Your Future

Further information on what happens after successfully completing your College course

When it comes to leaving College and moving on – whether that is to continue with your education elsewhere or at university, or whether you are progressing directly into work – North East Scotland College has various arrangements in place to ensure you have the support you need.

University Links

On completing your course at North East Scotland College, you may decide that university is the next step for you. Depending on the course you have studied, you could gain direct entry into year two or three of a degree programme. This is something that many students aspire to, so the College has developed strong links with universities across the Scotland.

Find out more

Getting into Work

Many students progress to work or further education upon completion of a course at North East Scotland College, but there are lots of other options you can consider.

Keep in Touch

We urge past students to keep in touch and update us on further achievements. If you have something you’d like to share then please let us know – it could be anything from securing employment, completing a university degree, winning a competition or award or returning to College!

Gap Years

A Gap Year is an excellent opportunity to develop your personal skills and can be a positive and life-changing experience. It should be well-planned and well thought out, structured and relevant to your future plans. If successful, it can help inform decisions relevant to your future career.

Ensure that you research your options, are aware of possible costs involved and seek advice on the suitability and reliability of the companies offering Gap Year opportunities. Useful websites include:

Gap Advice
Website: www.gapadvice.org

GapGurU
Website: www.gapguru.com

Gapwork
Website: www.gapwork.com

VSO
Website: www.vsointernational.org

Worldwide Volunteering
Website: www.wwv.org.uk

Year Out Group
Website: www.yearoutgroup.org

Beata Tetkowska

Computing

HND Technologies in Business

“I would definitely recommend NESCol to everyone who wants to study computing. No matter what age, or if this is their first course, or – if like me – you want to change your career. It’s a very friendly environment, well quipped when it comes to computing facilities and – most importantly – with very, very supportive and highly knowledgeable lecturers.”

Oliwia Lewicka

Modern Apprenticeship

Hairdressing

“When you go into hairdressing at first it may seem very easy. Although you don’t need qualifications it is so much harder than it looks. It’s commitment, it’s hard work, it’s remembering, it’s being creative, it’s always knowing what you want as a finished look. As long as you are prepared for this then I would encourage anyone to go for it.”

Madison Gillan

Modern Apprenticeship

Hairdressing

“Apart from the obvious of learning how to deal with people professionally, it has also helped me on a personal level with my own self-confidence.”

Lisa Shaw

Modern Apprenticeship

Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering

“As a mature student and a home owner I have been able to work and learn at the same time – if I had returned to full time education then I would have struggled financially. I came away from school with few qualifications and didn’t think that I would go back into education. I always wanted to, but never really had the confidence. This has shown me that I have a huge potential for learning and it’s given me more interest to pick up learning again in the future.”

Greig Johnston

Modern Apprenticeship

Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering

“For me the benefits of an apprenticeship are that you get hands-on practical experience compared to someone studying at Uni. I’m also earning a wage rather than racking up debt.”

Rebekka McLaughlin

Modern Apprenticeship

Logistics Operations

“I wanted a qualification that would prove and support my ability. I chose Logistics Operations as this is the largest part of the role I carry out. I left school and worked my way up so it’s really nice to have a qualification that proves I’m competent in this area.”

Meghan Bruce

Modern Apprenticeship

Logistics Operations

“I would love to extend my knowledge of the transport industry in the future – perhaps extra courses or learning on the job. There’s lots of exciting possibilities. From my experience I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship. You gain a qualification at the end of it and there’s all the help and support around you to make sure you succeed.”

Conor Dickie

Modern Apprenticeship

Warehousing Modern Apprenticeship

“There have been things that I didn’t think I needed to learn about that I have learnt about! It’s helped my day job dramatically – I now feel a lot more confident in what I’m doing. “

Sean Robertson

Modern Apprenticeship

Joinery Apprenticeship (CITB)

“The beauty of a construction apprenticeship it is you can join from school, so you are earning at 16. By the time you’re 20 you’re on a full time wage compared to university which is 4 years, and then you have a traineeship.”

Amy McDonald

Modern Apprenticeship

Electrical Installation – SECTT

“When I was looking for work I tried office jobs but knew that that just wasn’t for me. When I saw the electrical apprenticeship position advertised with Aberdeenshire Council I applied and was lucky enough to be chosen.”