Here’s how you can pursue your dream career in Hospitality, by way of the UK.
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Further Education Higher EducationWhat do I need?
Further Education
Further Education is considered Level 3 education in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. The most common further education route is A-Levels but it’s not the only option. There are coursework based courses like BTEC. To pursue a Bachelors degree you must complete this stage first.
A-Levels
A-Levels are exam based courses. You can take from 3 A-Level subjects as most university courses require at least 3. For Hospitality it is worth doing an A-Level in Business and/or Social Sciences (e.g. Psychology, Sociology etc). The other A-Levels you choose are fair game. Personally, I recommend these two as:
- Social Sciences subjects study human behaviour which is directly relevant to dealing with people – in essence what Hospitality is.
- Business is useful to understand management and business decisions.
What qualifications do I need? A-level courses will usually require at least 5 IGCSEs (A*-C)/CSECs (Grades 1-3) . Mathematics and English Language passes are customarily mandatory to possess as well. It is best to check the specific requirements of the school you intend to go to as the entry requirements may differ.
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BTEC Diploma
The process of obtaining this qualification is more practical in comparison to the more theory based academic A-Level.
These qualifications are available at different levels and depending on this, the diploma can be equivalent to up to three (3) A-Levels. BTECs can be taken alongside other qualifications (such as an A-Level) and can permit entry to university.
BTEC diplomas in Business, Hospitality, Tourism etc. are among good options for subjects related to Hospitality.
What qualifications do I need? It depends on the BTEC diploma you’re pursuing. Level 3 BTEC diplomas will usually require at least 5 IGCSEs (A*-C)/CSECs (Grades 1-3). Mathematics and English Language passes are customarily mandatory to possess as well. It is best to check the specific requirements of the school you intend to go to as the entry requirements may differ.
Click here to find courses.
But what if I’m over 18 and I have no Level 3 qualifications? We got you below.
Access to Higher Education
Access to Higher Education aka Access to HE, is tailored for students aged 19+ who intend to apply for an undergraduate course. These courses take only one year, performing as a fast track to higher education.
Access to Higher Education courses in Business, Social Science etc. are among good options for subjects related to Hospitality.
What qualifications do I need? Access to HE diplomas will usually require at least 5 IGCSEs (A*-C)/CSECs (Grades 1-3). Mathematics and English Language passes are customarily mandatory to possess as well. It is best to check the specific requirements of the school you intend to go to as the entry requirements may differ.
Click here to find courses.
Higher Education
All applications to undergraduate courses are done via UCAS. Graphic design undergraduate courses can done in foundation degrees, HND or Bachelors level. Searching Hospitality courses on UCAS throws a wealthy bunch of universities for you to choose from.
With the copious choices given, it may make it difficult to decipher which is best for you.
To start narrowing it down, we suggest you first look at the entry requirements to the course and assess your existing or prospective exam/coursework results.
Next, have a look at the modules done by the university and assess if those are relevant to your career if you’ve already chosen. Also view the teaching quality at the university.
Finally, use comparative websites like Discover Uni or the Complete University Guide to compare course satisfaction and other statistics to make informed decisions.
What qualifications do I need? It varies per university but largely universities require at least 112 tariff points. Check the entry requirements per course on UCAS. Some courses have foundation entry options which allows you to gain the qualification and continue the course with lower entry requirements.
Foundation courses can also be taken if your results/points accumulated in a Level 3 qualification were not high enough to allow entry to a standard three-year Bachelors course.
Technical Routes
If you’re not interested in going the academic route to Hospitality there are various options to choose from.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships can be searched for on UCAS or the National Apprentices Service . One can find apprenticeships schemes in the UK by searching on these sites using words related to your areas of interest.
Places are limited in various areas and you will need to prove your potential with extra things such as voluhnteering. Positive attitudes, overt intrinsic motivation and excellent communication skills are a plus. This helps communication between clients to ensure an accurate product.
What qualifications do I need? Apprenticeships will usually require at least 5 IGCSEs (A*-C)/CSECs (Grades 1-3). Mathematics and English Language passes are customarily mandatory to possess as well. It is best to check the specific requirements of the apprenticeship as the requirements may differ.
Internships
Like apprenticeships, internships can be found on UCAS. Otherwise google searched for internships are worth your while.
Places are limited in various areas and you will need to prove your potential with extra things such as volunteering with charities. Positive attitudes, overt intrinsic motivation and excellent communication skills are a plus. This helps communication between clients to ensure an accurate product.
What qualifications do I need? Internships will usually require at least 5 IGCSEs (A*-C)/CSECs (Grades 1-3). Mathematics and English Language passes are customarily mandatory to possess as well. It is best to check the specific requirements of the internship as the requirements may differ.
To find out what immigration hurdles you must pass to pursue education in the UK click here. For financial 411s click here.
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