Adult Learners

An Access to HE qualification will prepare you for a wide range of degrees at universities and Higher Education institutions.

An Access to HE diploma could be perfect for you if you don't hold a recent Level 3 qualification and you want to progress to study a degree level course. The diplomas are completed in just one year and from there you can go onto ambitious and highly paid careers.

With the highest demand for employees in the health, science and education sectors, we currently offer  diplomas in Health, Science, Educational Studies and Humanities and Social Science.  We’ve helped many students progress to study degrees in nursing, paramedic science, podiatry, primary teaching, social work and law.

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A career in the beauty industry can take you anywhere in the world! If you like being your own boss you could also have your own business or go freelance.

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With the need for over 150,000 houses to be built over the next twenty years in our local area there has never been a better time to become a bricklayer.

Bricklaying is a craft for life. It is one of the traditional trades that - both in the UK and around the world - will provide you with in-demand skills to set the foundations for you to accept opportunities to work in amazing locations. 

If you choose to study bricklaying at New College Durham, you will develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to build, repair and maintain the country's housing stock, while also working with the area’s biggest employers and construction partners.

Our bricklaying courses will suit you if you if you're looking for a practical course to challenge your problem solving skills. Your day-to-day role will involve building, shaping and re-structuring builds to meet drawing specifications and supervisor demands. 

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Ever thought about owning your own business?

Gain the wider skills to start your own building maintenance business. At NCD you will work with our highly qualified tutors who will share their expert experience of the craft.

From historic to modern structure repairs, you will develop skills that are in huge demand in a practical workshop environment.

Did you know that the North East has one of the highest concentrations of listed buildings? These buildings are in constant need of repair to protect them, and with a current skills shortage there has never been a better time to get into construction and building maintenance.

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Build a future-proof career as a carpenter or joiner with New College Durham.

At NCD - and as a country - we have a huge commitment to sustainability. Timber frame houses and modular construction are the sustainable future and by learning the essential carpentry and joinery skills from our industry specialist staff you will guarantee yourself a job in a trade that is in ever-increasing demand.

You will be suppoted to make sure you develop the employability skills needed to make a name for yourself in the carpentry and joinery sector. Our excellent apprenticeship opportunities position us as a top choice for local employers, meaning you can get real-life workshop experience in site carpentry, bench carpentry or furniture manufacturing.

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Computing & IT is at the heart of everyday life, at home, work and in our leisure time from computer graphics and control systems to communications and problem-solving and cyber security to software development, Computing & IT has an ever increasing role to play.

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Find out everything you need to know if you are starting one of our higher education counselling programmes in September.

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Let us help you take your next step in life, work and study with our flexible ESOL programmes.

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Interested in working in a rewarding career with children and young people?

Study key aspects - such as safeguarding - and get the opportunity to gain real-life experience in a workplace setting. Develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed for a career in the sector with one of our full-time courses, T-Levels or earn while you learn with an apprenticeship.

Our new T-Level qualification will equip you to progress in careers such as primary education or youth work. You will work with pupils in the agre range of primary to secondary school.

Our exciting courses range from entry level to degree level so you can join a course that is right for you. 

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Prospects for qualified electricians are excellent. It is a technical and highly skilled job. They make sure that wires and circuits are safe, repair faults in the electrics and install new circuits after building work is complete.

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The engineering sector has a range of specialised areas, two of which are mechanical engineering and electrical engineering. The demand for qualified engineers is very high so career prospects are good.

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Can you cut it as a hairdresser and keep up with this fast-paced, fashion-led industry?  

British hairdressing has an excellent reputation and is regarded as the best in the world! You will need to be sociable, have a strong creative streak and an interest in fashion to work in this popular sector.

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There are around 4 million people employed in the Health and Social Care sector in the UK. If you are caring and approachable, have good verbal and communication skills, have a passion for helping others and remain calm under pressure then you will have a healthy future in this sector.

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You need to be seen to manage to work under pressure, have a creative flair, obtain communication and leadership skills and the ability to multi -task and be highly motivated to work in the hospitality and catering industry.

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The demand for housing continues to grow in our region with 150,000 more houses to be added to our existing population in the next 20 years.

A career in housing provides varied work and career options such as housing management, residential involvement, development and supported housing.

Designed to meet the requirements of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), our Housing courses will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed for a career in this sector.

With apprenticeship or funded options, professional body membership and recognised qualifications, our housing courses offer the perfect start to your studies or the springboard for you to make the next step in your career.  

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Designed to give you a head start, our range of CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel Development) courses will boost your career in the dynamic Human Resources sector.

Working environments, working practices and employment legislation are always changing. Now, more than ever, businesses need skilled HR professionals to support their operations.  Our professional HR qualifications aim to develop current and future HR professionals to meet the needs of business across all sectors.

Offering internationally recognised qualifications, professional body membership and apprenticeship or funded options, NCD is the place to study for your next career step.

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Open the door to a new job and study opportunities with our maths and English courses. 

Learn in a positive environment, using a range of techniques to suit your learning style.

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Around one million people are employed in the media industry in the UK so it is a popular career choice. Multi-skilled people who can understand different platforms of technology are currently in demand in this exciting and fast moving industry. You also need to have an attention to detail, commercial sense, negotiation skills and excellent communication skills.

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Get qualified to work on the cars of the future! Electric, diesel and petrol - you will learn about them all the the incredible technology behind how they work.

Our enthusiastic mechanics are industry specialists and walk, talk and breathe automotive. Share your passion for motor technology in our state-of-the-art motor vehicle workshop.

There is huge demand for motor vehicle technicians and currently a national shortage. Why not be at the cutting edge of new developments, learn

• how a car can drive itself
• how a car saves your life in an accident before you know it’s happened
• how a car can operate thousands of systems in seconds to keep you on the road.

At the same time you’ll also be equipping yourself with qualifications that will give you a lifelong career.

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We have three pathways in sport to suit all of your career aspirations, so whether you want to be a sports coach, a physiotherapist or a personal trainer to the stars, this is the place to be!

We offer opportunities in sports coaching and development, sport and exercise science or fitness across a range of levels and starting points. To find out more about our specific courses please look at our sport programmes below or contact us using our live chat function. Over 400,000 people in England have sport-related jobs and the sport and fitness sector is growing and evolving all the time and not surprisingly, employment is expected to rise, so you are onto a winner if you choose this career path!

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