The College offers a range of university qualifications, from HNC/Ds and foundation degrees to Bachelor’s degrees, Honours degrees and postgraduate programmes. We also run a number of teaching and professional programmes. To help you decide which qualification is the right one for you, we’ve included a brief definition of each type below. If you’d like additional information to help with making your choice then please contact us (details at the end of this section) – we’ll be happy to advise you.

HNCs and HNDs

HNDs are approximately equivalent to the first 2 years of a degree course. HNC/D programmes tend to be more work-related than typical degree courses and the entry requirements are lower too. An HNC takes 1 year fulltime and 2 years part-time to complete, while HNDs are usually 2 years full-time or 3 years part-time. Successful HNC/D students are sometimes able to join the second year of a full degree course in a related topic.

Foundation Degrees

Foundation degrees are the new generation of work-related higher education qualifications. These qualifications have been designed in close consultation with local and national employers in order to provide the specialist knowledge and skills that are currently demanded from the particular sector, as well as the more general competencies that equip graduates for future professional development. The great thing about foundation degrees is that they allow a broad range of students to access university education. Flexible learning gives students the option to study either full-time (over two years) or part-time (over three to four years). Students who have successfully completed one of our foundation degree programmes can usually progress to the final year of a related honours degree or to one of our bespoke 1 or 2-year Honours top-up programmes.

Bachelor’s degrees

Bachelor’s Degrees (or Ordinary Degrees/Pass Degrees) are courses of academic study that lead to the following qualifications: Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc) or Bachelor of Engineering (BEng).

Some subjects equip you for a particular career; others, like English, are not linked to one particular job type and can enable you to pursue several different career directions. Bachelor’s Degrees usually require at least 2 years of fulltime study (with part-time options often available).

Honours Degrees

Honours degrees normally require three years of fulltime study (longer for sandwich options) and can also be taken part-time. The final year will often involve the production of a dissertation. Honours Degrees lead to the following qualifications: Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA Hons), Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc Hons), or Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (BEng Hons).

Top-up degrees

Following the successful completion of a Foundation Degree or Bachelor’s Degree, you may be entitled to continue your studies in order to achieve a full Honours Degree. These qualifications usually take between 1 and 2 years of study on a full-time basis.

Postgraduate programmes

Postgraduate is the term used to describe a course where having an honours degree is normally required for entry. Postgraduate study can lead to a Masters degree, such as Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MSc) or a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma.

Teaching programmes

The College runs two very successful courses that are related to teaching and training: the Professional Certificate in Education (PCE) and the Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). Both offer practising teachers (and aspiring teachers) the opportunity to formally qualify for a teaching career in the post-compulsory sector.

Professional programmes

The College offers a number of professional programmes. One example is the Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management, awarded by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Professional programmes lead to nationally-recognised qualifications that will allow you to advance your career. In many cases they also lead to individual membership of the Institute or professional body that awards them.

With excellent independent reviews and degrees awarded by one of the nation’s most prestigious universities – Lancaster - we’re among the UK’s top colleges. Our reputation for superior teaching is owed to supportive and passionate staff who are dedicated to developing and maintaining a first-rate curriculum for all. Our results speak for themselves.

National recognition

Blackpool and The Fylde College is recognised as one of the top colleges in the country, widely acclaimed for its commitment to learner-focused education with appropriate support to ensure success. It has been designated as a National Beacon of Excellence and was recently re-accredited for the Charter Mark in recognition of the excellent service it provides to all its learners. We have also been awarded Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) status in three curriculum areas.

A top UK university

Blackpool and The Fylde College has held Associate College status with Lancaster University since 1993. On this basis we are able to offer courses that lead to Lancaster University awards. Since Lancaster consistently rates as one of the top universities in the UK and maintains an international reputation for quality higher education, our graduates get a prized degree from a world-class university. The associate status means that Lancaster University acknowledges the College’s ability to deliver education of a high quality through a wide range of courses.

QAA praise

Recent reviews by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) confirmed that the College demonstrates good practice across a range of areas, including:

• The management, development and quality assurance of higher education
• A well-planned curriculum that facilitates progression from further education
• Well-developed working relationships between employers and the College
• Well-resourced staff development strategies
• A strong framework for student support and academic guidance
• The development of management information systems to ensure accurate public information and to facilitate quality management
• The management of student assessment

Variety

We have many years’ experience in offering university qualifications. With courses now available in 16 curriculum areas, students can choose from an extensive range of programmes at levels ranging from HNC right through to postgraduate. Many of our degrees can be studied on a part-time basis with flexible timetabling available.

Continuous improvement

Our commitment to quality is demonstrated by the fact that all our courses are subject to annual review and development. As an institution, we pride ourselves on the fact that our course offering reflects industrial and professional trends. Our tutors go to great lengths to ensure that course content is relevant and up-to-date, satisfying both individual objectives and employer expectations. Enhancing employability is central to our mission.

The College Scholarship and Research Development Scheme is an exciting initiative aimed at enhancing teaching quality and ultimately the learner experience. The scheme, which has been recognised as good practice by Higher Education institutions across the UK, is putting us on the map in the field of pedagogic advancement.

A supportive environment

The quality of the College’s university education is reflected in our exceptionally high success and retention rates. This climate of success has developed amid a friendly and caring learning environment, where approachable tutors work closely with students to help them to achieve their educational goals. Unlike many universities we offer small and intimate student groups where learners benefit from increased interaction, Personal Development Planning and better individual support.