Enrolment is now open – don’t forget to bring your ID! If you haven’t yet applied, give us a call on 01462 424242 (option 2) to start your journey.

Progressing to University

Did you know you can apply to university after college?

A Levels aren’t the only route to university – you can also apply to an undergraduate degree after completing a T Level or Level 3 BTEC course.

Degrees can be a great way to take your learning further, and can also help you start your future career. We’ve put together some resources and frequently asked questions to help you make a confident decision about applying to university – check them out:

HE Unlocked – for NHC students

29th September, 9:30am – 1pm | Hitchin Campus

Level 3 NHC students will be off-timetable on September 30th to take part in our university-level study event.

We’ll be joined on campus by a range of universities for workshops about university life, student finance, and the UCAS application process. Students will also have the chance to explore study options in more detail by visiting pop-up stands and talking to university staff.

If you have any questions about this event, please contact your course tutor or Student Services.

UCAS clearing for September 2026 entries opens:

2nd July 2026

Got a question about applying to university?

We’ve created a video answering the most frequently asked questions about university and degrees, to give you the information you need to make a confidence decision about your next steps.

Watch the video

Where to go for further help about applying to university

If you have further questions about university or the application process, we recommend visiting the UCAS website or chatting to your tutor and careers advisor.

Did you know NHC also offers degree-level study?

North Hertfordshire College is part of the University of Hertfordshire’s Consortium, meaning you can start your undergraduate journey in a familiar setting. We currently offer degree-level study in Computing, Science, and Sports & Exercise Science.

You’ll experience the best of both worlds by being both an NHC student and a University of Hertfordshire student, including access to the University of Hertfordshire’s facilities and the option to apply for UH’s on-campus accommodation.

With lower fees than a standard undergraduate course, NHC’s university-level courses are an affordable option for local students.

University-level study at NHC

Frequently asked questions about studying at university

You can make up to 5 choices through a UCAS application. You’ll need to include a personal statement, references, and may need a portfolio. Your tutors or career advisors can assist you in this process.

You can apply to the same university multiple times for different courses. Each course uses one of your five choices.

For more information about the UCAS application process, please visit UCAS’ official guide.

UCAS application guide

You should consider the location, facilities, and opportunities on offer at the university or college where you would be studying your degree. Living costs, fees, bursaries, and scholarships are also important factors to consider.

We recommend you explore university-life and degrees as a whole, too. You can find out more about this by applying for taster days and taster courses, attending open days and webinars, speaking to your tutors, or dropping in to Student Services and talking to a careers advisor.

To help you choose which university course you should study, we recommend:

  • Speaking to someone you know who has been to university
  • Talking to your tutors or careers advisors
  • Using the UCAS website to explore courses on offer.

When researching courses, we recommend you pay attention to entry requirements, the structure of the course (including module topics), time spent in lectures and seminars, how you will be assessed, the length of the course, and whether placements are included. This information can help you work out whether the course is a good match for your goals and learning style.

Student Finance covers tuition fees and provides support for living costs through loans which you can apply for. You’ll then repay the loan as a small percentage of your income once you start earning a particular salary. For students starting university after September 2023 (on Plan 5), this repayment threshold is £25,000. 40 years after you graduate, any remaining debt will be paid off.

You can find out more about repayments by visiting Student Finance England’s website.

Higher education is an investment in your future – not just for employment, but also for confidence, independence, knowledge and skills, connections for the future, and the chance to build a career path doing what you love.

Yes, in general, but a degree will not automatically lead to improved career success. Your degree subject, the industry you choose, your work experience, and your employability skills also matter to employers.

Many former North Hertfordshire College students have gone on to university before starting successful careers as freelancers, business owners, or working for companies such as the BBC, Apple, ASOS, Spotify, and PWC.

The research backs this up, too:

  • Graduates aged over 30 are also more likely to be in work than those without a degree.
  • Graduate earnings typically increase at a faster rate than those of non-graduates (people who do not have a degree). Between the ages of 23 and 31, average earnings grow by 72% for graduates compared to 31% for non-graduates.
  • For those who were previously on Free School Meals, average graduate earnings growth is 75% compared to 26% for non-graduates.

Sources: Universities UK News, 2025, Graduate Employment Outcomes, Universities UK, 2024) 

We recommend using the following resources to help you prepare for your young person going to university: