Higher education, any of various types of education given in postsecondary institutions of learning and usually affording, at the end of a course of study, a named degree, diploma, or certificate of higher studies. Higher-educational institutions include not only universities and colleges but also various professional schools that provide preparation in such fields as law, theology, medicine, business, music, and art. Higher education also includes teacher-training schools, junior colleges, and institutes of technology. The basic entrance requirement for most higher-educational institutions is the completion of secondary education, and the usual entrance age is about 18 years.
Position of Higher Education within Educational Cooperation Areas
- Pre-school Education
- Primary Education
- Secondary Education
- Higher Education
Roles of Higher Education
- Development of Human Resources Necessary for Economic and Social Development
- Creation and Diffusion of Knowledge
- Development of a Healthy Civil Society and Cultivating Social Cohesion
Environment Surrounding Higher Education
- Transition from an Industrial Society to a Knowledge Society
- Globalization of Society, Economy and Information
- Rising Demand for Higher Education
- Changes in the Political and Social Environment of Developing Countries
Current Situation and Issues in Higher Education
- Enrollment Expansion and Gaps between Groups
- Limited Financial Resources
- Declining Quality
- Diversified Needs
Higher Education Qualifications
The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) contains descriptions of all the main higher education qualifications. Higher education qualifications mainly relate to levels 4 – 8 of the FHEQ. The main qualifications are:
- Postgraduate qualifications
- Bachelor’s degrees
- Higher National Certificates (HNC) and Higher National Diplomas (HND)
- Foundation degrees
- Certificates and other academic awards granted by a university or higher education college (but not honorary degrees and higher doctorates
- Qualifications: what the different levels mean
Research your career
Choosing what career is right for you is an opportunity to look at what kind of person you are, what kind of life you want and how you can achieve your goals in the real world.
Before making any career decisions it may be helpful to research the following areas to help you decide on your potential career direction:
- Skills and entry requirements
- Future options with your subjects/qualifications
- Vacancies that employers find hard to fill
- Where jobs are advertised (local or abroad)
- Skills in demand – where the jobs are now and likely to be in the future
