New Year, New Skills? Make 2025 #MyTime for Learning
A New Year offers an opportunity for reflection, bringing with it a sense of change, growth and renewal.
Maybe you’re stuck in a job that you’re not entirely happy with. Perhaps your kids are now all at school and you want to fulfil a lifelong ambition of your own. Or you might just be looking for a new challenge.
Whatever your circumstances, the RNN Group is encouraging adults in the South Yorkshire region to make it #MyTime for learning in 2025 with their wide range of higher education courses.
Almost half of adults (49%) haven’t had any training since leaving school. That means that by 2030, 90% of workers will need some form of reskilling to bridge the ever-widening skills gap.
Whether you’re 25, 55 or 85, it’s never too late to become an RNN student and reap the rewards of studying with us.
But we get it. The thought of going back to the classroom after all these years can be daunting. Times have changed so much since you were last in education that it makes you feel prehistoric.
However, you’re not extinct just yet. There are now more opportunities than ever for adults to learn new skills and boost their knowledge right on their doorstep, with flexible learning programmes that could spark your next career move.
Whether you want to change careers or secure a promotion, RNN Group has a higher education course for you.
“I started college later in life, at the age of 24, because I wanted to feel more fulfilled in what I was doing for a living.”
Kasey
BA Hons Media, Moving Image and Photography and PGCE
Why study higher education as an adult?
Higher education opens up a world of opportunities by taking your taking your professional prospects and earning potential to the next level.
Studying at level 4 or above equips you with the right knowledge and skills for employment in your chosen industry. You’ll also develop those all-important transferable skills that employers are looking for.
If you decide to do a degree or masters course with us, you’ll further specialise in your area.
What higher education courses can adults study at RNN Group?
At RNN Group, we offer HTQs, foundation degrees, bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees in a wide range of subjects, from hair and beauty and caring professions to computing and engineering.
Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs)
HTQs are two-year courses aimed at those over 19 who want to achieve a level 4 or 5 qualification (the first two years of a degree). HTQs have been designed in collaboration with employers and feature lots of hands-on learning in industry-quality facilities on campus.
We currently offer HTQs in animal management, cyber security, construction management, engineering, esports, and health science.
HTQs are often more affordable and faster to complete than traditional degrees, making them a practical choice if you want to upskill or retrain. They can also be done on a full or part-time basis, making them a flexible option around work and family commitments.
Degrees
Always dreamed of doing a degree? You can study locally around your other commitments thanks to our dedicated higher education campus, University Centre Rotherham.
All of our degree programmes are vocational based with lots of hands-on learning to equip you with the skills you need to access in-demand jobs across the South Yorkshire region.
We currently offer degrees in:
- Business Management
- Computing and Systems Development
- Early Childhood Studies
- Education and Professional Development
- Fine and Applied Art
- Graphic Design
- Theatrical Hair and Media Make-up
- Media, Moving Image and Photography
- Music Production and Performance
- Theatre, Acting and Performance
All our degrees are accredited by other Yorkshire universities such as Sheffield Hallam, Huddersfield and Hull. But the UCAS tariff points needed to study at University Centre Rotherham are generally lower – 48 or 64 compared to 80 and 112.
Our course fees are also much cheaper than other universities. A full-time course is £6,900 compared to the average £9,250, making University Centre Rotherham an affordable option without compromising on the quality of learning.
Level 4 Beauty Courses
Are you a beautician who wants to take your treatment list to the next level?
At our hair and beauty salons, we have introduced a range of level 4 courses in more advanced areas like laser hair removal and cosmetic skin treatments.
Courses available at our Rotherham beauty academy include electrolysis, IPL laser, microblading, skin needling, and skin peels.
For people interested in make-up, we also offer a degree programme in theatrical medial hair and make-up at both Rotherham and North Notts campuses.
Professional Courses
If you’re employed and want to aim for a promotion, we have a range of professional development courses here at RNN Group.
We run the ACCA in accounting and business, PGCE and Cert Ed qualifications, certification for supporting SEND learners, and a diploma in counselling.
These courses are available on a part-time basis so that you can fit your studies around your work commitments.
Find out more about our professional courses here
“The teachers are very welcoming and always push me to achieve my goals.”
Caroline
BA (Hons) in Fine and Applied Art
Why support is available for adults learners?
Our adult courses can be done full or part-time at one of our four campuses: Rotherham Campus, North Notts Campus, Dearne Valley Campus, and University Centre Rotherham.
All campuses are easy to get to by bus, car or train. There is an on-site café plus plenty of breakout areas for you to socialise in-between lessons.
Every campus has its own IT help desk and free WIFI. Students also have access to a range of learning resources, materials and tools that can be loaned from our learning hubs to help with your studies.
We also have a brilliant student support team who are on-hand to help with a range of matters such as childcare support or additional learning support for students with disabilities or learning difficulties.
Not really sure what your ideal career is just yet? Don’t worry. We are one of the first further education providers to have careers coaches specifically for adult learners. As well as giving careers advice, they can help with things like CV writing and mock interviews if you need it.
So just think, if you do enrol as an adult learner in 2025, this time next year you’ll be able to look back at what you’ve been able to accomplish.
And you will be even more excited about continuing your journey as you work towards that all important graduation ceremony where your proud family and friends can see you don a cap and gown.