18+ Contacts

General HE Sites

There is more info about higher education at wwwdirect.gov.uk/uni - these pages include everything you need to know about going on to higher education, from help with where to study and course applications, to student life, housing and finance, taking a year out, graduate careers and postgraduate courses.

Foundation Degrees

Check out the Foundation Degree website.

Natspec - The Association of National Specialist Colleges

Info on specialist colleges and the support they offer. Use the 'Directory' on the site for a profile of each specialist college.

NUS - National Union of Students

For student news, advice and campaigns together with information on the NUS card and discounts available to students

Prospects - The Graduate Service Unit

Info for people considering HE, already in HE or just looking for some careers information. Find out about different careers and job sectors, what jobs would suit you, working abroad, earnings, graduate employers and much more.

UCAS - Universities and Colleges Admissions Service

Tel: 01242 222444 / Minicom: 01242 544942. Organisation for applications for higher education in the UK. The website includes:

A test which can help you find subject areas of interest
A course search facility
On-line application and application tracking
A calculator to help you figure out how many points you have for entry to HE
Info, stats and more for young people, parents and advisers

Finance, Funding and Sponsorship

See also sites listed under 'General HE Sites' above - many of the sites listed carry all sorts of info, including financial information.

www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance

For info about student finances and help available plus applying online. You can also call Student Finance England's customer telephone helpline on 0845 300 5090.

Course and university choices

Course Finder (Morrisby)

Suggests possible courses, universities and colleges based on info you give

Fast Tomato

Interactive online help with decisions on careers in education.

Hotcourses.com

Search by course or institution and browse course 'categories' if you're looking for ideas. Also provides careers info and a funding search facility, so that you can find out if you might be eligible for funding awards.

Skill (National Bureau for Students with Disabilities)

Search for info about support available at each university for disabled students. You can also access and download Skill information leaflets and publications, including 'Into HE'.

Unofficial Guides

For the 'unofficial' lowdown on UK universities - great for real students' opinions on the university or HE college you're thinking about, with factual info on accommodation, facilities, social life etc.

Study Abroad

Erasmus

Info on studying in Europe under the Erasmus scheme. Tel: 01227 762712 e-mail:info@erasmus.ac.uk

Educational Advisory Service (Fulbright Commission)

Free help, info and advice on studying in the USA (including information on courses, institutions, visas, funding). Tel: 020 7404 6994 e-mail:education@fulbright.co.uk

NARIC (National Academic Recognition Information Centre)

Info and advice on how international qualifications (from 180 countries worldwide) compare with those in the UK