What is the difference between academic and vocational courses

Standard classroom setting. Often a mix of practical work environment and some classroom learning either real-life or virtual. Can often stay in the same school — or switch to sixth form college if you prefer.

The safety of the familiar but still a step up from what you know, and it will feel like a whole new world. The possibility of a new approach but you will settle into the new way of doing things quite quickly. Likely to involve homework, coursework, exams. Ideal for students who want to learn through discussion and reading. Ideal for students who want to learn through practical training, mentoring and some reading. You are not paid to study. If you are on a paid training programme like an Apprenticeship, you will earn a salary while you learn in a work environment.

With globalization ramping up and affecting almost every profession, many vocational institutions foreground their international approach in their course content and delivery, too. And by choosing a course abroad, students will gain the international skills and perspectives that employers so value, as well as the vocational skills - a double whammy for employability! This has proven a popular tactic: more than 75, international students are currently enrolled at German UAS, for example.

Help your students narrow down their university options and build a shortlist that works for them. For some students, the decision will be straightforward.

If they picture their future as an ink-stained literature professor, an academic degree is a prerequisite. Most students fall somewhere in between the extreme examples of a make-up technician and a literature professor, and - as most counsellors know first-hand - a huge majority are not so certain of their ultimate goal.

Equally, you can approach many subjects - like engineering, nursing and film directing - from either a vocational or an academic standpoint. It's not always as simple as pinning down a career goal or subject of study. Although vocational education has a lot of strengths, many of your students will be naturally inclined towards a more traditionally academic education. Which students should guidance counsellors consider steering towards vocational options?

Ultimately, the choice between vocational and academic paths is a really personal one. It depends on factors like learning preferences and strengths as much as budget and career aspiration.

And we have good news. For our tips on learning style assessments, researching destinations and creating a shortlist of courses, be sure to give it a read. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Thank you so much this article was extremely helpful to me as a parent it opened my eyes where I do not have to consider a traditional way of educating my son cause he is good with hands on approach so enlightening thank you again.

Mamotshabi Penecia Ngakane Friday 5th November Ever wondered when to suggest vocational education, or how much it differs from more academic routes? Help students maximise their potential with our handy guide. Free eBook: Helping Students Find Their University Match Get inspired with in-classroom activities that encourage students to reflect on their strengths, learning styles and ambitions.

Download your free eBook. Vocational courses help students develop practical skills The goal of any vocational program is to teach students the hard skills their chosen profession requires. Vocational courses are more affordable than academic degrees A big consideration for any student considering their next steps is budget. What are vocational courses, and how are they different? Content One of the first questions you and your students will have about any course is what will be taught.

Delivery Vocational courses are extremely practical in their delivery. Assessment Assessment is a pivotal part of any qualification. The level to which they have these skills varies depending on what they studied--a liberal arts graduate will have strong research and writing skills but not as many applied skills as a law, medical or hard science science graduate.

This is not necessarily a bad thing, though, particularly if someone does not know precisely what they want to do with their life. While an academic school graduate does not have as many clear options as a vocational school graduate, he is also better-equipped for broader focused, more theoretical jobs like working as an analyst, journalist or a variety of other jobs that require critical thinking over applied skill.

Sam Grover began writing in , also having worked as a behavior therapist and teacher. The options for vocational study are much more varied than in the past: they are no longer just for people who want to pursue careers in construction, plumbing and hairdressing, for example, aspiring graphic designers, IT specialists and music producers are just as likely to find a course that will help them towards their dream job. The new vocational qualifications have been validated by employers and universities as sound methods that will lead to real jobs and progression opportunities, making them as valid and comparable to academic qualifications.

Because work and study are combined, those who take the vocational route are often work-ready and earning a salary! Those taking the vocational route will avoid the huge debt that most people acquire during university study. Because vocational courses are tailored to a job or sector, students taking this route focus in on something specific, and limit their options down to this particular career.

The number of vocational courses on offer can be confusing, and are not as simple to compare to other qualifications as, say, A-levels and degrees.