Higher Education

Foundation Degrees (completed in two years full-time, or three years part-time) combine hands on practical learning with academic study which can later be topped up to a full degree. All Foundation Degrees are accredited by the Ulster University, Queen’s University Belfast or the Open University and all have direct articulated pathways to honours degrees at each respective university.

Alternatively, Higher National Diplomas and Higher National Certificates focus on ‘learning by doing', providing skills that can be used in a particular job. They are highly valued by employers and can also count towards membership of professional bodies and other employer organisations.

There are other reasons why many students opt to study at their local college. As well as the extensive range of courses, many students prefer the smaller class numbers, and the benefit of added individual hours with lecturers and tutors. Studying an undergraduate course at SWC is also a more affordable option, with much lower tuition frees, and students have to option to live at home, reducing the substantial living and maintenance costs that come with moving away.

Quality Higher Education

South West College sides itself on offering only the highest quality higher education qualifications. Check out how we ensure the qualification you're aiming towards is assured.

View Higher Education Policies and Procedures

Higher Education Finance

The Student Learning Support Officers are here to help ensure you have applied for all the available funding, as well as accessing benefits you may be entitled to.

Learn more

SWC Higher Education Scholarship Awards 2023-24

The College has a number of scholarship initiatives which full-time Higher Education students can apply for.

Learn more

Study Locally for your Top-Up Degree

Top up degrees are a brilliant option if you are looking to enhance your existing subject knowledge, skills and understanding further, as well as improve your employability prospects or go on to postgraduate study.

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Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)

If you feel you have covered the content of a module/ modules via your work/ life experience, APEL is a way to provide the evidence to show this and to gain credit for it.

Find out more

SWC also focuses time and energy into improving the health and wellbeing of students, recognising the positive impact this can have on study and future success. The college’s thriving student services facilities offers a number of extracurricular activities as well as advice and support on careers, student finance, safeguarding, learning support and equality.

At SWC we encourage students to aim further, go higher and study local, and we can provide a range of options designed to kick start your journey to graduation or employment, no matter what grades you receive or what path you want to follow.

The College has a number of scholarship initiatives which full-time Higher Education students can apply for in the academic year 2023/24.

South West College Scholarships and Bursaries

The College has a number of scholarship initiatives which full-time HE students can apply for in the academic year 2023/24. For more information read through the information below or speak to your Course Tutor.

Scholarships & Bursaries

: The Strickland Scholarship is offered to students in SWC, in conjunction with Strickland. Bursaries are for available to eligible students enrolled on an Honours Degree, Foundation Degree or HND/C in Engineering.

Value: £2,500 each.
: Scholarships may be awarded to five students enrolled on programmes that are aligned to the following disciplines:
Geology and associated disciplines
Civil Engineering
Environmental Sciences
Business Administration
IT and Health and Safety

Value: £1,000 each

Application materials are available to download on the Dalradian website or by telephoning 028 8164 7799 or email pmckenna@dalradian.com
: Scholarships are available to part-time and full-time undergraduate students enrolled on eligible Higher Education programmes that are aligned to the following disciplines:
Construction
Engineering
Computing
Business

Value: Individual awards equate to 50% of the course tuition fees and will vary between courses and mode of study. To apply, download an application form from the SSE Website.
: As part of the College’s Widening Access and Participating Plan, the College offers three scholarships to pupils from local feeder schools. The scholarships are awarded as a fee waiver for full-time courses in Computing, Visual Media Arts and Corporate Law and Finance, over three years.

Value: Up to £14,130 over three years.

For information, eligibility and application guidance click here...
: The CITB Built Environment Award is worth £1,000. Last year 3 students from SWC were successful in receiving this award. The CITB Built Environment Award is based on an application form and meeting certain BTEC criteria.

You can find out more here
: The Institution of Civil Engineers Quest Technician Scholarship is worth £1,000. Last year, 6 students from SWC were successful. This Scholarship is awarded based on a detailed questionnaire/application form followed by a rigorous interview, if short-listed. This is a significant achievement for SWC, putting the college on a par with the total awarded to ALL the colleges in the Greater London Region of the Institution. To find out more about the QUEST Scholarship, you can visit apprenticeship
: The Gary Bennett Scholarship has been created to honour Gary’s memory and foster a passion for sustainability for another generation of students. The Gary Bennett Scholarship will be awarded annually to the top performing student who wishes to study the Open University Bachelor of Engineering Honours or Foundation Degree in Building Services with Sustainable Energy at South West College.
: The BlueMAC Scholarship is offered to an SWC student in conjunction with BlueMAC Manufacturing. Bursaries are offered to two apprentices who have completed year one of the Higher Level Apprenticeship in Manufacturing Engineering at SWC (Dungannon Campus).

Value: £1,000 each.
: The Powerscreen Scholarship is offered to a SWC student in conjunction with TEREX. The bursary is offered to one apprentice who has completed year one of the Higher Level Apprenticeship in Manufacturing Engineering at SWC (Dungannon Campus).

Value: £1,000.
: The College offers a bursary scheme to students undertaking Higher Education study. Bursaries are means-tested and designed to assist students with course-related costs such as books, equipment, childcare and travel.

Bursaries are valued at approximately 10% of student fees.

For information, please contact ciara.chisholm@swc.ac.uk

At South West College we pride ourselves on student focus, superb facilities, industry engagement and accessibility for all.

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