks.co.uk
Kogan Page: http://www.kogan-page.co.uk
Trotman: http://www.careers-portal.co.uk

Buying a subscription to one of the trade magazines is also an excellent way to learn about the current issues within the industry and to find out about courses or jobs.

If you are already in the UK, consider going to a trade fair or recruitment fair for the industry.

The Careers and Occupational Information Centre (COIC) produce an annual guide called "Occupations": this can be a useful reference book when you are considering different career choices. You can find this in many libraries in the UK. There is an online version at: http://www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u. Each occupation is described in detail under these headings: background information, the work, work environment, skills and interests, entry requirements, training, late entry, opportunities, pay and conditions, prospects, related occupations and a list of addresses / websites / publications for further information.

- Agriculture, floristry, environment
The Sector Skills Council (SSC) is Lantra: http://www.lantra.co.uk.
There are a number of agricultural colleges in the UK.
A leading trade magazine for agriculture is Farmer's Weekly:

Working for the Environment
Author: Barbara Buffton
Publisher: How To Books
Date: December 1998

- Animals, dogs, horses

	Working with Animals Author: Alex Gough Publisher: How To Books Date: November 2000		Working with Dogs Author: Pauline Appleby Publisher: How To Books Date: March 1999
	Working with Horses Author: Jenny Morgan Publisher: How To Books Date: January 2000

- Art, design, photography, garden design
Creative & Cultural Skills is the Sector Skills Council for the arts and entertainment industries: http://www.ccskills.org.uk.

	The Art & Design Directory Publisher: Isco Careerscope Date: September 2002		Complete Guide to Art & Design Courses 2003 Publisher: Trotman Date: June 2002
	Getting into Art & Design Publisher: Trotman Date: June 2000

- Banking, insurance, finance, financial services, accountancy
The Sector Skills Council (SSC) for the financial services industry is the Financial Services Skills Council: http://www.fssc.org.uk

	Careers in Banking, Finance & Insurance Author: Paul Kingston Publisher: Kogan Page Date: May 1999		Getting into Financial Services Author: Neil Harris Publisher: Trotman Date: June 1998
	Getting into The City Author: Neil Harris Publisher: Trotman Date: June 2001		Getting into Banking & Finance Author: Simon Collins Publisher: How To Books Date: August 1998

- Beauty, hairdressing
The training organisation is HABIA (Hairdressing And Beauty Industry Authority): http://www.habia.org.
Beauty therapy (including nail work): Guild of Professional Beauty Therapists: http://www.beautyguild.com/Training
Hairdressing: among the companies providing training are Vidal Sassoon (http://www.vidalsassoon.co.uk) and Toni & Guy (http://www.toniandguy.co.uk).
A trade magazine for hairdressers is Hairdressers Journal International: http://www.qssa.co.uk/reed/default.asp?pubid=33

Careers in the Hairdressing, Beauty & Fitness Industries
Author: Loulou Brown
Publisher: Kogan Page
Date: November 2001

Getting into Beauty Therapy
Author: Joanna Grigg
Publisher: Trotman
Date: July 2002

- Business, management
For postgraduate MBA courses, see: Course/MBA
A useful resource for business education students at schools or universities is: http://www.bized.ac.uk.

Getting into Business & Management Courses
Publisher: Trotman
Date: March 2003

- Childcare
Jobs in childcare include: playgroup worker, childminder, nanny, nursery nurse, foster carer.
For details of qualifications, see CACHE (Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education): http://www.cache.org.uk
See also: Work/Job/AuPair.

Getting into Childcare
Author: Joanna Grigg
Publisher: Trotman
Date: July 2001

- Complementary therapies
Complementary therapy courses include: acupuncture, Alexander Technique, aromatherapy, Bates Method, Bowen technique, chiropractic, colour therapy, crystal healing, herbal medicine, homeopathy, hypnotherapy, iridology, kinesiology, massage, naturopathy, nutritional therapy, osteopathy, reflexology, reiki, shiatsu, spiritual healing, T'ai Chi, vibrational medicine (flower and gem remedies), yoga.
Aromatherapy (essential oil): the UK governing body is the Aromatherapy Organisations Council: http://www.aocuk.net.
Aura-Soma UK provides courses in Colour Therapy: http://www.aura-soma.net.

	Getting into Complementary Therapies Author: Laurel Alexander Publisher: Trotman Date: July 2001		Becoming a Complementary Therapist Author: Linda Wilson Publisher: How To Books Date: October 2000
	Becoming an Aromatherapist Author: Rhiannon Harris Publisher: How To Books Date: November 2000

- Computing, information technology (IT), telecommunications
The Sector Skills Council (SSC) for Information Technology, Telecommunications and Contact Centres is: http://www.e-skills.com.

Careers in Computing and IT
Author: David Yardley
Publisher: Kogan Page
Date: May 2000

Getting into IT and the Internet
Author: Neil Harris
Publisher: Trotman
Date: October 2002

- Engineering
SEMTA is the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies: http://www.semta.org.uk

Getting into Engineering
Author: Neil Harris
Publisher: Trotman
Date: June 2002

- Fashion, clothing
The Sector Skills Council (SSC) for the apparel, footwear and textiles industry is Skillfast-UK: http://www.skillfast-uk.org

Careers in Fashion
Author: Noel Chapman
Publisher: Kogan Page
Date: May 1999

- Hotels, hospitality, leisure, catering
The Sector Skills Council (SSC) for hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism is People 1st: http://www.people1st.co.uk
Useful information is contained on the site: http://www.springboarduk.org.uk.

Careers in Catering, Hotel Administration and Management
Author: Russell Joseph
Publisher: Kogan Page
Date: June 2000

Getting into Hotels & Catering
Author: Beryl Dixon
Publisher: Trotman
Date: July 2002

- Law

Careers in the Law
Author: Martin Edwards
Publisher: Kogan Page
Date: April 1998

Getting into Law
Publisher: Trotman
Date: May 2002

- Marketing, advertising
CAM (Communications Advertising and Marketing Education Foundation) exams and course centres: http://www.camfoundation.com

Careers in Marketing, Advertising & Public Relations
Author: Adela Stanley
Publisher: Kogan Page
Date: March 2003

- Media, multimedia, broadcasting, film, video
The Sector Skills Council (SSC) is Skillset: http://www.skillset.org.
To find courses in media and multimedia, see the website of the BFI (British Films Institute): http://www.bfi.org.uk/education/coursesevents/mediacourses.
There are also useful links for people interested in film-making at: http://www.britfilms.com/training.

	Careers in Television and Radio Author: Michael Selby Publisher: Kogan Page Date: September 1997		Careers in Film & Video Author: Ricki Ostrov Publisher: Kogan Page Date: July 1996
	Getting into the Media Author: Emma Caprez Publisher: Trotman Date: June 2001		Getting into Films & Television Author: Robert Angell Publisher: How To Books Date: January 2002

- Medicine, psychology, dentistry, vetinary surgeon (vet)

Dentists: NACPDE (the National Advice Centre for Postgraduate Dental Education) provides information for qualified dentists about working in the UK, clinical or specialist training, or studying for a postgraduate degree in the UK. See: http://www.rcseng.ac.uk/dental/fds/nacpde

Doctors: NACPME (the National Advice Centre for Postgraduate Medical Education) is an information service for overseas-qualified doctors who wish to train in the UK. See: http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/nacpme

	Careers in Medicine, Dentistry & Mental Health Author: Judith Humphreys, Loulou Brown Publisher: Kogan Page Date: September 2000		Getting into Psychology Publisher: Trotman Date: May 2002
	Getting into Medical School Author: Jim Burnett Publisher: Trotman Date: June 2003		Getting into Veterinary School Author: John Handley Publisher: Trotman Date: May 2001
	Getting into Dental School Authors: Joe Ruston, James Burnett Publisher: Trotman Date: May 2000

- Music, dance, performing arts, drama
The British royal colleges of music and/or drama are:
- Royal Academy of Music: http://www.ram.ac.uk.
- Royal College of Music: http://www.rcm.ac.uk.
- Royal Northern College of Music: http://www.rncm.ac.uk.
- Royal Academy of Dramatic Art: http://www.rada.org
- Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama: http://www.rsamd.ac.uk.

The National Council for Drama Training: http://www.ncdt.co.uk

	Careers in Music Author: Ruth Yockney, Mark Edgley Smith Publisher: Kogan Page Date: May 1999		Careers in the Theatre Author: Jean Richardson Publisher: Kogan Page Date: April 1998
	Getting into Performing Arts Author: Emma Caprez Publisher: Trotman Date: October 2002

- Nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, healthcare
For information about nursing, see: Work/Job/Nurse
The Sector Skills Council (SSC) for the healthcare industry is Skills for Health: http://www.skillsforhealth.org.uk

	Getting into Physiotherapy Courses Publisher: Trotman Date: June 2002		Getting into Physiotherapy Authors: Laurel Alexander, Raquel Simpson, Jane Tonkin Publisher: Trotman Date: January 2003
	Getting into Healthcare Professions Author: Laurel Alexander Publisher: Trotman Date: October 2002

- Oil, gas industry
The Sector Skills Council (SSC) for the oil and gas industry is Cogent: http://www.cogent-ssc.com. A course search is provided at: http://www.trainuk.com

- Publishing, journalism

Careers in Journalism
Author: Simon Kent
Publisher: Kogan Page
Date: September 1997

Getting into Journalism
Authors: Lorna Bartley, Verite Reily Collins
Publisher: Trotman
Date: January 2003

- Retailing
The Sector Skills Council (SSC) for retailing is Skillsmart: http://www.skillsmart.com

Getting into Retailing
Author: Joanna Grigg
Publisher: Trotman
Date: October 2002

Careers in Retailing
Author: Loulou Brown
Publisher: Kogan Page
Date: September 1997

- Secretarial & office work

Careers in Secretarial and Office Work
Author: Graham Hayward
Publisher: Kogan Page
Date: November 1995

- Social care, counselling, housing

	Careers in Social Care Author: Bernard Moss Publisher: Kogan Page Date: March 1999		Getting into Counselling Author: Jeff Riley Publisher: Trotman Date: July 2001
	Getting into Housing Author: Debby Ounstead Publisher: Trotman Date: September 2002		Learning to Counsel Authors: Jan Sutton, William Stewart Publisher: How To Books Date: July 2002

- Sport, fitness, recreation
See also: Life/Sport
CCPR (Central Council of Physical Recreation): http://www.ccpr.org.uk/education&training
The National Training Organisation is SPRITO.

	Careers in Sport Author: Louise Fyfe Publisher: Kogan Page Date: September 1998		Getting into Sport & Fitness Author: Beryl Dixon Publisher: Trotman Date: July 2002
	Sport and Recreation: Courses Leading to a Career in Sport Author: CCPR (Central Council of Physical Recreation) Publisher: Kogan Page Date: October 1997

- Teaching
See also: Work/Job/Teacher

Careers in Teaching
Author: Felicity Taylor
Publisher: Kogan Page
Date: September 1997

Getting into Teaching
Author: Nick Higgins
Publisher: Trotman
Date: January 2003

- Travel, tourism
The Sector Skills Council (SSC) for hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism is People 1st: http://www.people1st.co.uk

Careers and Jobs in Travel and Tourism
Author: Verite Reily Collins
Publisher: Kogan Page
Date: May 2004

Getting into Tourism
Publisher: Trotman
Date: July 1999

- Voluntary sector
See also: Work/Job/Volunteer

Getting into the Voluntary Sector
Author: Verite Reily Collins
Publisher: Trotman
Date: June 2000

Working in the Voluntary Sector
Author: Craig Brown
Publisher: How To Books
Date: September 2002

LINKS

Using an education travel agent: Prepare/Agent
The cost of living in the UK: Prepare/Cost
UK immigration issues: Prepare/Visa
Guide to British towns: Travel/Tours/UK

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