Are you thinking about going to college after school? If you’ve just left school, you may be searching for ‘courses’, but you may have noticed that the traditional ‘college course’ is now being referred to as a ‘study programme’. These aim to help you become more employable after college.
If you have an older sibling or a friend that has taken a college course, they might tell you that their course focussed heavily on the technical and professional skills you need to succeed in the job after you qualify. However, they may not have focussed on the technical and professional skills involved, such as interview preparation and personal development.
What’s more, past students may not have had to take English and maths modules or be taught related skills such as cashing up tills or drawing up invoices. Study programmes are designed to help you develop a rounded set of employability skills to better prepare you for life after college.
Understanding the difference between a study program and a course is essential before you make educational decisions. To help you understand the difference in a better way, I've divided two parts with an explanation of their advantages:
Study Program advantages:
- Comprehensive Learning: Study programs, also known as degree programs or educational tracks, offer you a comprehensive and structured approach to learning. They cover a broad range of topics within a particular field and aim to provide a well-rounded education.
- Duration: Study programs are longer in duration compared to individual courses. They can span several years and involve the completion of multiple courses, leading to a degree, diploma, or certification.
- Progression: Study programs typically have a predefined curriculum that guides you through a sequence of courses. There's often a logical progression from foundational to advanced topics. They ensure you get a thorough understanding of the subject matter.
- Depth of Knowledge: Study programs delve deeper into subjects in comparison to courses. It benefits you by allowing you to develop a deeper understanding of theories, concepts, and practical applications within a specific field.
- Credential: Successfully completing a study program will result in earning a recognized degree or certification, which can carry significant weight in the job market and academia.
- Specialisation: Study programs often offer the opportunity to specialise in a particular area within a broader field. It helps you focus on their specific interests and career goals.
Comprehensive Learning: Study programs, also known as degree programs or educational tracks, offer you a comprehensive and structured approach to learning. They cover a broad range of topics within a particular field and aim to provide a well-rounded education.
Duration: Study programs are longer in duration compared to individual courses. They can span several years and involve the completion of multiple courses, leading to a degree, diploma, or certification.
Progression: Study programs typically have a predefined curriculum that guides you through a sequence of courses. There's often a logical progression from foundational to advanced topics. They ensure you get a thorough understanding of the subject matter.
Depth of Knowledge: Study programs delve deeper into subjects in comparison to courses. It benefits you by allowing you to develop a deeper understanding of theories, concepts, and practical applications within a specific field.
Credential: Successfully completing a study program will result in earning a recognized degree or certification, which can carry significant weight in the job market and academia.
Specialisation: Study programs often offer the opportunity to specialise in a particular area within a broader field. It helps you focus on their specific interests and career goals.
Course advantages:
- Focused Learning: A course is a single unit of instruction that focuses on a specific topic, subject, or skill, which means it offers targeted learning in a particular area. You won't have to learn what's not relevant to your niche.
- Duration: Courses are relatively shorter in duration compared to study programs. They can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. It makes them more flexible for you if you're seeking to acquire specific skills or knowledge quickly.
- Customization: Courses are often more customizable. It means you can choose topics that align with their immediate learning needs or career goals.
- Immediate Application: Since courses are focused on practical skills, the knowledge you gain through them is applicable directly to real-world situations. It makes them beneficial for those looking for quick skill enhancement.
- Credential: Upon completing a course, participants may receive a certificate of completion. While not as extensive as a degree, these certificates can still demonstrate skills and commitment to learning.
- Skill Enhancement: Courses are ideal for acquiring targeted skills or knowledge to address specific needs or to update existing knowledge in a rapidly changing field.
