Last Updated on January 4, 2023
Education in the UK is ranked as the most reliable source for a brighter future and success in life. This is because most employers consider an individual’s academic qualification before hiring a job seeker. Hence, it’s good for you to at least pursue an academic and professional course before seeking a job in the UK. Undoubtedly, most employers prefer employees who have extra qualifications apart from academic diplomas and degrees.
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Short Courses In the UK
Here are some of the best short courses to enroll In the UK in 2023
1. Admin, secretarial & PA course
You can study at a range of levels, with courses that cover everything from office skills and administration to minute taking and PA. You could also gain professional certifications that prove your proficiency in Microsoft Office, Oracle, and more.
Jobs you could do: Administrative Assistant, Receptionist, Administrator, Executive PA, Data Entry Clerk, Administrator.
2. Accounting and finance course
Whether you want to get AAT certified in order to pursue a career in accountancy, or you’re looking to gain job-specific skills in tax, finance, or risk management, there are a number of courses that could help boost your employability in this lucrative field.
Jobs you could do: Accountant, Actuary, Financial Advisor, Bookkeeper, Analyst, Investment Banker, Auditor, Stock Broker.
3. Sports and fitness course
There are many ways to qualify for your dream job in sports and fitness, with multiple courses allowing you to train as a personal trainer, fitness instructor, or yoga instructor. Others teach vital knowledge around nutrition, diet, sports science, and massage therapy.
Jobs you could do: Personal Trainer, PE Teacher, Dietician, Nutritionist, Lifeguard, Massage Therapist, Physiotherapist, Yoga Instructor.
4. Health and safety course
Health and safety courses are available in a whole host of areas, including accident investigation, risk assessment, COSHH, first aid at work, and much more. More specifically, you could study asbestos awareness, or gain a NEBOSH certificate – which is the most highly-regarded health and safety certificate in the UK.
Jobs you could do: Health and Safety Officer, Firefighter, Environmental Health Practitioner, Cleaner, Maintenance Engineer, Warehouse Operative.
5. Construction course
There are a number of courses that could help qualify you for a career in construction, whether you want to work in bricklaying, joinery, plumbing, carpentry, quantity surveying or real estate. NVQs and City & Guilds qualifications are particularly useful in this field.
Jobs you could do: Bricklayer, Architect, Joiner, Plumber, Carpenter, Quantity Surveyor, Construction Manager, Labourer.
6. IT course
Tech is an extremely broad sector, allowing you to get qualified in a range of areas. These include everything from IT support and networking, right through to web design and game design. There are also a variety of industry recognised qualifications that will help you stand out to employers, such as Cisco and CompTIA – as well as courses that teach essential coding languages like Python and Javascript.
Jobs you could do: Web Developer, Software Developer, Technical Support Advisor, DevOps Engineer, Network Administrator, Games Tester, Web Designer.
7. Marketing course
There are many different types of marketing courses available, whether you’re looking to focus on email marketing, content marketing, SEO, social media, or digital marketing as a whole. You can also find accredited courses through the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), a world-renowned professional marketing body.
Jobs you could do: Marketing Executive, Copywriter, Marketing Manager, Marketing Analyst, Content Creator, SEO Specialist, Social Media Coordinator.
8. Language course
When it comes to learning a new language, the world is (literally) your oyster. Whether it’s Japanese, Spanish, French, Italian, or any other language you can think of – there’s a course out there to help you learn it. You could also study Sign Language, or learn how to teach English as a foreign language with a TESOL or ESOL course.
Jobs you could do: Translator, Interpreter, Flight Attendant, Teacher, International Relationship Manager, Private Tutor, Aid Worker.
9. Project management course
PRINCE2® qualifications are the worldwide benchmark for project management proficiency – making them a great way to break into the industry. Courses in Six Sigma and Agile are also popular choices, and teach fundamental frameworks that are used within the project management sector.
Jobs you could do: Project Manager, Operations Manager, Team Leader, Scrum Master, Product Owner, Site Manager.
10. Human resources (HR) course
Course subjects range from HR management and employment law, through to learning & development and recruitment, with your area of study dependent on the career path you’d like to pursue. Certifications that are awarded by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) are particularly sought after by employers – with CMI a perfect choice for those seeking leadership positions.
Jobs you could do: HR Officer, HR Assistant, HR Manager, HR Business Partner, Recruitment Manager, Training Officer, Learning & Development Coordinator.
11. Health & care course
With a number of career paths available in health & care, there are also many ways to get qualified. Choose from courses in nursing, social care, paramedic training, dental hygiene, and more – and qualify yourself for a job in one of the most rewarding industries.
Jobs you could do: Healthcare Assistant, Nurse, Paramedic, Health Visitor, Care Worker, Dental Nurse, Youth Worker, Social Worker, Midwife, Pharmacy Assistant.
12. Teaching course
Whilst you’ll need a degree (and a PGCE if your degree wasn’t in teaching) to become a qualified primary or secondary school teacher, shorter and less expensive courses are available for those looking to become a teaching assistant. You could also gain certifications in child care, nannying, or nursery nursing that will help boost your employability within your chosen field.
Jobs you could do: Teacher, SEN Teacher, Private Tutor, Nanny, Childminder, Teaching Assistant, Nursery Teacher, Nursery Nurse.
13. Business course
Courses in business development, business management, and business administration provide the perfect starting point for anyone looking to start a career in this field. Professional certifications that are awarded by the British Computer Society (BCS), as well as qualifications in PRINCE2® could also be useful. If you already have a degree, studying for an MBA will allow you to learn specialist business knowledge and boost your earning potential.
Jobs you could do: Business Analyst, Business Development Manager, Entrepreneur, CEO, Business Advisor, Project Manager.
14. Animal care course
Course subjects include everything from animal nutrition and dog grooming, to horse care, zoology, and even pet psychology. You could also take a course in veterinary nursing and support, qualifying you to work alongside a vet. However, if you’re looking to become a fully qualified vet, extensive degree study (that’s approved by the RCVS) is essential.
Jobs you could do: Veterinary Assistant, Dog Groomer, Dog Walker, Dog Trainer, Zookeeper, Zoologist, Animal Nutritionist, Vet Nurse.
15. Engineering course
The qualification you’ll need to gain will depend on the field of engineering you’re looking to work in – whether it’s aerospace engineering, civil engineering, systems engineering, mechanical engineering – or a multitude of others. Whilst CPD courses are helpful in aiding your development, a degree is usually an essential requirement for securing employment. If you already have a degree in an unrelated subject, a conversion course is a great way to specialise your skills.
Jobs you could do: Civil Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Maintenance Engineer, Aerospace Engineer, Petroleum Engineer, Structural Engineer, Pipeline Engineer.
16. Fashion & beauty course
Whether you want to work in fashion design, beauty therapy, make-up, or hairdressing, there’s a course to help you do it. You could also study more niche areas, such as nail art, sewing, and facial massage. Vocational qualifications such as BTECs and NVQs are particularly useful in this field.
Jobs you could do: Beauty Therapist, Fashion Designer, Nail Technician, Hairdresser, Massage Therapist, Personal Shopper, Make-Up Artist, Fashion Buyer.
17. Hospitality & catering course
You could develop your cooking skills in a particular type of cuisine (such as sushi, cake making, or vegetarian cookery), carry out waiter training, learn how to be a concierge, or even master the art of cocktails with a mixology course. Knowledge of food hygiene and food science is also useful in this industry.
Jobs you could do: Waiter, Bartender, Barista, Concierge, Mixologist, Caterer, Baker, Restaurant Manager, Chef De Partie, Chef, Sous Chef, Commis Chef
18. Design course
You can choose to study anything from UX, graphic design, and digital design, right through to product design, CAD, and animation; all of which will help prove your abilities to employers. Proficiency in specialist design software (such as Adobe) is also important in this sector.
Jobs you could do: Graphic Designer, Animator, CAD Technician, Illustrator, UX Designer, Product Designer, Web Designer.
19. Media course
There are a number of exciting roles within the TV, film, and media industry, and a variety of qualifications that’ll help you gain practical, job-specific skills. You can study media production as a whole, or choose from courses in video editing, photography, cinematography, filmmaking, or even script writing.
Jobs you could do: Videographer, Photographer, Video Editor, TV/Film Production Runner, Casting Director, Sound Technician, Screenwriter, Prop Maker.