Students encouraged to take up Higher Education places at SERC

South Eastern Regional College (SERC) is calling for students to focus on their future and avail of the higher education opportunities still available right on their doorsteps.

Heather McKee, Director of Strategic Planning, Quality and Support said, “Everyone has faced massive challenges during this past year, and we recognise that the path to Higher Education has not been what anyone expected. We encourage students to focus on their future and apply for higher education programmes here at SERC. 

She added, “We offer a range of higher-level qualifications from Foundation Degree, HNC, HND, Higher Level Apprenticeships to Degree level which offer potential applicants the opportunity to study everything from Applied Sciences to Computing to Mechatronics to Sport, Exercise and Fitness close to home.  Many of our courses are accredited by Ulster University, Queen’s University Belfast and Liverpool John Moores, so they are delivered and regulated to exacting standards here at SERC.  Our course fees are more competitive; studying higher education full-time at SERC can save up to £1500 per year.   

“The standard of teaching at SERC scores well above the UK benchmark for Higher Education (National Student Survey 2020) and our higher education students have an achievement rate of 94%.  Classes are smaller, and we know our students place great value on this more personal learning experience.”

Gaining a university degree right on your doorstep made sense to SERC student Caitlyn Dunlop (21) from Bangor, who was recently awarded a First on the Liverpool John Moores BA (Hons) in Business Studies (now BSc Business Management). She said, “I would recommend coming to SERC for higher education. My degree is accredited by Liverpool John Moores University and the exact same content is delivered in SERC as in Liverpool. It’s a degree, so there is plenty of work and you have to keep up the standard demanded to graduate.   The modules and overall course content give a robust understanding of the pertinent areas of business today.”

Speaking about studying at College she said, “I particularly enjoyed the smaller classes and the style of teaching.   You are not just a face in a hall and the smaller numbers allow for more open discussion and you soon get to know everyone on the course.   I have made some fantastic friends and found the tutors supportive and helpful and the atmosphere in the College relaxed and comfortable.  Plus, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved in different aspects of the College through the very active Students’ Union.”

She added, “Right now I am following the Grads Get Social programme, fully funded by the Department for the Economy through SERC. This will bring an OCN Level 4 in Social Media and Digital Marketing and a CMI Stakeholder Management qualification. The course includes an 8-week placement with Glow, a charity and social enterprise in Belfast which focusses on empowering females from the age of 10 upwards.”

Speaking about her future, Caitlyn said, “I am planning to work in the digital marketing sector and am submitting applications and preparing myself for a full-time career. In the future, I might start my own business. No doubt, I will continue with some part time study to add to my qualifications. Learning doesn’t end with a degree, learning is life-long - that’s the ethos you pick up at SERC.”

Apply online for Higher Education courses commencing September 2021. Download our Higher Education Prospectus to find out how you could be part of the next generation of professionals #BetterOffAtSERC #OnlineAndOpenForBusiness Find us on Facebook, search SERC.  

Pictured above: First Class Higher Education: Gaining a university degree right on your doorstep made sense to SERC student Caitlyn Dunlop, who was recently awarded a First in the Liverpool John Moores BA (Hons) in Business Studies (now BSc Business Management) at the College where she saved on fees, and enjoyed a more supportive and relaxed higher education at SERC.  The College is still accepting applications for Higher Education programmes commencing September 2021.