Why Colleges Are a Real Alternative to University

A guest blog by Liz Bromley, CEO of NCG.

There is an argument to be made that everyone should go to university. I don’t agree.

Education has the power to transform people, provide life-changing opportunities and enable social mobility. I am a passionate advocate for removing barriers to education for this very reason, but social mobility and great careers don’t always require a degree.

Raising aspirations to enter higher education is admirable but it’s important that young people leaving school and being asked to make huge choices about their future aren’t pushed into following a route that may not be right for them, especially since it is likely to leave them in so much debt.

Let’s not forget that the traditional university experience can often mean taking loans to cover accommodation and living expenses, as well as tuition fees. So, when so many graduates aren’t securing graduate level jobs or even earning enough to repay their student loans, we must offer alternative ways to improve life chances.

It is also important to note that most degrees delivered at universities are academically focused. Not every talented person does well academically, and not every career needs an academic degree. Vocational and technical routes are vital to many young people, and to many industries.

I spent most of my career working in universities, but since transitioning to the FE sector I see each day just how powerful all the other routes available are for many different people.

Colleges like ours offer all sorts of vocational courses across a range of levels that lead to real careers. These are hands-on, practical courses with real experiences that are developed alongside employers to ensure they provide the skills that learners really need.

Apprenticeships are one of the most obvious alternatives - designed to lead directly into a job role and immerse learners in the workplace, learning on the job. Perhaps more awareness is needed that apprenticeships aren’t restricted to the ‘trades’; more and more apprenticeship routes are becoming available for roles that you may have assumed would need a degree.

Importantly, higher level and degree level apprenticeships are also available, offering the chance to gain a degree and avoid student debt. This could in fact be a lifeline for those who need to earn a wage to support themselves or their families from a young age.

Where degrees are wanted or needed, colleges can deliver the traditional degree and deliver it well, while offering an alternative experience for those who can’t or don’t want to move away to university and live the stereotypical student lifestyle.

As a firm supporter of lifelong learning, I never forget that any degrees or qualifications are pursued by adults looking to upskill or retrain for an entirely new career.

Perhaps they lack the confidence, need support, or are returning to study alongside working or supporting a family. Maybe they need part-time options, or maybe the smaller class sizes offer a more comfortable environment.

Whatever the reasons for choosing a college, we are anchor institutions that offer the chance to study a degree within a more protected environment, live at home, and leave as highly employable, skilled people. It’s about life-changing opportunities for people who might not have had the best start.

We’re particularly well placed to deliver higher technical qualifications. Those Level 4 and Level 5 vocational qualifications that give learners hands-on learning with experts from industry. We work closely with employers to shape those courses so we know exactly what skills our students need to graduate with, we can offer them work experience with our employer partners, and we can offer them access to facilities that reflect industry to hone those skills they’re developing.

We know we do this well. Over the past decade, Newcastle College University Centre has seen more than 10,000 learners graduate, with many of them remaining in the North East, contributing to the local economy and setting new aspirations for future generations. In 2022, NCG became the first and only college-based provider bestowed with taught degreeawarding powers on an indefinite basis. This means we can develop and deliver degrees up to Level 7, putting us on the same footing as a university, with recognised qualifications of our own. This allows us to work closely with employers to develop our higher education curriculum and respond to the ever-changing skills needs in our local communities, which is more important than ever.

So no, not everybody should go to university. But everyone should have the opportunity to go to university, if its right for them.