Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) are work-related, or vocational, higher education qualifications. They are Level 5 qualifications.
What are HNCs and HNDs?
HNCs and HNDs focus on 'learning  by doing' and give skills that you can use in a particular job. They are highly valued by employers and can also count towards membership of professional bodies and other employer organisations. More...

If you want to gain a qualification that is recognised across the UK, but don't feel ready for GCSEs or equal qualifications, or you haven't studied in a long time, an Entry Level qualification could be for you. They are available in a wide range of subjects. More...

Qualifications: what the different levels mean
Different types of qualifications are grouped together into various 'levels'. This can help you and employers to see how different qualifications compare and how one type can lead on to another. More …
Essential Skills
If you need help with reading, writing, working with numbers or using a computer an Essential Skills course may help you. More …
Entry level qualifications
If you want to gain a qualification that is recognised across the UK, but don't feel ready for GCSEs or equivalent qualifications, an Entry Level Certificate could be for you. They are available in a wide range of subjects. More …
GCSEs
GCSEs are the main qualification taken by 14 to 16-year-olds, but are available to anyone who would like to study a subject that interests them. You can take GCSEs in a wide range of academic and 'applied' or work-related subjects. More …
Key Skills qualifications
If you want to acquire or develop the skills to help you get on at school, FE college, work or home, or show what you already know, a Key Skills qualification could be for you. More …
AS and A levels
If you want to study a particular subject in detail, AS and A level qualifications may be for you. They are highly valued by schools, colleges and employers. More …
BTECs, OCR Nationals and other vocational qualifications
If you want to learn more about a particular job or area of work, there are many vocational qualifications you can choose from, like BTEC qualifications and OCR Nationals. More …
Higher National Certificates and Diplomas
Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) are work-related, or vocational, higher education qualifications. They are Level 5 qualifications. More …
Foundation Degrees
A Foundation degree is a higher education qualification which combines academic and work related learning and offers a route into employment or university and is a way to improve your skills. More …
Postgraduate qualifications
If you want to continue your studies after a bachelor's degree, or learn more about a particular subject, there are a range of postgraduate qualifications available. Some are linked to a specific profession, while others allow you to complete an original piece of research. More …
NVQs
If you want to get a recognised qualification related to a particular industry or sector, a National Vocational Qualification, or NVQ, may be for you. You can study NVQs at work, FE college, or as part of an apprenticeship. More …
Qualification and Credit Framework
Vocational qualifications on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) are work-related qualifications. They are designed to allow you to learn in a way that suits you, and give you the skills that employers are looking for. There are lots to choose from, in a wide range of subjects. More...

As well as traditional A levels, there are other qualifications that can get you into higher education. Universities and colleges may also take your work experience into account.
Part-time courses and Foundation degrees
For part-time courses, check the university or college prospectus - most are now available online. The UCAS website gives details of part-time and full-time Foundation degrees.

• Foundation degrees
• University prospectuses and open days
• Diploma in Foundation Studies (Art and Design, and Art, Design Media (UCAS website).
  

Many courses in literacy and numeracy are free, and you may not have to pay for tuition if you’re going for your first qualification equivalent to GCSEs or A levels. There’s a wider range of free courses available if you’re on income-related benefits, and there are opportunities for everyone to learn for free online.
Learning for free at work
Many employers are keen for their staff to develop new skills, and may offer free training relevant to your job - for example through an Apprenticeship, Training for Success scheme or Bridge to Employment. If you’re looking to get back into work, you may be able to take part in the Steps 2 Success or other programmes for unemployed people.

• Training and learning for work
• Apprenticeships
• Training for Success
• Bridge to Employment for Jobseekers
• Steps 2 Success. More...
  

Need career inspiration? Get free, impartial advice from the Careers Service

• Careers Service Northern Ireland

Your skills, your future

Need career inspiration? Get free, impartial advice from the Careers Service

• Careers Service Northern Ireland

Your skills, your future

The strategy seeks to effectively join up actions being taken across the Executive to ensure that our young people’s needs are identified and matched with opportunities to meet those needs. It was developed to help those young people who face barriers to participation and introduces a number of new initiatives within the context of wider existing and developing programmes of intervention to tackle youth unemployment.
A NEET Advisory Group has been established to improve the co-ordination of activity across the stakeholders involved in implementing the ‘Pathways to Success’ Strategy. 

Further information on the Strategy, the new initiatives and the NEET Advisory Group can be accessed using the links below:

• Pathways to Success Strategy (PDF 1.11MB)
• Collaboration and Innovation Fund
• Community Family Support Programme
• Pathways for Young People - Education Maintenance Allowance (nidirect website) 
• NEET Advisory Group (Press Release NI Executive website) . More...

Higher Education Policy Branch has been working with our colleagues in England to agree on future developments with in the Higher Education quality assurance system.
Consultation on the future of the quality assurance method
A key part of this work involves the development of a new institutional audit method to apply from 2011-12. This is being taken forward by the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL NI), Higher Education Funding Council of England (HEFCE), Universities UK (UUK) and Guild HE, but the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), Association of Colleges and NUS are also closely involved. These organisations published a consultation on the future of the quality assurance method , which ran from December 2009 to March 2010.
briefing from HEFCE, DEL (NI), UUK and GuildHE. More...

The aim of the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) is to develop and sustain a Higher Education research sector that holds a strong position within the UK and beyond and makes a major contribution to economic and social well-being.
Research funding
The Department provides research funding for the Northern Ireland universities through a range of mechanisms. The majority of year on year or recurrent research funding is distributed by reference to quality as assessed by performance in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). (New arrangements are currently being developed by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), in partnership with the other UK Higher Education (HE) funding bodies, for the next assessment of research performance, the Research Excellence Framework (REF)). This is known as Quality-related Research (QR) funding and is used to cover the essential costs necessary to carry out research.

• recurrent research funding
• Research Assessment Exercise (RAE)
• Research Excellence Framework (REF)
• Quality-related Research (QR)

The Department provides capital funding for research through the Higher Education Research Capital fund, previously known as the Research Capital investment Fund (RCIF)and prior to that the Science Research Investment Fund (SRIF). It also operated the Support Programme for University Research (SPUR), an initiative unique to Northern Ireland which directed funding towards interdisciplinary research activity capable of competing at the highest international levels.

• capital funding for research
• Support Programme for University Research (SPUR)

The universities also apply for funding to cover the direct costs of specific research projects from the Research Councils, along with other funders such as industry, charities, government departments and the European Union. More...