HELPING STUDENTS INTO THEIR HIGHER EDUCATION  

JOB CENTRE.

Jobcentre Plus. While you search for work, you may also be entitled to claim benefits like Jobseeker’s Allowance. Looking for work (employment section) while Benefits and help when looking for work (money, tax and benefits section). Contact Job centre Plus at starting a job or placement Pay decent. If you’re starting a job, the salary you’ve agreed with your employer will be stated in your employment contract.

’If you are re on a placement or internship, some are paid, others are not. See ‘Graduate placements and internships’ to find out more. Graduate placements and internships Being paid and payslips (employment section) Workers entitled to the national minimum wage (employment section) Other rights and responsibilities It’s important to be aware of rights and responsibilities at work – yours, your colleagues’ and your employer’s. You can get detailed information about these from your employer’s human resources department. In smaller organisations, you may need to speak to your manager. You should act responsibly and not do anything that puts yourself, colleagues or members of the public at risk. You should also make sure you understand and follow the company’s health and safety policies. You should also be aware that everyone in the workplace has the right to be treated fairly, and judged solely on their skills and abilities. There are laws about discrimination on a number of grounds, including race, age, disability, gender and sexuality.

If you’re on a placement, it’s a good rule of thumb to behave as you would if you were a permanent employee. See Directgov’s employment section for more on rights and responsibilities at work – including pay, working hours, equal opportunities, health and safety, joining a union and how to resolve problems. Employment section More useful links Opportunities for graduates in Northern Ireland Opens new window Graduate careers in Scotland Opens new window Go Wales - jobs and work experience for graduates in Wales Opens new window within this section.

Options after graduation Graduate careers Graduate placements and internships Postgraduate study: getting started Postgraduate study: teacher training, social work, healthcare Finding a postgraduate place Funding postgraduate study additional links Graduated in 2008 or 2009? Graduate Talent Pool Kick-start your graduate career: search for internship vacancies in England, Canada, USA and Australia and New Zealand. Find an internship with Graduate Talent Pool Opens new window.

See also Public sector jobs (employment section) Studying at an overseas university (Britons living abroad section) Working abroad (Britons living abroad section) Starting your first job: what to do about tax (money, tax and benefits section) Do it online File your tax online Opens new window Find schools, childcare and nurseries Find a course Opens new window List of services available online... Useful contacts Graduate Prospects Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS) Universities and higher education contacts. Global links.

Education and learning Education and learning Options after graduation Options for graduates include finding a job or placement, further study at postgraduate level, setting up a business, taking a gap year or volunteering. Get planning as soon as possible – and take advantage of the advice available. Preparing for life after graduation Son or daughter graduated this year?

Help them explore their options - and get motivated. Download a parent’s guide to helping graduates find work (PDF, 1400K) Help with PDF files. As you approach the end of your time in higher education, it’s natural to focus more on what comes next. But there’s likely to be a lot going on in your final year: lectures, essays and, of course, exams. So if you want to prepare for life as a graduate while keeping up with your studies, it pays to get organised – and to get the right advice. Weighing up your options: work and postgraduate study Not sure about your first step as a graduate? Talking through your options can help you come up with ideas.

The idea of earning a university degree from the comfort of your home may seem too good to be true. With online learning, it doesn't have to be. There are a few things to consider, though, before you enroll. If you heard about the program from a spam e-mail message, be wary. While it's possible that it's a legitimate educational institution, it's most likely some form of scam, such as a diploma mill that awards "students" fake degrees and credentials.

While there are some schools that specialize in online learning, most online degree programs are extensions of an existing program at a brick and mortar university. You are more likely to find advanced degrees, like MBAs, offered. You can find nearly any subject online, though, so you'll never know if there's a program that's right for you until you perform extensive research.

Before beginning any online degree program, it is vital that you ask about both the school's and the degree's accreditations. You want to make sure that you will have a degree that will be recognized by employers or other universities when you finish your course of study. The school itself can be accredited by national and regional organizations, with national accreditation being more prestigious. What organization should endorse the degree program, or if it's even necessary, will depend upon your major. Check with professional organizations in your field for guidelines.

You should also take some time to reflect on yourself, your learning style and your schedule before beginning an online degree program. One of the biggest advantages of online learning is the flexibility; you can schedule class time when it's convenient for you. At the same time, online classes require as much work, if not more, than traditional programs, so you must set aside enough time for your studies. Also consider how important lectures and in-person discussions are to your learning. Some students thrive in an online environment of e-mail and web forum communication, while others miss the human connection. Finally, think about how well you think you'll perform without the external motivation of attending class every week. Will you keep on top of your work, or will you let deadlines slide?

Online programs are making university degrees available to thousands who otherwise wouldn't have been able to attend college. You can be a part of that number if you proceed carefully.