he news photoStudents across Northamptonshire awaiting their A level results this week have been urged to consider staying closer to home with an alternative to university that could save them thousands of pounds.

Smaller class sizes, flexible study options and significant cost savings were highlighted by Pat Brennan-Barrett, principal of Northampton College.

She said: Higher education courses at Northampton College save you at least a third in tuition fees. Going to university is expensive so we urge students to look closely at our HE provision, a much more practical alternative to university which enables people to keep costs down by studying closer to home.

Our course fees are much lower, with the cost of a two-year full-time HND set at just £6,165 per year compared with up to £9,250 for a university course. Students will still have the opportunity to convert the qualification into a degree with one further year of study, so you can still work towards the career of your choice.

The average distance between the home postcode and the classroom for college students in HE is 15 miles, compared with 53 miles for those attending a university.

Choosing an HE program at Northampton College also brings other advantages. The class sizes are smaller and there are flexible study options, including part-time courses, which means students can combine work and study and juggle work or family commitments.

Northampton College's HE options, which include HNCs, HNDs, and apprenticeships, enable students to develop hands-on professional and technical skills. Some students will be returning to education or already at work and keen to progress in their career.

Mrs Brennan-Barrett added: Employability skills are at the heart of what we teach, and we place great emphasis on guiding students towards exciting and fulfilling careers.