The value of higher education for adults
Higher education holds significant value in today’s society, serving as a gateway to growth – personally, professionally, economically and socially.
Whether aiming for promotion, changing careers, or simply exploring new options, continuing or restarting your education as an adult provides the skills needed to stay competitive.
University Centre Rotherham, our dedicated higher education centre, can help you upskill with a range of high quality, valuable lifelong learning courses.
Why go back to education?
Higher education (HE) isn’t just about books and lectures. It’s a powerful tool for personal growth, career development, and financial security. A university-level qualification can:
- Help you earn more over your lifetime
- Boost your confidence and communication skills
- Open doors to new industries and job roles
- Make you more competitive in a fast-changing job market
And in a world where industries and technologies are evolving rapidly, higher education has never been as valuable.
By 2035, nearly nine in 10 new jobs will require a HE qualification. However, in South Yorkshire, less than a third of working age adults have one.
Adults are starting to realise the need to keep updating their skills and knowledge. In 2024, almost 110,000 adults enrolled onto a higher education course, choosing to invest in their futures.
What’s so valuable about HE?
We know that employers are seeking candidates who not only have industry specific qualifications, technical competency and up-to-date knowledge that higher education provides, but also the adaptability and pursuit of continuous learning.
Having a higher education qualification to your name can help you enter the workforce at a higher grade, improve your chances of being promoted faster, and see you earn significantly more than those without.
For those looking to switch careers, higher education can provide the credentials and knowledge needed to make that transition smoother.
Benefits beyond earnings
Higher education is not just about learning academically. It teaches you so many other invaluable life skills.
Doing a higher education course pushes you to think deeply, analyse issues, and find creative solutions, all while putting your time management skills to the test. Studying at level 4 or above can equip you with many more transferable skills that are beneficial in all areas of work life: written and verbal communication, teamwork, research skills, time management.
It’s also a great social experience. You’ll make connections, build your confidence, and find your community at University Centre Rotherham.
For many people, higher education is a way to rise above economic hardship and create new opportunities for themselves and future generations.
Plus, there are no words to describe the pride and joy you’ll feel on graduation day when you put your cap and gown on and collect that piece of paper you’ve worked so hard for.
Affordable and accessible education
Most adult learners are balancing jobs, families, or both. If you’re an adult going back into education, you’re probably looking for key things like flexible learning options, affordable study programmes, and a more supportive environment.
University Centre Rotherham ticks all those boxes and more. It opens a world of possibilities in an inclusive and welcoming environment where everyone is one team.
Alongside traditional degrees, we’re are seeing an increasing demand for alternative pathways like vocational training and degree apprenticeships.
That’s why we offer:
- Condensed timetables (one or two days a week)
- Evening and part-time courses
- Online and blended learning options
- Modular courses that you can start any time and build at your own pace
Courses range from vocational qualifications like HNCs and HNDs to foundation degrees, apprenticeships, and full bachelor’s and master’s programmes.
Find our full list of courses here
All of our HE qualifications are accredited by partner universities including Sheffield Hallam University, the University of Hull and the University of Huddersfield, giving you access to top-quality courses closer to home.
They’re also designed with employability in mind, having partnered with some of the region’s most influential employers to look at how best they can fill those skills gaps in different industries.
Whichever course option you choose, it will be delivered in a supportive, close-knit environment within our modern campus, not massive lecture halls where you’re just a number.
Studying at University Centre Rotherham also offers more value for money than bigger universities. Course fees are significantly lower than the average university; full-time courses are between £6,900 – £7,600 a year and part-time courses up to £4,750 a year compared to the national average of £9,250 a year.
And a many learners live at home while doing their degree or HE course, they save on maintenance loans or living costs which can be a big chunk of student debt.
Pick and mix learning with HN Flex
If you’re not ready for a full course, the new HN Flex option could be your perfect fit. It’s a flexible way to study just one or two modules that boost your skills – like leadership or project management – without committing to a full qualification (yet).
- Choose from over 40 modules
- Study online, in person, or both
- Complete in 3 to 12 months
- Start any time during the year
You’ll earn credits that count toward a full qualification if you decide to continue later on. It’s ideal for upskilling, CPD, or testing the waters before jumping into a full course.
What learners find valuable about University Centre Rotherham
“You aren’t just a number here, you’re a person,” says photography graduate Sofia Bell. She commuted from Swindon to study at University Centre Rotherham because of the personal support and smaller class sizes.
“You aren’t alone in it, and I think that’s what differs this place from a traditional university.”
“I’m lucky to have studied somewhere where learning was so easily accessible,” says Beth Hall, who completed a PGCE on a part-time basis while working full-time. She appreciated being able to study in the evenings on her doorstep in Rotherham.
“If I’d gone elsewhere, would I have been able to get there in time after work? Or would I have had to use my annual leave to do a daytime course?”
“I now have the qualifications I need to progress to the next level,” says Rotherham healthcare worker, Daisy Leese. Doing a level 5 apprenticeship through University Centre Rotherham has enabled Daisy to advance in her career without sacrificing her job in the NHS.
“At work I am now more confident, take the lead on managing some shifts and allocate staff to tasks as well as managing my own case load. I also now teach other grades of staff such as midwives and medical staff in the skills of cannulation.”
Ready to take the first step?
Higher education isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey – and it’s never too late to start. Whether you want a full degree, a professional qualification, or just to learn something new, there’s a path for you.
So if you’re wondering whether ‘piece of paper’ is really worth it, the answer is yes. It could change your career, your confidence, and your entire future.
Want help finding the right course or qualification?
Contact us and ask to speak to a careers advisor at University Centre Rotherham today and take that first step toward something bigger.