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further education

Definition of further education

Examples of further education in a sentence.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'further education.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

1937, in the meaning defined above

Dictionary Entries Near further education

furtherance

Cite this Entry

“Further education.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/further%20education. Accessed 4 Apr. 2024.

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Definition of further education noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

• further education
• a college of further education
• distance learning
• higher education
• qualification

Definitions on the go

Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.

What Is Further Education? A Guide To The Options

If you’re wondering what to do after you finish school, further education can in many different directions.

Once you finish school you may be left stuck on the next path, but there are lots of different further education routes that you can choose to go down.

What is further education?

Further education (FE) is any study that’s taken after you finish secondary education (GCSEs, in year 11). This differs from higher education, which is taken as part of an undergraduate or graduate degree. Unlike GCSEs which are standard for all year 11 pupils, you can choose what route of further education you’d like to take.

Further education options

1. a levels.

A levels are one of the most common choices when it comes to further education. If you attend sixth form or college, you’ll probably choose to take A levels. When taking A Levels you’ll choose a couple of subjects, probably ones similar to what you did for GCSE or your favourite subjects from school to focus on and will complete them over 2 years. A level subjects are normally quite traditional and will be similar to what you’ve learnt in school, just at a more specialised level, so they are best suited for people who favour more traditionally academic subjects.

A levels are free to sit and are offered at most colleges and sixth forms within the UK, so for many people if your secondary school has a sixth form you can easily just stay on for sixth form and continue your education there. When applying for uni, most unis will ask for certain A level grades as the standard entry criteria for example AAB, however, there are other courses you can take which are equivalent if there aren’t A level courses for subjects you’re interested in.

2. Art Foundation Diploma Course

If you’re interested in art, an art foundation diploma course is a type of BTEC level 3 and 4 qualification, and a vocational course that lasts for one year. Vocational courses are for subjects that aren’t traditionally academic and an art foundation can help steer you in the right direction if you’re looking to do an art course at university.

An art foundation diploma could act as a stand-alone qualification, or you could use it to help you confirm a place in university to study an art course at a higher level. If you do choose to do a fine art degree at uni, you’ll need to have completed a foundation diploma first, so this is the best option for students who know this is the route they want to go down as opposed to taking more traditional academic subjects as A levels.

Art foundation diplomas are free for anyone under 19 who has finished school, however, if you choose to take one later in life when you’re over 19 it will cost you around £1,300.

3. BTEC Nationals

BTEC Nationals are a good option for students who are better at practical skills. BTEC courses are level 3 courses just like A levels, so by successfully completing BTEC courses, you can secure a place in university just as you would by taking A levels.

BTEC courses are made up of a number of units and an 18 unit course is equivalent to 3 A levels, but if you sit a 12 unit BTEC you may also need an A level qualification too to make up the points needed to get into a university course.

If you’re studying a BTEC you’ll be learning valuable workplace and practical skills, alongside academic theory which is very valuable to future employers. BTECs are assessed by ongoing assessments throughout the year, practical tests and exams. You can take BTECs at the majority of colleges across the UK in subjects including: art and design, business, childcare, construction, media, travel and tourism, public services, fashion, hospitality and more.

While you can study more traditional subjects as BTECs, the courses tend to cover subjects that A levels don’t and are a good option for people who would prefer to specialise in something different to the academic subjects you learn in school.

4. Technical Baccalaureate (TechBac)

The TechBac was introduced in 2014 and are practical, vocational courses aimed at 16-19-year-olds who want technical qualifications and “soft skills”. Soft skills are skills that are desired in the workplace, such as being able to communicate effectively, being adaptable, working well in a team and being able to take constructive criticism.

Each course has to be recognised by the support of a National professional body or experts within their field, for example, Microsoft and Bosch. Students who choose to do a TechBach are recognised by employers as being work-ready, helping to immediately improve employability chances after completing the qualification. TechBachs will give you both a technical qualification and soft skills, so they’re a great option for students who would rather go straight into working instead of progressing into higher education.

Students under 19 can apply for funding to cover the costs of the course, and the course will be measured in hours, normally taking anywhere between 360-1080 hours to complete.

5. Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are a form of further education combined with working, so you’ll be doing on the job training allowing you to work while studying. If you do an apprenticeship you’ll get a qualification and you’ll be paid a salary at the same time.

Apprenticeships are available for school leavers over 16 and you can do courses in industries such as childcare, fashion, advertising, law, teaching, accounting, engineering, hairdressing as well as the more traditional trades such as utilities.

An advanced level apprenticeship (which is taken as further education, and is Level 3 the same as A levels) will typically take between 15 to 28 months to complete. Once done you’ll have a qualification and the skills needed to go into your chosen career sector.

6. T Levels

If you haven’t heard of T Levels before, that’s because they’re a new qualification introduced in September 2020. T Levels are equivalent to 3 A levels and are 2-year courses, developed in collaboration with employers and businesses so that the content meets the needs of industry and prepares students for work, or further study or training.

T Levels offer a mixture of classroom learning and on-the-job experience including an industry placement of at least 45 days. T Level subject areas include: accounting, catering, design, education, finance, health, legal, science, media, management, childcare, animal care and many more. As T Levels are a new qualification, they’re only just being rolled out across certain colleges in the UK, but there are lots of new courses scheduled to be available from September 2022 and 2023, which you can check here .

T Levels have been designed to be one of the main choices for students after finishing their GCSEs so you will be hearing a lot more about them in future years, and they’re based on the same standards as apprenticeships on the basis that they’re designed by employers but differ as you won’t be earning a wage. You will be able to go on to uni after completing T Levels, which will be worth certain UCAS points when applying for university courses.

Although most schools will push A levels as the option you should take once you’ve finished GCSEs, there are plenty of other options which can also lead to uni if that’s what you’re interested in, or straight into a job. Of course, the choice is up to you based on what you think you’d enjoy the most and be best at, but it’s definitely something to think about carefully as it can help to define your future.

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Definition of 'further education'

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Further education in british english, examples of 'further education' in a sentence further education, trends of further education.

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Definition of further education – Learner’s Dictionary

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(Definition of further education from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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Overview of the UK's further education sector

The UK boasts a diverse and wide-ranging further education sector that provides opportunities for school leavers, young adults and mature students

FE sector facts

• Further education includes study after secondary school.
• College is for people of all ages, with courses free for students aged 16 to 18.
• 1.6 million students go to college in England each year to develop their career, progress to university, engage in further education or increase their employability.

What is further education?

On GOV.UK it states that further education (FE) includes any study after secondary education that doesn't form part of an undergraduate or graduate degree.

These post-secondary school qualifications are delivered by FE, sixth form and specialist colleges that aim to provide top quality academic, technical and professional education and training for both young people and adults.

The Education and Training Foundation (ETF), the professional body for FE training and standards in England, has produced a Guide to the FE System in England .

How is the FE system structured?

According to the AoC, there are 270 colleges in the UK (June 2023):

• 225 colleges in England
• 26 in Scotland
• 13 in Wales
• 6 in Northern Ireland.

UK colleges are represented by the following organisations specific to each home nation:

• Association of Colleges (AoC) - The membership organisation representing FE, sixth form, tertiary and specialist colleges in England.
• Colleges Scotland - The collective voice of the college sector in Scotland.
• Colleges Wales - An education charity that promotes the public benefit of further education in Wales.
• Northern Ireland (NI) Direct - Oversees the two university colleges, six FE colleges and an agri-food and land-based college in NI.

Most colleges are referred to as general FE colleges, but there are a number of different types of institution.

For instance, of the 225 colleges in England:

• 158 are general FE colleges
• 44 sixth form colleges
• 11 land-based colleges
• 10 institutes of adult learning (formerly specialist designated colleges)
• two art, design and performing arts colleges.

Who are college courses aimed at?

Anyone aged 16 and over can go to college, although the AoC reported that the majority of college income for 2020/21 (£3.63billion), accounting for 55% of total spending, was focused on 16-18 education.

It's unsurprising that sixth form and general FE colleges providing qualifications at A-level standard benefit most from the funding, especially as education is still free for students in this age group.

Colleges are inclusive places to learn, with over a fifth (21%) of students studying in England in 2022/23 having indicated some form of learning difficulty and/or disability.

What FE courses can you study?

Widely available FE courses include:

• BTECs (Business and Technology Education Council)
• Higher National Certificates (HNCs)

See college courses for an overview of the main FE qualifications studied at college.

However, while these FE courses are offered by colleges rather than universities, some colleges also run undergraduate programmes.

Read our guide to undergraduate qualifications .

It was also revealed that colleges train around 1,000 apprentices, so you may wish to explore apprenticeships in more detail. You can learn more about vocational college courses at AoC - About colleges .

Can I still go on to university?

Some FE qualifications can be topped up to a full degree, so if you're thinking of going to university but still aren't sure, the course may offer credit should you choose to carry on with study after the college course.

What are the modes of study at college?

Similar to university, you can choose between full and part-time study for the majority of courses. While some will require you to spend a significant amount of time in the classroom, colleges often use a blended learning approach, with online distance learning complementing the traditional face-to-face teaching.

Online college courses, for qualifications such as A-levels and BTECs, are also very popular. This is because you'll get the opportunity to study and achieve a qualification without the need to visit the college in person. The course will typically involve interacting with tutors and other learners online through lectures, training sessions, webinars and chat forums.

Popular FE providers include the Open Study College and Online Learning College , while The Open University offers qualification options at undergraduate level and above. You can also explore free courses as signposted by the National Careers Service (NCS) .

This flexible approach to learning allows students to study at a time and place that fits in with their lifestyle, perfect if there isn't a local college accessible from your area. Read more about the benefits of online learning .

Am I eligible for student finance?

As mentioned, FE college courses are free for 16 to 18-year-olds, but for adult learners (anyone 19 and over), tuition fees are likely to be involved. Even younger students can still claim education-related costs through the government's 16 to 19 Bursary Fund .

If you're studying in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you may be able to claim for Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) .

When it comes to online learning with private course providers, you'll certainly need to pay course fees. For instance, if you're taking A-levels, you'll need to consider exam and invigilation fees as well as tuition costs, while for some courses, there's additional fees for the practical aspects of the programme.

There are a range of grants and loans offered at a local level for adult education. For example, see the booklet on Fees, finance and funding for adult learners from The Manchester College .

For undergraduate courses at college, you can consider applying for government support in the form of tuition fee and maintenance loans. Read more about student loans and finance at undergraduate level.

Can international students go to college in the UK?

International students can apply to go to college in the UK, but you'll need to have sorted out your visa first before entering the country.

As Britain has now left the European Union (EU), students from European countries will require 'settled' status under the EU Settlement Scheme to live and study here. However, in many cases, college fees are still generally quite reasonable.

The AoC has revealed that the average tuition fees for international students studying a further education qualification is £8,200 per year, with Level 3 courses proving the most popular.

As colleges are renowned for providing a pipeline for those progressing to university, a high proportion of international students choose to move on to HE courses.

They also found that as far as the international marketplace is concerned, the main drawing power in coming to the UK for FE-level study is to achieve A-levels, take English language courses and undertake teacher training .

Read more about studying in the UK at degree level.

You can also take a look at the scholarships and funding available from the British Council - and get information on how to apply to study in the UK .

Find out more

• Discover how to apply for college in the UK .
• Consider should I go to university or do an apprenticeship?
• Explore adult education .

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• Education and learning
• Apprenticeships, 14 to 19 education and training for work

Further education courses and funding

Further education ( FE ) includes any study after secondary education that’s not part of higher education (that is, not taken as part of an undergraduate or graduate degree).

Courses range from basic English and maths to Higher National Diplomas ( HNDs ).

FE also includes 3 types of technical and applied qualifications for 16 to 19-year-olds:

• level 3 tech levels to specialise in a specific technical job
• level 2 technical certificates help get employment or progress to another tech level
• applied general qualifications to continue general education at advanced level through applied learning

Many courses in reading, writing and basic maths are free, and you may not have to pay for tuition if you’re under 24 and studying for your first qualification equivalent to GCSE or A level.

Find out about financial support , for example for your course or day-to-day living costs.

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• further education

adult education .

Origin of further education

Words nearby further education.

• furtherance
• furthermore
• furthermost

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use further education in a sentence

As well as the myriad social, political, and cultural forces which buffet the choices you make in terms of when and if to obtain further education .

Such children and their families might decide further education is futile.

In his Metalogicus, John gives an account of his further education .

When, in the new society, the young generation has come of age, the further education will be every persons own concern.

She was placed in such an institution ostensibly for further education , but with the intention on her part there to always remain.

The Prince does not wish for further education , and is by no means disposed to give any privilege to them.

His father looked about for a suitable school, and decided to entrust the boy's further education to Mr. Ready, of Peckham.

British Dictionary definitions for further education

(in Britain) formal education beyond school other than at a university or polytechnic

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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In absentia lucis, tenebrae vincunt..

10 Reasons Why Further Education Makes Sense At Any Age

There’s no denying that the digital age has created a raft of employment opportunities in the job market. However, it has also meant that many people have found their existing roles have evolved, with some requiring expertise in new technologies and technology systems.

As you can imagine, it makes sense to have formal training and qualifications for many job roles these days.

One of the best pathways into a well-paid role is by having further education, either in the form of online master programs with degree qualifications, or certification in specialist and niche areas.

Did you know that there are many other reasons why it’s a good idea to have a further education, and why it makes sense to do so whether you’ve just left high school or have done so a long time ago?

Take a look at the following ten examples to see why you’re making the right decision by boosting your education:

1. You’ll Be Less Likely To Become Unemployed

One of the most significant worries that anyone will likely have is becoming unemployed. As you can imagine, having no job means you’ll find it challenging to lead a normal lifestyle, and you’d have to assume that the government can provide you with financial assistance.

Therefore, it makes better sense to be in stable employment, and one way you can almost guarantee that outcome is by investing in yourself with some further education such as a degree qualification or industry-specific certification.

2. You’ll Earn A Higher Salary

Who doesn’t want to earn lots of money? As you can appreciate, the more money you earn, the less you have to worry about things like paying your monthly household expenses and covering any emergency costs or repairs.

The trouble with leaving high school without considering any further education is you significantly diminish your chances of earning lots of money in your career.

Almost all well-paid roles advertised on the jobs market require candidates to have some formal industry training or a college education with qualifications in specific fields.

3. You’ll Feel More Confident In Yourself

One interesting point to keep in mind about further education is that you’ll feel more confident in yourself.

If you’ve got a college education or even industry certification from a vocational institution, you’ll have proved to yourself that you’re capable of achieving anything in your life.

That’s why many people who gain their first qualification or industry certification go on to pursue other further education opportunities. It’s something you could also do.

4. Competition With Other Job Applicants Is Lower

It doesn’t matter whether a commonly-available unskilled job gets advertised or a role requiring specialist skills and qualifications. There will always be people applying for all roles advertised on the job market.

The trouble is, competition can sometimes be fierce for some jobs, and employers will understandably only shortlist candidates with resumes that stand out from the crowd.

You can make yourself stand out from other applicants by pursuing a further education and having one or more qualifications and certifications.

5. You’ll Find Yourself Getting Headhunted

Imagine if you seldom had to apply for jobs because you kept getting offered them by companies looking for top talent like you? It might appear to be a dream, but it’s a reality for many people that have pursued further education – either after high school or later in life.

You’ll find that hiring managers and even CEOs from top businesses approach you because they want talent like you as part of their teams!

6. You’ll Increase Your Transferable Skills

As you know, it’s always a good idea to have a skill set that you can use in various roles and industries. Unfortunately, that won’t always be possible – at least not in-depth – if you don’t have any further education.

College degrees, industry certifications, and more will help you increase the skills that you can transfer to roles in other niches and industries – a must in today’s highly competitive job market .

7. You’ll Better Compete In Global Job Markets

It’s no secret that many people have aspirations to travel the world, take in new cultures and sights, and generally learn more about other nations. For many people, traveling the world involves saving money to go on a vacation each year.

But, what if you could travel the world as part of your work? Having a further education means you can be a viable choice for employers looking for skilled and reliable talent to grow their brands in overseas markets.

8. You’ll Learn More About Your Preferred Industry

Another reason to gain a college degree or industry certification is that you will have greater exposure to various roles within your niche, but that’s not all!

You’ll also learn more about your preferred industry, such as discovering how other industry processes interact with your role.

For example, if you have a job as an automotive engineer, you could learn about mechanical engine technology, body panel molding, robotic vehicle paint spraying , and more.

9. You’ll Feel Motivated To Expand Your Skills Set

If you have a thirst for knowledge, completing your first college degree or industry certification course will satisfy that thirst for a while. But, the fact you’ve decided to further your education and skill set means you’ll want to keep doing so.

Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that you will want to pursue other educational opportunities and highlight those qualifications and certifications on your resume. Every day is an opportunity to learn something new!

10. You Feel A Massive Sense Of Achievement

Last but not least, it makes no difference whether you’re fresh out of high school or have several decades of commercial experience. You will always feel a massive sense of achievement when you pursue further education opportunities.

In some ways you may even feel like your life has a new meaning or purpose because you’ve equipped yourself with the tools to follow your career ambitions – even if they seemed impossible to achieve before you completed your first degree or certification course!

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Furthering your education: advantages of being a life-long learner.

Learn the benefits of furthering your education and being a life-long learner, whether for better career prospects or new opportunities.

If you’re finding your life has come to a bit of a standstill, you need to think about what you can do to help improve it.

Whether it’s a standstill in your education, your career, your personal life or your overall happiness – there are lots of different ways you can help make yourself feel better.

While we’d love to cover everything in this post, we just don’t have the time. Instead, we’ll focus on what are the benefits of education and how you can improve your education level.

Whether you’ve been to university or you’ve not been back to school since your last exams, there are so many adult education courses available that you’ll definitely find an option that’s right for you.

With that in mind, here is a complete guide to furthering your education and becoming a life-long learner.

What Does Furthering Your Education Mean?

For those that have never come across the term, furthering your education basically does what it says on the tin.

If you’re looking to improve your knowledge or learn a new skill, you will need to go further your education in one way or another.

Whether it’s taking a course or going back to University for your Master’s – becoming a life-long learner is definitely an incredible journey to take.

Who Should Further Their Education?

To put it simply, absolutely anyone can further their education. Whether you’ve not studied for years or you’re fresh out of university, the option to continue studying and learning are not restrictive.

Ideally suited to those that are looking to better themselves and the skills that they have, it really is open to everyone. For a guide on who should further their education, you can visit this site here .

Why Should I Further My Education?

Although the importance of education in our life, as well as the reasons why you should be furthering your education, maybe obvious to most people, others may need a little more convincing.

For those that need a few reasons why education is important, here are five advantages of education that will help you decide if you want to consider furthering your education.

1. Improve your career prospects

Firstly, one of the best reasons to further your education is the career prospects it can open up for you.

Whether you know your dream job requires a certain level of education or your employees has asked you to improve your skills – improving your knowledge could lead to a much better career.

Not only does adult education lead to a better job position, but it also means your earning potential increases too. What more could you want?

2. Learn a new skill

If you’re not furthering your education to increase your earning potential and your career prospects, learning a new skill is also a pretty incredible feeling.

Throughout your life, you should always be striving to learn something new every single day, but becoming an expert in something is an incredible feeling.

Common skills you can learn include communication skills , social media skills, arts and crafts skills, performing arts skills and fitness skills. What would you learn?

3. Open up to opportunities

Although learning a new skill and furthering your education could lead to a higher paid job, it can also lead to some incredible opportunities.

Whether it’s giving you the opportunity to travel or allowing you to meet new people that become lifelong friends, the opportunities for lifelong learning skills are endless.

4. Start your own business

If you’re thinking of starting your own business then improving your education could be the final step you need to take.

Whilst you may have an incredible idea and a business mindset, having the knowledge could give you exactly what you need to run an incredibly successful business.

Whilst you may not need a degree in order to do this, there are lots of business courses that can teach you the ins and out of running your own business. From finances to marketing to writing a business plan , you want to be sure you know it all.

5. Improve your quality of life

Having a better education will not only do wonders for your quality of life, but a study from Harvard Medical School and Harvard University found that people with more than a high school diploma can expect to live up to seven years longer than their less-educated counterparts.

Whether it’s improving the work that you do or opening up new doors and opportunities, it will definitely lead to you feeling much happier with yourself and your life. When it comes to something you’re doing every single day, you need to ensure it brings you joy.

Think about whether or not you can see yourself in the industry for years to come and if not, consider furthering your education in a new and exciting area of interest.

6 Incredible Ways To Further Your Education

Now that you know you definitely want to further your education, it’s time to think about what you’re going to do it. To help, here are 6 incredible ways to get started:

1. Taking an accredited course online

If you’re in an industry where there is an accredited governing body, the likelihood is that they’ll offer courses that you can take alongside your career. This will be something you can do yourself at home, but you may find that the competitive exams are set for specific dates.

Having an accredited course to showcase on your resume will show that you have the appropriate qualifications to be considered a qualified professional in your industry.

Whether you’re in marketing in health and social care, the best way to find these courses is to either speak to your manager or Google what your governing body is. If you don’t find they have courses, there may be free online courses with certificates from top universities you can take.

2. Specialise in a field of study

Whether you’ve just finished university or you’ve been graduated for years, going back to specialise in a field of study or get an advanced degree is a great adult learning initiative. If this is not an affordable option, you can even study online for free and become an expert in your field.

With in-depth studies, practical assessments and time spent in the industry – you really do get a full understanding of the industry you’re studying. For more information on starting your advanced degree and the funding that may be available to you, you can visit this guide here .

3. Complete your Master’s degree online

If you want to further your education with a degree but you don’t want to uproot your life to move to a new city, there are Master’s degrees and courses you can take online . Not only does it mean you don’t have to move, but it also means that you can take the course at your own pace.

Again, the exams may be on a schedule but the course material will be available to read at your own pace. Online education is ideal for those that want to stay in full-time work as they study, you really do get the best of both worlds.

For more information on furthering your education with a degree no matter what subject – whether it be marketing or counselling – you can visit online Master’s school counselling here.

4. Take a local class or workshop

If your idea of studying doesn’t involve going back to school, there are lots of local classes and workshops you can attend that make the whole experience much more enjoyable.

While University is an incredible experience, classes and workshops can have a much more relaxed feel. Whilst you may not come away with a qualification, you will come away having learnt an incredible new skill. For tips and tricks to find classes near you, you can visit this site here .

5. Attend industry events & conferences

If you ware wanting to learn more about the industry you’re in, or you want to improve a certain aspect of your business, attending industry events and conferences are a great place to start.

Most conferences will have professional speakers sharing their expertise and if you want to learn from the best, this may be your greatest possible opportunity. Entrance to these kinds of events doesn’t come cheap, but it is definitely worth it for those that want to step up their game.

Industry events are a little different to conferences as they don’t necessarily have back to back workshops and sessions, but they may have the occasional speaker session you can attend. While these will be much cheaper in price, the value you take away will be considerably lower.

6. Hire a coach or mentor

Finally, one of the most effective approaches you can have to further your knowledge on a subject is to hire yourself a coach or a mentor .

They will personally be able to tailor your study program to you, helping you learn the skills you need in order to achieve your goals. Whether it’s furthering your business or landing that dream job , a mentor will definitely help you get there.

If you’re having concerns about hiring a coach due to their high costs, you may want to consider joining memberships or a support group online. They will cost a lot less than 1-to-1 support, but you will receive similar advice.

While you won’t come out with a qualification from either of these options, you will be learning something new every single day – something you can’t put a price on in a business.

Need career counselling and career guidance in India? Download the SHEROES app for women and get free career advice from career professionals.

So are you considering furthering your education? What benefits could it bring to you? What route will you take in your quest to learn for life? Let us know in the comments section below.

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About the author:

Priya Florence Shah is the Group Editor at SHEROES and author of Devi2Diva, an emotional self-care book for women .

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What is Further Education? With Examples

Further Education

Further Education (FE) refers to ed and training that takes place after a person has completed their compulsory education, typically at the age of 16 in many countries. Further Ed is often considered a bridge between compulsory education and higher education (university or college) or the workforce. It is designed to provide individuals with additional knowledge, skills, and qualifications to help them pursue their chosen careers or further academic goals.

Key aspects of further Ed include:

• Diverse Offerings: Further education encompasses a wide range of programs and courses, catering to various interests and career paths. These can include vocational and technical courses, apprenticeships, adult education, community ed, and more.
• Vocational Training: Many further ed programs focus on practical skills and vocational training, preparing students for specific industries or professions. This can include fields such as healthcare, construction, engineering, hospitality, and the arts.
• Qualifications: Further Ed often results in the attainment of qualifications and certifications, which can be nationally or internationally recognized. These qualifications can vary in level and may include certificates, diplomas, and other vocational awards.
• Flexibility: FE institutions typically offer flexible learning options to accommodate various student needs, including part-time courses, evening classes, online learning, and apprenticeship programs.
• Career Advancement: Further Ed can help individuals enhance their existing skills, acquire new ones, and improve their employability. It can also serve as a pathway to higher education for those who wish to pursue a degree after completing their FE studies.
• Lifelong Learning: Further Ed is not limited to young adults; it is also available to adults seeking to upgrade their skills, change careers, or simply pursue lifelong learning goals.

Summary of Further Education

In different countries, further education may have varying names and structures. For instance, in the United Kingdom, it is often referred to as “further ed and training” and includes colleges, apprenticeships, and adult education programs. In the United States, it is similar to community colleges and technical schools that offer a wide range of courses beyond high school.

The specific offerings and organization of further ed can vary significantly from one region to another, but the overarching goal is to provide individuals with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in their chosen career paths or educational pursuits.

What are the Examples of Further Ed?

Further education encompasses a wide range of educational and training opportunities. Examples of further ed programs and courses include:

Vocational Courses:

These courses are designed to provide specific skills and knowledge related to a particular trade or profession. Examples include:

• Electrician training
• Automotive repair and maintenance
• Cosmetology and beauty therapy
• Carpentry and construction

Apprenticeships:

Apprenticeship programs combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction, allowing individuals to earn while they learn. Examples include apprenticeships in:

• Healthcare (e.g., nursing)
• Information technology
• Culinary arts
• HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning)
• Plumbing and pipefitting

Diploma and Certificate Programs:

These programs offer specialized education in various fields and typically result in the awarding of diplomas or certificates. Examples include:

• Business administration
• Graphic design
• Early childhood ed
• Web development
• Legal studies
• Digital Marketing

Adult Education:

Adult education programs cater to individuals who want to improve their basic skills or acquire new ones. Examples include:

• Adult literacy and numeracy classes
• English as a Second Language (ESL) courses
• GED (General Educational Development) preparation
• Life skills workshops

Community College Courses:

Community colleges offer a wide array of further ed options, including:

• Associate degree programs in various fields (e.g., nursing, engineering, liberal arts)
• Technical and trade programs
• General education courses that can transfer to a four-year university

Professional Development and Continuing Education:

Many adults engage in further education to enhance their professional skills and credentials. Examples include:

• Continuing education courses for teachers and educators
• Leadership and management training
• Healthcare professionals updating their skills through continuing medical education (CME)
• IT professionals pursuing certifications (e.g., CompTIA, Cisco)

Arts and Creative Courses:

These programs focus on developing artistic and creative talents. Examples include:

• Music and performing arts classes
• Visual arts and design courses
• Creative writing workshops
• Photography and filmmaking courses

Healthcare Training:

Programs in the healthcare field that prepare individuals for careers in healthcare. Examples include:

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training
• Medical assistant programs
• Dental hygienist programs
• Radiologic technology programs

Trade Union Education:

Some trade unions offer further ed and training programs for their members, helping them improve their skills and advance in their careers. Examples include trade-specific training offered by unions for electricians, plumbers, and more.

These are just a few examples of the diverse range of further education opportunities available to individuals. The specific programs and courses offered can vary by region and institution, and they are designed to meet the educational and career needs of a wide range of learners.

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The importance of purpose at work

How finding meaning can change the way we feel about our careers, from three women who know

Does the job you do matter to you? It's a big question, but the past few years have prompted many of us to reflect on our professional output and whether it has meaning. Purpose-driven work that aligns with our values makes us feel energised and inspired; we know it when we feel it.

There are, of course, a variety of ways to satisfy a yearning for deeper meaning. Sharing your skills and inspiring the next generation as a teacher in further education , for example, can be incredibly fulfilling. If you've been working in industry throughout your career, you are likely to have plenty of those skills and real-world experience to pass on – and they're more valuable than you realise.

Embracing the pivot

One woman who has found purpose through this exact career pivot is Sophie Ellen Lachowycz. She was working as a fashion and portrait photographer when she was asked to run some workshops at West Suffolk College, where she now runs the two-year Fashion, Media and Promotion diploma course. Her award-winning photography has been featured in luxury magazines and exhibited internationally, but she says teaching in further education (any post-16 education that isn't a degree) has offered another level of enrichment.

After the workshops whet her appetite for further education teaching , she decided to pursue it more seriously. As it's not always necessary to have teaching qualifications before you start, she was able to train while lecturing part-time and still working as a photographer. “I don’t see teaching and my photography as two separate entities; they coincide and mutually benefit one another,” she says. “I teach practical techniques and methods to my students, which I use myself outside of the college, so it ensures I keep honing my skills while also helping me to experiment with new practices.

“Teaching in further education very flexible – the holidays give me plenty of time to do my professional work while I also have that regular income, so when I have fluctuations in photography commissions (common in creative fields), I have my bases covered.” Plus, for Lachowycz, it's something she finds hugely rewarding. “For many students, it might be the first opportunity they've had to really focus on a subject they’re personally interested in. It’s gratifying to help them produce work they’re proud of and explore what sort of career they might want in the future.”

Passing on your skills

Regardless of the field or business, finding work that matches our core values is a good place to start when it comes to finding professional purpose. For entrepreneur Jo Malone OBE, running her own business has enabled her to instil her personal values of creativity, entrepreneurship, resilience, honesty, and integrity.

.css-lt453j{font-family:NewParisTextBook,NewParisTextBook-roboto,NewParisTextBook-local,Georgia,Times,Serif;font-size:1.75rem;line-height:1.2;margin:0rem;padding-left:5rem;padding-right:5rem;}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-lt453j{padding-left:2.5rem;padding-right:2.5rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-lt453j{font-size:2.5rem;line-height:1.2;}}.css-lt453j b,.css-lt453j strong{font-family:inherit;font-weight:bold;}.css-lt453j em,.css-lt453j i{font-style:italic;font-family:NewParisTextItalic,NewParisTextItalic-roboto,NewParisTextItalic-local,Georgia,Times,Serif;} “Work towards your dreams every day, then your life will become what you always dreamed of”

“From being a young girl working in a flower shop, to becoming a perfumer and shopkeeper, I've always tried to find purpose in what I'm doing, no matter what stage in life I've been at,” she says.

Malone now finds meaning in passing on her skills and experience to the next generation. “The way we give back is by sharing our story,” she says. “Also, helping to train and give other people opportunities and to allow them to experience an entrepreneurial experience from top to bottom.”

There is a wide range of further education courses where you can share your own story, from photography and law to healthcare, engineering and tech, so there is likely to be a course where your industry skills and experience would be invaluable, whatever your current profession.

Hidden assets: The skills and experience you've gathered over the course of your career are more valuable than you think. Identifying and sharing them in further education could be the key to unlocking that sense of fulfilment, giving you the opportunity to change lives without changing career.

Inspired to find your own sense of purpose? Cremer advises taking the time to find out what makes you feel enthusiastic and engaged. “I often suggest diarising a date, maybe months away, on which you will make a decision about your future. That way you can park the big ‘why does nothing feel right?’ conversations in your head for a while and relax into discovering new things. Careers are very rarely all good or all bad.”

Find out more about how you could use your skills to change lives without the need to change your career at Teach in Further Education

The European Qualifications Framework

The EU developed the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) as a translation tool to make national qualifications easier to understand and more comparable. The EQF seeks to support cross-border mobility of learners and workers, promote lifelong learning and professional development across Europe.

What is the EQF?

The EQF is an 8-level , learning outcomes-based framework for all types of qualifications that serves as a translation tool between different national qualifications frameworks. This framework helps improve transparency, comparability and portability of people’s qualifications and makes it possible to compare qualifications from different countries and institutions.

The EQF covers all types and all levels of qualifications and the use of learning outcomes makes it clear what a person knows, understands and is able to do. The level increases according to the level of proficiency, level 1 is the lowest and 8 the highest level. Most importantly the EQF is closely linked to national qualifications frameworks , this way it can provide a comprehensive map of all types and levels of qualifications in Europe, which are increasingly accessible through qualification databases.

The EQF was set up in 2008 and later revised in 2017 . Its revision has kept the core objectives of creating transparency and mutual trust in the landscape of qualifications in Europe. Member States committed themselves to further develop the EQF and make it more effective in facilitating the understanding of national, international and third-country qualifications by employers, workers and learners.

Which countries are involved?

In addition to the EU Member States another 11 countries work towards implementing the EQF, namely Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway (European Economic Area countries), Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Türkiye (candidate countries), Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo ** (potential candidates) and Switzerland.

Who else is involved?

EQF Advisory Group (AG),established in 2008, is the central forum for discussion between the Commission, countries and stakeholders from the world of education and training, employment and civil society. The role of the AG is to ensure overall coherence and promote transparency, and trust in the process of referencing. Minutes and documents of the EQF Advisory Group meetings are published on the Register of Commission Expert Groups

European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) and the European Training Foundation (ETF) , as European Agencies, play an important role in supporting the implementation of the EQF.  

The ENIC/NARIC network  is a network of national centres set up to directly support institutions and citizens with the recognition of academic qualifications.

The EQF works together with other European and international instruments supporting the recognition of qualifications.

• The Council Recommendation of 26 November 2018 on promoting automatic mutual recognition of higher education and upper secondary education and training qualifications and the outcomes of learning periods abroad refers to the EQF as a way to foster transparency and build trust between national education and training systems
• Directive 2005/36/EC addresses the recognition of professional qualifications in the EU , enabling professionals to move across borders and practise their occupation or provide services abroad
• The Lisbon recognition convention is an international agreement administered by UNESCO and the Council of Europe that allows for the recognition of academic qualifications in Europe and beyond;
• The EQF is compatible with the Qualifications Framework for the European Higher Education Area and its cycle descriptors. The framework was agreed by education ministers of the intergovernmental Bologna Process in 2005.

What is the referencing process?

The EQF Recommendation invites Member States to reference their national qualifications frameworks or systems to the EQF, in order to establish a clear and transparent relationship between their national qualification levels and the eight EQF levels. Member States are recommended to review and update, when relevant, the referencing of the levels of the national qualifications frameworks or systems to the levels of the EQF.

Each country wanting to relate its national qualifications levels to the EQF has to prepare a detailed referencing report that follows the 10 EQF referencing criteria agreed in Annex III to the revised EQF Recommendation.  National referencing reports are presented to the EQF Advisory Group which endorses them if they satisfy the referencing criteria.

Once national frameworks are referenced to the EQF all newly issued qualifications (e.g. certificates, diplomas, certificate supplements, diploma supplements), and/or qualifications databases should in principle contain a clear reference to the appropriate EQF and NQF level.

Find support through EU services

Professional qualifications in the eu, european higher education area and bologna process, cedefop-eqf, you may be interested to read.

Description of the eight EQF levels

Compare qualifications frameworks

National Qualifications Frameworks

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Colorado needs to strengthen college and career connections for students, report says

Sign up for our free monthly newsletter Beyond High School to get the latest news about college and career paths for Colorado’s high school grads.

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While more Colorado students are taking college-level and career education classes in high school, a new report says that trend hasn’t correlated to many more students going to college.

To better help students, the report from the Keystone Policy Center recommends that Colorado do more than just expose students to career and college options through its myriad programs. It needs schools to help students map out steps after high school so they’re better prepared for a “competitive, fast-changing, and at times chaotic world,” the report says.

Van Schoales, senior policy director for the Keystone Policy Center, said there are still difficulties getting students from K-12 to college, even if schools have the tools to connect students to college and career experiences at an earlier age.

Given the investments and time going into these programs, “you would think that there would be more college success,” Schoales said, “and there’s not as strong a correlation as you might expect.”

To improve the effectiveness of programs intended to prepare high school students, the report focuses on available statewide data, success stories in rural and urban parts of the state, and several recommendations that include new reportable data.

Colorado has created numerous programs in high school to connect students to college or career programs. Those include apprenticeships and opportunities for high school students to take college classes.

Students who achieve some sort of education beyond high school are poised to fare better economically than students with only a high school diploma.

Yet the report shows only 28.6% of low-income graduates earned a certificate or degree four years after graduating high school. Only about 50% of all students in Colorado go to college , 10 percentage points below the national rate. And the report says the growth of college- and advanced-level classes and career education programs hasn’t correlated to a much higher number of students getting to college.

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Districts are trying. In their report, titled “Rural and Urban Perspectives on Post-Secondary Preparation,” the authors cited two examples of a school and district that are not only offering programs, but also helping students design what’s next for themselves.

Denver’s CEC Early College, the report says, has rigorous programs that open students’ eyes to life after graduation, require completion of college financial aid documents, and focus on personalized counseling to help as many students as possible connect to their career goals.

And Center Consolidated School District, a rural district in Southern Colorado, mixes exposure to college-level programs with helping students create a strategy for when they leave, the report says.

The district uses the state’s planning framework to help students create academic and career goals. It then follows up with projects and seminars that help students see beyond high school walls.

Not every school has taken on this work, Schoales said. For those that have, however, the state can seek to improve the system by better documenting what is and isn’t working for students.

Colorado officials want to help more Coloradans find personal and economic value in the education they get .

And the report acknowledges the state has identified goals that include encouraging more students to prepare for next steps, working with college advisers to make next steps easier for students, and developing partnerships to remove barriers.

This year, that’s been a focus for lawmakers who have pushed to reshape workforce education. They’ve also filed legislation that expands apprenticeships and other career education opportunities, while also studying the programs to recommend policy changes.

The report says the state can provide more data on dual and concurrent enrollment programs. The state can try to better understand high school programs and career and college outcomes, the report says.

It also recommends tracking what’s happened to Colorado’s high school students after they leave high school to understand how programs help them in college or in a career.

State officials could then make adjustments from there or stand up programs that are working, Schoales said, because available data doesn’t point to Colorado achieving its intended goal, especially for students of color and from low-income families.

Jason Gonzales is a reporter covering higher education and the Colorado legislature. Chalkbeat Colorado partners with Open Campus on higher education coverage. Contact Jason at [email protected] .

The schools offer a mix of elementary, middle, and high school programs across three boroughs.

The Village provides food, mental health support, and more to students. But it’s funded by federal pandemic relief aid called ESSER dollars, which are set to run out this year.

Absenteeism rates are higher for certain student groups based on race, gender identity, disability, and English language skills

Young adults at Rikers are entitled to attend the Education Department’s East River Academy and work towards a high school diploma or GED.

One-time federal dollars are set to run out and a state surplus is projected to decline. Michigan public school districts will have to make difficult decisions.

The staffers play a critical role on the front lines of two colliding crises: the exploding number of students living in homeless shelters, and elevated rates of chronic absenteeism in the wake of the pandemic.

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Teacher strikes: Everything you need to know about the 2023/24 teacher pay award

NOTE: This post was updated on 02/08/23 to acknowledge the latest developments.

School teachers in England have been given a pay award of 6.5% as the Government accepted all the recommendations set out by the independent body advising on teacher pay. All teaching unions have now accepted this award, with the NEU, NAHT and ASCL calling off strike action in the autumn.

The pay award is the highest for teachers for 30 years and will boost starting salaries for new teachers to at least £30,000 across the country, meaning an increase of up to 7.1%. Here we tell you everything you need to know about our pay award for school teachers.

Will there be more teacher strikes?

The NEU, NAHT and ASCL have called off their planned industrial action in the autumn.

We are aware that NASUWT is threatening further disruption in schools in the autumn, despite accepting the fully funded 6.5% pay award.

What is the pay award for school teachers?

The School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) recommended a pay award of 6.5% across all pay scales, which has been accepted in full by the Education Secretary.

This comes on top of the record pay rise in 2022/23 of 5.4% on average, meaning that over two years, teacher pay is increasing by more than 12% on average.

There are also slightly higher pay increases for starting salaries outside London, so that new teachers receive £30,000 or above from September to deliver on the Government's commitment.

The way school teachers’ salaries work means that each year around 40% of them progress up a scale to the next pay point. This means that these teachers will see even greater increases in their salary this year of at least 10% and up to 17.4%.

How can I work out my new pay?

You can use a teacher pay calculator to work out what this could mean for your salary based on your current pay.

Will the teacher pay award be backdated?

Teachers will start receiving their new salary in the Autumn, after a new pay order is laid in Parliament and comes into force.

Pay will be backdated to 1 September 2023.

How was the school teacher pay award decided?

The School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) is an independent group that makes recommendations on the pay of teachers in England and reports to the Secretary of State for Education and the Prime Minister.

Each year the STRB recommends a pay award based on different factors including the economy, school workforce data and evidence from organisations including the DfE, and the teaching unions (the National Education Union, the National Association of Headteachers, the Association of School and College Leaders and NASWUT).

The Government then considers the recommendations in depth and makes a decision on what pay teachers receive for the coming year.

We know how important it is for schools to be able to plan effectively and will work to align the timing of the STRB process with the school budget cycle in future, to help with that.

Why are we publishing the STRB’s recommendations now?

We acknowledge that schools benefit from timely confirmation of the teacher pay award. However, it is important that we get the process right.

After the STRB submitted its report and recommendations to the department, the Education Secretary, as part of the normal process, carefully considered these recommendations to decide on an award for teachers which was fair and reasonable and the right decision for our economy.

This consideration took place to the same timescales as previous years. The Department then published our response in the usual way.

How will the school teacher pay award be funded?

The Government has listened to schools and head teachers and the additional funding announced today funds the full cost of the award above 3.5%, nationally. This is in recognition of the fact that many schools budgeted for a 3.5% pay increase.

We calculated that, on average, schools can afford a 4% pay award from existing budgets, following the £2 billion announced in the Autumn statement.  So the additional funding to support this pay award is higher and more generous than what our calculations tell us schools can afford.

Schools, early years and post-16 settings will receive an additional £525m in the 2023-24 financial year and £900m in the 2024-25 financial year. Our strong expectation is that all schools will use these additional funds for teacher pay as is intended.

This means the pay award is fully funded and affordable, nationally.

Where is this funding coming from?

We are reprioritising within the Department for Education’s existing budget using underspends to deliver this additional funding to schools, while protecting core budgets.

This means we are ensuring there are no cuts to core schools’ and colleges’ budgets, including SEND provision and funds for the early years' entitlements, and no cuts to allocations and programmes to address building safety. This will not affect existing or planned future skills bootcamp provision, and it will not affect our plans to scale up next year in our ambition to reach 64,000 learners.

What are we doing to encourage teachers to stay in the profession?

We want to ensure teaching remains an attractive career, which is why we are taking action to encourage teachers to stay in the profession.

To help, we will convene a workload reduction taskforce to explore how we can go further to support school and trust leaders to minimise workload.  We are also setting an ambition to reduce teacher and leader workload by five hours per week.

We also know that flexible working opportunities can help to recruit, retain and motivate teachers and leaders and help promote staff wellbeing. Last month, we appointed seven Flexible Working Ambassador multi-academy trusts and schools to offer practical advice to school leaders on implementing flexible working and we are currently in the process of recruiting more. This is part of a wider programme, funded by the department, to help embed flexible working in schools and trusts.

You can read more about how we recruit and retain teachers here.

What about further education?

We will invest £185 million in 2023-24 and £285 million in 2024-25 to drive forward skills delivery in the further education sector. This funding will help colleges and other providers to address key priorities which are of critical importance to our economic growth and prosperity.

This is in addition to the £125 million of funding we have already announced for the financial year 2023-24 to ensure 16 to 19 year olds, regardless of where they live or their background, will continue to have access to the courses and qualifications they need to go on to successful and rewarding careers.

What does the pay award mean for college teachers?

This pay award covers 16 to 19 maintained schools. Further education providers, including sixth form colleges, set their own pay and conditions – the Government does not set their pay. This funding will help colleges and other providers to address key priorities which are of critical importance to our economic growth and prosperity.

What does the pay award mean for support staff?

Many schools pay support staff according to local government pay scales.

These are set through negotiations between the Local Government Association (LGA), which represents the employer, and Local Government trade unions, which represent the employee.

We have no direct role in setting pay for support staff.

Tags: funding , pay award , public sector pay , STRB , teacher pay , teacher strikes , Teachers

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