STUDY A DEGREE-LEVEL QUALIFICATION
We are proud to offer a broad range of creative and industry-focused higher education courses.
Studying at a higher level (up to degree level) at college through our higher education courses is a great way to further your studies, whether you are returning to study, continuing after college, or studying alongside work, and it is extremely cost-effective!
What’s more, after completing a Foundation Degree or an HTQ-HND as part of our higher education courses, you can progress to university to complete the final year of your study. In some areas, you can complete your full degree at HSDC!
Our UAL Professional Diploma courses also qualify as the first year of a creative degree with certain partner universities, and these courses are FREE to those under 19 years old.
TOP REASONS FOR STUDYING AT HSDC
SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS ON FEES
- Our fees are lower than the traditional university route
- Full access to tuition fee loans via Student Finance England
- You may have access to additional travel and financial support
LOCAL AND FLEXIBLE STUDY
- Most of our courses take place one day a week, fitting around your home life
- Study whilst being able to continue working
- Flexible timetabling allows more time for additional industry placements and professional
development - Save money on accommodation costs
HIGH QUALITY TEACHING AND SUPPORT
- Small class sizes – approximately 15 students in each class
- High quality tutor support and guidance from our expert lecturers, helping you progress and excel
- Taught by expert lecturers – you will gain the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your chosen career
- Our specialist teaching staff all have experience in their fields and embed years of knowledge into all of their teaching
LINKS TO LOCAL EMPLOYERS
- We work with a number of employers to develop a professional and technically focused curriculum particularly resulting from our membership of the South Coast Institute of Technology
- Opportunities for employment, work experience and mentoring, networking events and guest speakers
AWARDED BY REPUTABLE UNIVERSITIES – ACCREDITATION AND LINKS
- Our course curriculum is provided, supported and awarded by highly regarded universities such as University of Portsmouth, University of the Arts London and University of Chichester
- You’ll have access to their on-site facilities, enrichment and resources
- Once you’ve completed your qualification at HSDC, you will have the opportunity to top-up your qualification to a full degree thanks to our links and partnerships with a range of universities
GREAT ON-CAMPUS FACILITIES
- We offer a wide range of facilities and resources which will equip you to gain your qualification, as well as car parking, children’s nursery, gym, salons and restaurants
- Support with finance, healthy living and wellbeing, to make their time with us an enjoyable one
We offer degree-level qualifications in a wide range of subject areas:
Business & Engineering
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Creative Industries – UAL Professional Diploma Courses
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Education & Childcare
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Health & Social Care
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Our Professional Diploma and Higher Education courses range from Level 4 (HNC and UAL Professional Diplomas), Level 5 (HND) and Level 6 (Full BA Degree).
These courses are normally studied after achieving Level 3 qualifications, however applicants who have relevant work experience are also welcome to apply. Please see specific course requirements for your chosen subject in our course finder.
UAL Professional Diplomas
All of our Creative Arts courses are accredited by the University of the Arts London (UAL) Awarding Body, and through our various partnerships can qualify as the first year of a Bachelor’s degree. UAL is the leading provider for creative and performing arts courses and a specialist for the creative industry.
These courses are free to students under 19 years old, or you can apply for an adult learner loan.
HTQ – HNC/HND Qualifications
Higher Technical Qualification (HTQs) are Level 4 or 5 qualifications that are developed in collaboration with employers. They can include higher national certificates (HNCs), and higher national diplomas (HNDs) that have been quality marked by IfATE to indicate their alignment to employer-led occupational standards.
HTQs courses are equivalent to the first (HTQ-HNC) and second (HTQ-HND) year of a university Bachelor’s degree. Each are qualifications in their own right and having a Higher Education qualification can significantly improve your career opportunities. Once you have completed your course you’ll also have the opportunity to top up your qualification to a full degree thanks to our links and partnerships with a range of universities. Our annual course fees for HTQ-HNCs and HTQ-HNDs are less than a full Degree.
Foundation Degree
A Foundation Degree is the equivalent to the first two years of a Bachelor’s Degree. Designed in consultation with employers, this focuses on developing the skills sought after in a working environment. Because of this, it is ideal for those who are seeking progression into employment or are wishing to further their current career. Equally, upon completion, you also have the opportunity to top up your qualification to an undergraduate degree.
BA (Hons)
With two of our courses you can gain a full BA (Hons) Degree. This is exactly the same qualification you would get if you were attending a traditional university. On completion of the course, you can then progress on to employment or a Master’s level qualification.
The South Coast Institute of Technology is a collaborative partnership between leading colleges, universities, and employers working closely to build robust talent pipelines for the maritime, engineering and digital sectors along the South Coast. By identifying both immediate and future skills gaps, we have designed a wide range of cutting edge technical courses tailored to equip you with the knowledge, practical skills, and hands-on experience required to excel in your chosen career path.
When you choose a course bearing the South Coast Institute of Technology logo, you’re not just enrolling in an educational programme – you’re embarking on a learning journey tailored to meet the specific needs of local industries, ensuring that your skills are in high demand. You will benefit from access to industry-standard facilities, state-of-the-art technology and high quality technical education.
By studying with us, you’ll be part of a dynamic and forward-thinking network of institutions committed to shaping the future of technical education and addressing local workforce needs of today and tomorrow.
Read more about the programme and how we are investing in our facilities and courses.
Whether you’re aspiring to pursue a new career, or want to continue your professional development within your current job role, our Higher Education courses allow you to progress onto your chosen destination.
University and Progression Agreements
All of our courses enable progression onto a Level 6 (Top-Up) course at local and national universities. We have also established progression agreements with local universities, including Solent University Southampton, allowing students to move seamlessly onto the next level of a degree programme.
Suitably qualified HSDC students are able to progress to designated university undergraduate degree programmes, and the qualifications they have earned at HSDC will count toward their Bachelor’s degree requirements.
Employment
Students benefit from our industry links and networking opportunities, which enhance their professional development. Many of our students advance within employment after studying with us, whether this is progressing into management roles in their current employment or seeking new exciting opportunities within their chosen sector.
Degree Apprenticeships
Some students have also moved into degree Apprenticeships, furthering their learning within the workplace.
All of our higher education courses cost substantially less than studying at a traditional university and you will still qualify for a student loan from Student Finance England.
Student Loans
Student loans are only repayable when you have finished your Higher Education course and are earning over £27,295 a year.
Free Professional Diploma Courses for under 19s
The Art & Design, Creative Enterprise and Performance courses are free to students under 19, or can be funded by an Advanced Learner Loan which is written off, if you continue onto Higher Education.
Maintenance Loans and Non-Repayable Grants
You may be eligible for a maintenance loan or non-repayable grant whilst studying a Higher Education course at HSDC. Find out on the Student Finance England website.
Direct Funding
If you do not qualify for a student loan or would prefer to fund your studies directly, you can pay upfront or set up an instalment plan via our internal student finance team. Terms and conditions will be stated on your application. Go to the Financial Support page for more information.
Entry Requirements
We offer different entry requirements – real world experience counts so you may not need the qualifications you would need for the same course at university. Please look at the course for individual entry requirements.
Full Time and University of Portsmouth Courses (except UAL courses)
Our full time Higher Education courses can be applied for via the UCAS website. Just head to the course page you want to apply for and click ‘how to apply’. We will then explain how to complete your application on the UCAS website.
UAL Professional Diploma Courses
Applications for UAL courses is processed by HSDC and can be applied for by clicking on the ‘apply now’ button on the course page. If you are already a student at HSDC, please contact your tutor or lecturer who will provide you with the relevant course application form and further information.
Engineering Part Time Courses
To apply for our part time Engineering HNC/HND courses, complete the part time application form which can be found on our website here.
The information published below shows:
The number of students who attained a particular degree or other academic award, or a particular level of such an award, on completion of their course with us.
It shows these numbers by reference to:
- the gender of the individuals to which they relate
- their ethnicity
- their socioeconomic background.
Table 1a: Percentage of classified first degrees at grade 2:1 or above by characteristic for 2021-22 qualifiers.
Table 1b: Detailed information on attainment for 2021-22 qualifiers.
