We’ve put together some FAQs that answer the questions we get asked the most.
With different types of courses available across several different providers, it can be confusing to work out what “Level” of qualification you hold. The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) maps this out, and helps demonstrate the Level from National 1 awards right through to a PhD. This framework can also be used when considering Access courses.
You can also find information on other UK qualifications and International qualifications on the UCAS website.
Qualification names have changed over time – from Ordinary Grades, to Standard Grades to National level. To help work out what your qualification meant and would now be referred to then you can visit this flow chart provided by the SCQF.
If you have no qualifications but are looking to re-enter education or look for a job, there are various routes available to you. Depending on what you are looking to study you could study for a Nat 5 or Higher-level qualifications at College, take an Access course at University or College, or consider a variety of options offered by Third Sector Organisations that support you towards employment.
Here’s a few links below that might be of use.
University of Aberdeen - Online Access Courses
North East Scotland College - List of Courses
North East Scotland College - Engineering Bridger
In order to support students from the widest range of backgrounds, Universities and Colleges have a range of resources and processes in place to support applications from students who fulfil a range of different demographic criteria. If you identify with any of the categories below, then please visit the webpages of each Institution for more information on what support may be available to you.
Applicants who are:
North East Scotland College
Accessibility at North East Scotland College
Scottish Wider Access Programme - SWAP
Robert Gordon University
Access RGU
University of Aberdeen
Widening Access Criteria
Contexualised Admissions Policy
There are several different ways that you might wish to work towards a degree, and one of those ways is by combining some time at College and then at University. Typically, this is done as 2+2 years, where you’ll complete a HND at College, and then progress to the 3rd year of a University degree to complete year 3 and 4. You can also move from a HNC – one year of College study, into Year 2 of University in some cases.
Studying in this way can offer you different benefits. It may suit you if you’re not quite ready for University life and would prefer a setting more similar to School, or if you haven’t quite gained the grades you need to enter straight into University.
This route of study isn’t available for every course or programme, but detailed information can be found on the options at each Institution below.
There are support functions in place to support articulation, with advice and information available on how to apply and in some pathways associate student status being offered at the partner University to ease the transition.
In Scotland you can study three different types of apprenticeships, at three different levels. Whilst still in School you may have the option of studying a Foundation Apprenticeship alongside your Highers, over one or two years, depending on the Apprenticeship. These qualifications involve spending time in a work environment alongside School, and lead to an award at the same level as a Higher and can be used to progress to a Modern Apprenticeship or Graduate Apprenticeship. Further information on Foundation Apprenticeships can be found on the Apprenticeships.scot webpage.
Modern Apprenticeship’s continue to offer a work based learning education, where you will be employed by a company to learn whilst you work, with a certain amount of days spent in a College environment learning additional skills and knowledge. Whilst you can progress from School to an MA, there are schemes available that recognise prior learning and work. More information for electricians can be found here. For additional information on Modern Apprenticeships visit Apprenticeships.scot.
A Graduate Apprenticeship is offered at the same level as a University degree, but again, you are employed by an organisation, with release to study at specific intervals. There can often be a route from either a Foundation Apprenticeship or even a Modern Apprenticeship into a Graduate Apprenticeship offering progression of skills, education and knowledge through a formal process. Please visit Apprenticeships.scot for more information on where, and in what disciplines Graduate Apprenticeships are offered.
Depending on whether you have studied before, where you live and how long you have lived there, and other factors, there may be options available to assist you with funding. Different types and lengths of courses cost different amounts of money. There can be funding available from Institutions, Scottish Government, from the Scottish Awards Agency Scotland, or sometimes from private organisations.
Each Institution offers information on the funding required and opportunities at their Institution.
If you are from England, you can access more information from the following organisations:
There are lots of different ways that people can study – you can study some courses in person, attending classes, often throughout the day or in an evening, or sometimes you can study a course online, fitting in your studies around your commitments. Different types of courses take different lengths of time. For example, if you chose to study a Degree in Engineering, typically you might be expected to study for 4 or 5 years, attending mostly in person between 9 am and 5 pm. This would be classed as “full time” study. However, you could also choose to study the same Degree on a part time basis, where there may be some online options, but still mostly in person, and it would take between 8-10 years to complete a full degree.
Apprenticeships can also vary in length, depending on the level and type of apprenticeship course. This could vary from one to three or four years. More information is available in the “What is an apprenticeship?” FAQ.
Upskilling or reskilling courses, are typically what we refer to as “standalone” and often offered online, or in the evenings, and would be classed as part time study. These are usually completed in a short block of teaching, perhaps 6-10 weeks.
Whether you study full or part time, can also have an impact on how much you pay for fees, and whether you are eligible for funding or scholarships.
When looking at a particular course, make sure you check out the different types of delivery and “modes” of study and look out for the difference in fees.
Energy Career Pathways is a pilot, so please check back in the future to see additional jobs and pathways.
Working in energy is accessible to anyone but is a wide-reaching industry with so many different aspects to learn about. You don’t have to be an engineer, or work in a trade, hold a degree, or have prior experience. There are many types of energy companies and organisations, with lots of different job roles within each. If you are driven and interested, then you are on the right path to finding a new and exciting role.
There are many careers in environmental and planning roles, and even renewables require people with geology and geography backgrounds. There are jobs for people who undertake bird (ornithology) and marine surveys, and lawyers are required for many different jobs including developing new operations, making sure all regulatory requirements are followed and in contracts.
Companies and organisations still need people to manage their finances and human resources, as well as business processes and business development.
Oil rigs and offshore renewable assets require people to work offshore. The boats and rigs need chefs, cleaners, riggers, doctors and health and safety staff to look after the people on board. Transport and logistics require pilots and drivers, maintenance and ground staff.
Nearly every company has an aspect of digital technology in their day-to-day running. This can vary from office IT through to cutting-edge digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Digital Twins opening a world of opportunity to people interested in digital technologies.
Use LinkedIn to grow your network and explore My World of Work for more information on different energy careers not currently included in the Energy Career Pathways pilot.
The pathways to the jobs are examples of routes that you could take that could lead you to an entry level job within that typical career path. Appointment to a job is usually following an application and interview process. This will require a candidate to demonstrate the skills and knowledge required in that job advert and to demonstrate a variety of employability and meta skills. These could include teamwork, problem solving, time management, communication and digital skills.
People may choose to work to progress within a career path. For example, taking a graduate level position and after undertaking time in the role, and possibly additional training, progress to more senior positions.
Others may reach a point within a role and either look to transition sideways to a different type of position within a similar area, or transition away entirely to a new role.
Progression can take time and it may mean looking for opportunities in different organisations, or even different industries to progress your career.
Some jobs need you to have “Industry Qualifications”. Sometimes an employer will put you through those qualifications, and in other circumstances you could choose to do those qualifications to enhance your employability.
The following sources can provide more information on those types of qualifications.
Information is correct at the time of publication and subject to change. Course availability and entry requirements may vary between institutions and may be withdrawn or changed at any time without notice. Courses, pathways, and job profiles shown here are illustrative only and not exhaustive. Completion of a shown course does not guarantee entry to the next stage or associated job.
