HE & Higher skills
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Welcome to Higher Skills
The Higher Skills and Higher Education programme at Kirklees College is dedicated to providing you with the opportunity to gain qualifications, work skills and enhanced career prospects. Our vocational programme encompasses HNC/HND courses, Access to Higher Education courses and higher apprenticeships which are taught by industry experienced tutors to provide you with hands-on experience in your chosen career path.
The Higher Skills provision offers degree level courses on your doorstep designed with your family and other commitments in mind. With lower course fees and small class sizes offering specialist academic support, our programmes provide an affordable and flexible alternative to university study.
Download Our Higher Skills & Higher Education 2025/26 Course Guide
Download the new 2025/26 Higher Skills and Higher Education Course Guide to find out more about our degree-level courses, from flexible HNC/HND programmes to higher apprenticeships and professional courses.
We’re an Ofsted ‘GOOD’ Provider
It’s official! Kirklees College has been rated ‘GOOD’ by Ofsted! This achievement demonstrates that we are at the heart of shaping a better future for all in our community by creating opportunities and changing lives.
Applications Now Open for September 2025
Apply now for our 16-18 full time courses, Apprenticeships, T Levels, Higher Education and Adult courses.
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Everything you need to know about Higher Skills
Higher Skills is studied at Level 4 and above. The routes we offer our students are flexible, whether this is through our HNC, HND route, our professional courses at Level 4 and above, or higher and degree Apprenticeship routes.
Employment is not only about getting that first job, it is about the capacity to build a career, or for some to start their own businesses. Studying at Level 4 and Level 5 will give you the necessary skills and knowledge.
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At Kirklees College, we develop people into confident, resilient individuals, capable of critical thinking. Our Higher Skills provision develops and maps out our curriculum offer based on progression routes and employment opportunities locally and nationally.
For entry requirement information please call our Course Information team on 01484 437070 or email. If you don’t meet the entry requirements they will be able to talk to you about a range of Access to Higher Education courses that are available at Kirklees College.
An Access to Higher Education course is a nationally recognised qualification which can also help you progress to University or other Higher Education or Higher Skills programmes. Designed for adults who wish to change career, study at degree level or improve job prospects.
Are you interested in a career in teaching or learning and assessment and want to pass your experience and knowledge to a future generation? You can boost your chances of a career in teaching (lifelong learning) with a professional course at Kirklees College. Click here for more information.
To be eligible you must:
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- be aged 19 or over at the start of your course,
- be undertaking an eligible course at Level 3, 4, 5 or 6 qualification,
- have been living in the UK for 3 years before starting your course and
- be a UK national or have ‘settled’ status.
You can take out the maximum amount to cover your fee or you can pay all or part of the fee yourself. You may also be eligible to apply to the college’s Loan Bursary scheme for support with travel expenses for example. Whilst the loan is not means-tested, the Advanced Learner bursary scheme is.
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For more information please email or Free Phone on 0800 804 6134.
Prior attainment is not taken into account for your first Advanced Learner Loan. You can take out up to a maximum of four Advanced Learner Loans in total. You can only take out one Advanced Learner Loan at a time.Â
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You must complete a separate application for each Advanced Learner Loan. You are unable to take out two Advanced Learner Loans for the same qualification even if the qualifications are in a different area.
Apply now at www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan when applying please have the following information to hand, the course you want to do and the cost, your national insurance number and your valid UK passport details.
Maintenance loans are to pay living costs for full-time students. This loan is paid into your bank account at the start of each term. The exact amount, full-time students can borrow depends on family income, where you live, what year of study you’re in, and what help you get through the Maintenance Grant.
If you receive a full HE maintenance or student support grant, you may also be eligible for a bursary. For more information please complete and return the application form. Alternatively please contact us via email or Free Phone on 0800 804 6134.
We’re proud to deliver some of our teaching qualifications through the University of Huddersfield
Not Sure What To Study?
If you’re not sure what to study, then why not take some time to find out more information about possible careers?
Or, if you already have a career in mind, but you’re not sure what you need to study to pursue that career, we can help you get one step closer to that dream job.