Need Skills? – Continuing Education Courses Are a Fast, Flexible Alternative to Bachelor’s Degrees

Need Skills? - Continuing Education Courses Are a Fast, Flexible Alternative to Bachelor's Degrees

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Kristina Ogilvie already had a Bachelor’s in English and a Master’s in Humanities under her belt when she discovered an unknown talent and passion for graphic design. So rather than begin a four-year Bachelor’s program, she did the smart thing: she enrolled in a continuing education course.

For professionals like Ogilvie who are looking to enter a new field, continuing education classes are an attractive option in a tough economy. Not only are they faster and less expensive than Bachelor’s programs, but they often allow students to continue working while they gain the skills they need to make a career change. (Some courses are even offered online.)

In Ogilvie’s case, this new career will be one in which she can build on the graphic design talent she discovered in her current position as Department Assistant at Northwestern University. To complete graphic design projects that her department needed, Ogilvie taught herself the basics of Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and other essential graphic design programs. She hopes that the survey design course and Adobe Illustrator courses she enrolled in at The School of the Art Institute will take her to the next level.

“With these classes I’ll actually learn everything the tools can do, and how to make things look the way I want them to. I’m basically hoping to improve on what little knowledge I have of the creative suite, as well as think more like a designer and somehow be able to channel the rather far out ideas I usually have into more tangible, realistic designs. ” Ogilvie added.

These skills will also help her compete with other graphic designers in an economy that’s still on its way to recovery. And she’s not the only one using continuing education classes to further her career. A winter 2010 survey of …

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All About University Foundation Courses

All About University Foundation Courses

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If your first language is not English but you wish to student at a UK university, a University Foundation course is an excellent step towards getting you where you want to be.

Even if your English skills are good, a University Foundation course will also improve the academic and research skills which are essential for higher education in the UK. The aim of university access courses is to ensure that students are prepared in all ways for UK higher education – that includes both linguistically and psychologically. Preparing in this way means that students are then able to make the absolute most of their degree course or MA in the UK.

Courses are available which are tailored for an undergraduate degree or an MA and the programmes are split into language skills and academic skills.

Undergraduate university foundation courses are aimed at those wishing to enter undergraduate arts, science or humanities courses. MA access courses are aimed at students wishing to study at postgraduate level in the UK. Both programmes include a focus on research and academic writing but these skills feature even more heavily on the MA prep course.

Foundation course features

These are the types of things you can expect on a university foundation course:

  • IELTS preparation. You will be able to sit the exam up to three times.
  • Seminars including academic and cultural topics
  • Guest speakers
  • One-to-one tutorials with regular chances to discuss your progress
  • Facilities to study independently as often as you like
  • Placement services

University foundation courses FAQs

How many people will be in my class?

There should be a maximum of 12 students in your class. Often there will only be 8 or 10.

How long do the courses last?

Courses can last between one term and three terms. One term lasts …

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