The value of advanced education in a competitive job market

A recent review of the current UK  labour market,  found that individuals who study qualifications in higher education or further education earn higher salaries compared to those who do not. At 29 years old, males who attend HE tend to earn 25% more than those with 5 GCSEs who did not go to university. For females, taking a Higher Education qualification is linked to 50% higher earnings. It’s a similar story in the US, where earnings rise as education level rises, while rates of unemployment decline.

And the value of an advanced education goes beyond the pay cheque. Read on to find out how.

How does a higher level qualification add value to your job prospects?

There are lots of ways that having a further or higher education qualification can open up new career paths and help you to secure a better job in a competitive job market. Here’s what a higher level qualification can give you:

Specialist knowledge

Qualifications gained in further education settings and universities equip you with in-depth knowledge specific to your chosen field. This will set you apart and will help you to hit the ground running once you enter the workplace in your chosen career.

Transferable skills

Higher education courses in particular, help cultivate a range of soft skills that all employers are keen to see, including critical thinking, communication, adaptability, and problem-solving skills, which are valuable across various industries and job roles. 

Networking opportunities

Wherever you study, you’ll meet new contacts. For example, universities provide platforms to help you build your professional networks, connecting you with peers, professors, and industry professionals that opens doors to potential mentors and job opportunities. 

Higher earning potential

Statistics consistently show that individuals with higher education degrees tend to earn significantly more than those without, and if you get a first class degree, you’re likely to earn even more.

Career advancement

Once you are employed, you may find that your employer favours candidates with advanced degrees for promotions and leadership positions. 

Adaptability to change

In a competitive job market, adaptability is important and continuous learning helps individuals stay up-to-date with industry trends and changing technologies and helps demonstrate a strong work ethic.

Further education versus higher education

If you are a school leaver and wondering how to persuade potential employers you are a good fit for a job, you may want to choose between doing a vocational certification or qualification at Levels 1-3, like an apprenticeship, or taking a higher level degree qualification in higher education. Alternatively, you might be looking for professional development opportunities and considering a postgraduate qualification.

Whatever stage you are at, in a competitive job market, an advanced qualification will open up new employment opportunities and help you to achieve your career aspirations. To help you decide which course will suit you best, you’ll need to consider the following questions:

Do you want to develop a specific trade or upskill within a particular sector? 

An apprenticeship in a specific setting could be the right choice if you are looking for vocational training that will improve your skill set and job prospects in a particular field. If you are less certain about your career path and want to keep your options open, a degree from a higher education institution may be a better option.

Would you prefer to gain work experience from day one, or separate your studies from work and undertake an internship or placement to gain industry knowledge?

While apprenticeships pay a salary, some degrees can be studied part time and via distance learning, making it easier to combine studies and paid work and still complete a degree course.

Are you keen to learn practical skills on the job, or are you happy to study the theory before putting it into practice? 

Apprenticeships are very hands-on, whereas studying for a degree involves gaining theoretical knowledge, but can also provide practical experience through internships, placements and capstone projects.

Are you considering a postgraduate degree in future?

For some professions, such as healthcare, law and education, an undergraduate degree is considered the standard qualification, although increasingly, allied professionals can train via a number of different routes to enter these professions.

If you think you’d like to go beyond a bachelor’s degree to pursue postgraduate studies or research in a particular field, a masters degree in your chosen subject could be a good choice.

Studying an online course in higher education

The education space is changing rapidly as technological advancements help educators to design and deliver more inclusive learning environments to support a wide range of learners. If you are already an educator, or interested in developing skills in this area and looking for new opportunities to accelerate your career growth, you may wish to study for a master’s degree.

With a 100% online Masters in Education at Keele University, you’ll extend your knowledge and understanding of educational practices and develop your skills to support all learners in the classroom and online. You can complete the course in as little as 14 months from anywhere in the world. Pay-per-module options are available, making it a cost-effective way to upskill and stay competitive in the fast-moving education sector.