Whatever you choose to do after College, NESCol is here to support you.
At NESCol, our courses do more than deliver qualifications – they open doors. From starting your career to studying at university, we’ll help you take the next step.
Everyone’s journey is different. Whether you have a plan in mind or are still considering your options, here are the main routes available after College.
Every year, hundreds of NESCol graduates move on to degree-level study through our strong partnerships with universities across Scotland, including Robert Gordon University (RGU) and the University of Aberdeen.
With more than 80 progression pathways to RGU alone, you’ll find a wide range of opportunities to continue your learning.
Many students move straight into rewarding careers after NESCol.
We work closely with organisations across the region to ensure our courses are shaped by real industry needs. You’ll leave College equipped with the qualifications, skills and experience that employers value.
To support your move into employment, we share job vacancies and host career events to help you find the right opportunity and prepare for the world of work.
Studying at NESCol can help you develop the skills and experience needed to progress into a Modern Apprenticeship, which enables you to earn while you learn.
Modern Apprenticeships are designed by industry for industry. They provide training which can be College or work-based over a period of up to four years, depending on the type of apprenticeship you choose.
A gap year can be a life-changing experience. It’s a chance to build your confidence, develop new skills, and gain valuable experiences, while taking the time to reflect on what you want to do next.
To get the most out of a gap year, it’s important to plan well and research your options.
Whatever direction you choose to take after NESCol, we would love to hear about it!
Please keep in touch and let us know your good news. This could be anything from securing a job, graduating from university, winning an award or returning to College to learn new skills.
You can contact us by emailing marketing@nescol.ac.uk
“My classmates are guys you can talk to. They’re all fishermen, and after a week everyone knew each other.”
“My time at NESCol pushed me to develop skills I didn’t realise I had and encouraged real collaboration with my peers. It also gave me the space to grow in confidence and figure out how I work best creatively. For anyone considering returning to study, my advice is simple: take the leap!”
“I would strongly reassure any student that there are many different pathways to success, and there isn’t a single ‘correct’ route. Choosing the path that suits you best is what matters most.”
“I chose this programme because it has very good potential and there are a lot of different branches you can take and types of ships to work on.”
“I absolutely would recommend NESCol. It was the best thing I ever did.”
“Being at sea was amazing! I loved every minute of being out there.”
“Project SEARCH was a great way for me to gain more experience and skills on my journey to employment”.
“This course has helped me tremendously. You all helped me find out what type of work I enjoy and helped me figure out the person I want to be.”
“NESCol has given me a really good grounding – I’ve even managed to go on to win a national competition!”
“I enjoyed learning more about the fashion industry, studying topics such as fashion history and visual merchandising.”