Higher education (HE) is learning after age 18 at universities and other colleges. It includes degrees and professional qualifications.
Higher Education is an option that some consider straight away upon leaving further education, whilst others may choose to wait some years before commencing a course. There is also an option of achieving higher education qualifications through degree apprenticeships. Different post-sixteen and post-eighteen pathways may ask for different entry requirements depending on the course and/or college.
Some people take a gap year before starting higher education. They might work, volunteer or travel during this time.
Many students move away for university. This means managing food, money, health, and accommodation. Some choose a university close to home and travel each day. There is also the option of a university that offers courses run with colleges in Greater Manchester such as Bury College, Holy Cross or Manchester College. Some students choose distance learning where they can both live and work in their home and use the internet to take part in learning.
EHC plans will cease if a young person accepts a place at university. You need to talk to your university about support for your needs.
Local University Support
Each university has Learning Support offer for students with different needs. Their team can help if you have a learning difficulty, disability, medical condition, or language need. This can include for example specialist academic support, study centres, sensory rooms, and support applying for Disabled Student’s Allowance. Find out more about the support at universities closest to Bury.
- Manchester University – Disability, Advisory and Support Service
- Manchester Metropolitan University – Disability Support
- Salford University – Disability Inclusion Service
- Greater Manchester University – Services for Disabled Students
- Royal Northern College of Music – RNCM Health and Wellbeing Hub
- University Academy 92 – Wellbeing and Support
- UCEN Manchester (Manchester College) – Disability Support
- BPP University – Learning Support
- Bury College – How We Support You
- Holy Cross University Centre – Support for Learning
- Open University (remote learning) – Disability
Starting university
Going to university can be a wonderful and exciting experience, but it can also bring its own unique challenges. It's natural to feel nervous or overwhelmed during the first few weeks.
It's important to look after your health when moving away from home for the first time, our main advice is: take care of yourself.
On this page we’ve got some tips and advice to help you during this important time.
When you go to university, you won't have an EHCP anymore. Instead, there are other ways to help you. You can get Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs), which are grants that don’t need to be paid back. These grants help cover extra costs because of your disability, like special equipment, travel, and helpers like sign language interpreters.
The government pays people to figure out what support you need and recommend it for you. DSAs can help pay for:
• Special equipment, like computers
• Travel costs
• Non-medical helpers, like sign language interpreters
For more details, you can check the DSA finance guide.Also, if you qualify for help under the Care Act, Adult Social Care can assist with daily living and personal care costs while you're in higher education.