Degrees as easy as...1, 2, 3

Welcome to Higher Education at B&FC

Studying for a higher qualification has never been so flexible.

Now you can study for one, two or three years here and get a qualification at every stage. What's more, you can commit to just one year at a time, take a break at the end of any year, go into employment and come back when you're ready to continue or simply continue with your studies by signing up to the next year

We've developed this modular approach because we appreciate that not everyone can or wants to commit to the three years it takes to get a full honours degree right from the start. You might not need a Level 6 qualification to pursue your career ambitions. Or you might be unsure whether you can juggle a degree with family life and work commitments. Whatever the reason, this approach allows you to test the water to see if higher level study is right for you whilst still achieving a qualification at the end of the year. It also gives you more flexibility if life throws you a curved ball and you need to take time away from your studies unexpectedly.

Industry-focused. Career-ready.

With our reputation for delivering outstanding technical and professional education, it comes as no surprise that our courses focus on industry-relevant training. Working with over 1,800 employer partners means we have a real insight into what various industry sectors are looking for in their graduate recruits which allows us to tailor our course content accordingly. What this means is that students who graduate from B&FC - whether at Level 4, 5 or 6 - are ready to hit the ground running when it comes to employment. You'll already be familiar with all the technologies and equipment you'll encounter in the workplace too because we have been able to invest in industry-standard facilities to make the move from study to work even easier.

Your Path Through HE

Our University level courses come in all shapes and sizes. Here's our guide to explaining what all these different qualifications mean.

• Higher National Certificates (HNCs) are one-year Level 4 employer-focused qualifications which can either lead directly to employment or to a Higher National Diploma (HND) or the second year of an honours degree programme depending on the subject studied.
• Certificates of Higher Education (Cert HE) are also one-year Level 4 qualifications which follow the same curriculum as the first year of our Foundation Degrees. On completion you can either opt to go into employment or, if you decide to continue your studies, join the second year of the corresponding foundation degree.
• Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) are one-year Level 5 qualifications which build on the knowledge and skills acquired in a corresponding HNC. On completion, you can either go into employment or join one of our topup programmes to gain a full honours degree.
• Foundation Degrees (FdAs), which are studied over two years (Levels 4 and 5), integrate academic and work-based learning through close collaboration with employers to provide an industry-relevant qualification. They also provide a route through to top-up degrees.
• BA/BScBEng (Hons) Topup Degrees (Level 6) provide successful B&FC Foundation Degree graduates with the option of 'topping up' their degree to an Honours degree in just one year.
• BA/BScBEng (Hons) Degrees (Levels 4, 5 and 6) available at B&FC are traditional 3 year programmes that lead to the award of an Honours degree.
• Higher and Degree Apprenticeships combine skilled on-the-job training with higher level study to allow those already in employment to move their career forward.
• Postgraduate programmes (Level 7) are typically studied after an Honours degree, such as our Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).

All the Support You Need

At B&FC we offer a range of support services to help you get the most from your studies, realise your career goals and keep your personal life on track.

Here’s what we offer:

Financial Support

Whilst there’s plenty of financial support out there, we can help you access it. We’re here if you need support filling in forms or to check you’re getting everything you’re entitled to.

Careers Support

At Blackpool and The Fylde College, we don’t just care about the here and now – we want to help you realise your future goals. Our Careers Team are on hand to give you specialist advice and guidance to improve your career prospects and help you land the perfect role.

Study Skills Support

Our Higher Education Learning Mentors (HELMs) – unique to B&FC – provide one-to-one support in assignment planning, researching, exam preparation, referencing, revision and reflective writing. They will give you all the assistance you need to reach your full potential.

Support from Tutors

Our tutors have specialist industry knowledge which means they’re ideally placed to enrich your learning. Along with smaller class sizes which mean you have more one-to-one support, they can provide valuable feedback and give you a real insight into what working in the sector is like.