University vs. higher education: Which to choose?

Often we do not have enough knowledge and time to think and reflect on the difference between a higher education degree and a university degree. When this is extremely important for the future of young people.  For this reason, it is important to seek information in time to choose the best option and to secure a place as soon as possible. As demand is sometimes high and can complicate access.

Once the baccalaureate training period is over, multiple doors open to students, who have to decide whether they want to go for a university degree or a higher degree. Deciding this is extremely important, and for this reason, we are going to give you an overview of what each one is and how they differ. So that you can make the right decision.

Duration

Studying for a Bachelor’s degree takes 2 years, whereas a university degree takes much longer to complete, as most degree courses consist of 4 or 5 years of study, but it all depends on the number of credits needed.

The 4 years that a university degree usually lasts allows access to a global vision of the field of study. So that the knowledge is acquired in greater depth. The good thing is that the universities allow a certain flexibility with regard to the number of credits in which the student registers, whereas, in the higher degree cycles, all the subjects must be studied in the time established.

Theoretical training

For university degrees we find that there is a greater theoretical load than vocational training degrees. And although the practical load is important, in this type of degree it is usually further away from what is really applied to the world of work. I.e. you do not leave with a great deal of experience in the development of activities related to the degree. Unless you are studying medicine.

Practical training

With regard to practical training, this aims to combine theoretical and practical training, always oriented towards the implementation of everything that is being learnt. This is why the higher education degree is mostly based on this type of training. Where students acquire knowledge in the field, which is directly useful for them to enter the world of work.

There is also the possibility of opting for dual vocational training. Which is a variant of normal vocational training where the protagonist in the training is practice, because the students provide support while practising in companies. In the case of higher education, internships are essential to obtain the degree, but at university these are extracurricular and are not guaranteed.

Evaluation

The teaching in either of these two degrees is continuous, so you have to constantly attend classes and participate in each of the activities of the different modules or years of the degree, which are evaluated.

Throughout the course, evaluations are carried out to monitor the student’s progress, assessing the knowledge they have. Partial evaluations are also carried out, and if they are not passed, the subject in question is failed.

Regardless of the degree they choose to study, students are not exempt from evaluations and must therefore pass them in order to continue advancing in their studies and thus obtain the desired degree.

Job placement

When choosing an educational pathway, it is certain that young people take into account the employability that exists according to the degree they are going to study. I.e. they visualise what the chances of employment are in the chosen sector when they finish their studies.

To take stock of labour market insertion, we can say that the employment rate for higher technicians is 79%. While the rate for university professionals is 84%.

In addition, statistics show that young graduates earn 20% more than technicians and spend less time in their working careers to gain access to important positions. I.e. they have more opportunity to climb the career ladder.

As you can see, there are notable differences between one degree and another. As well as advantages when it comes to finding a job after graduation. Since university graduates have greater capacity to access well-paid jobs with responsibility, assuming a higher salary.