This document aims to bust myths about higher education through a true/false quiz. It addresses common misconceptions such as having to live away from home to study, courses always lasting three years, and higher education not being affordable or for certain types of people. The quiz finds that while some statements are true, many preconceptions about higher education requirements and costs are actually false. Local college degrees that provide personalized support are presented as a viable option compared to larger university programs.

1. MYTH BUSTING
TAKE THIS QUIZ TO EXPLORE SOME OF
THE FACTS AND MYTHS
AROUND HIGHER EDUCATION
CLICK ON THE SLIDESHOW TO DO THE QUIZ

2. READ THROUGH THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS
AND DECIDE IF YOU THINK THEY ARE TRUE OR
FALSE . CLICK ON YOUR ANSWER TO FIND OUT IF
YOU GOT IT RIGHT, AND THEN CLICK TO CONTINUE.
s
* Please note that all facts and figures used were correct and accurate at the time of writing. Some of these
figures may now have changed slightly.

3. 1. I CAN STUDY FOR A DEGREE AT A LOCAL
COLLEGE.
TRUE FALSE

4. YES, THAT'S RIGHT!
Of 394 registered providers of higher education only 188 have the word ‘University’
in their title. There are 195 that have the title ‘College’ and there are a number of
other alternative providers who are neither universities nor colleges. Over half the
higher education providers in the Leeds City Region are colleges rather than
universities.
Continu
e

5. OOPS, THAT IS ACTUALLY A MYTH.
Of 394 registered providers of higher education only 188 have the word ‘University’ in their title. There are
195 that have the title ‘College’ and there are a number of other alternative providers who are neither
universities nor colleges. Over half the higher education providers in the Leeds City Region are colleges
rather than universities
Continue

6. 2. I WILL HAVE TO LIVE AWAY FROM HOME TO STUDY
FOR A DEGREE.
TRUE FALSE

7. 100% of University Centre Calderdale College students live locally and commute to
class. Nationally, around 25% of all students commute to their higher education provider,
according to HEPI (2018). Staying at home can be a great option when studying for a
degree as your support networks and existing employment can continue as before.
Continue
YES, THAT'S RIGHT!

8. OOPS, THIS IS ACTUALLY A MYTH.
100% of University Centre Calderdale College students live locally and commute to
class. Nationally, around 25% of all students commute to their higher education
provider, according to HEPI (2018). Staying at home can be a great option when
studying for a degree as your support networks and existing employment can
continue as before.
Continue

9. 3.HIGHER EDUCATION COURSES LAST FOR THREE
YEARS.
TRUE FALSE

10. YES, THAT'S RIGHT!
You can study for as little as one year and still get a qualification. Many courses are
also available on a part-time or flexible study basis. With some adaptations, the
right attitude and motivation you can usually continue your daily life while studying.
Continue

11. OOPS, THAT IS ACTUALLY A MYTH
You can study for as little as one year and still get a qualification. Many courses are
also available on a part-time or flexible study basis. With some adaptations, the
right attitude and motivation you can usually continue your daily life while studying.
Continue

12. 4. I WILL HAVE TO PAY MY STUDENT DEBT BACK
STRAIGHT AFTER GRADUATING.
TRUE FALSE

13. OOPS, THIS IS ACTUALLY A MYTH.
You only have to pay back your student debt at a rate of 9% of anything you earn
over £25,725 – this is not based on what you borrow. If you earn less than this you
will not pay anything back. (The average graduate salary ranges from £18k - £24k.)
Continue

14. YES, THAT’S RIGHT!
You only have to pay back your student debt at a rate of 9% of anything you earn
over £25,725 – this is not based on what you borrow. If you earn less than this you
will not pay anything back. (The average graduate salary ranges from £18k - £24k.)
Continue

15. 5. I WON’T BE ABLE TO GET A MORTGAGE BECAUSE
OF MY STUDENT DEBT.
TRUE FALSE

16. YES, THAT’S RIGHT!
The Council of Mortgage Lenders say that a student loan is very unlikely to impact
on your ability to get a mortgage. Graduates do not have any difficulty getting credit
for things such as cars or personal loans because of their student debt.
Continue

17. OOPS, THIS IS ACTUALLY A MYTH.
The Council of Mortgage Lenders say that a student loan is very unlikely to impact
on your ability to get a mortgage. Graduates do not have any difficulty getting credit
for things such as cars or personal loans because of their student debt.
Continue

18. 6. I CAN’T AFFORD TO STUDY FOR A DEGREE.
TRUE FALSE

19. YES, THAT’S RIGHT!
You will never have to pay for tuition fees up-front. You also borrow the money for
your living costs. You only begin to pay this back as a very small proportion of
your earning after you start to earn more than £25,725 per year.
The best way to think about it is as a graduate tax.
Continue

20. OOPS, THIS IS ACTUALLY A MYTH.
You will never have to pay for tuition fees up-front. You also borrow the money for
your living costs. You only begin to pay this back as a very small proportion of
your earnings after you start to earn more than £25,725 per year. The best way
to think about it is as a graduate tax.
Continue

21. 7. THERE’S NO POINT STUDYING HIGHER EDUCATION,
YOU CAN EARN JUST AS MUCH BY WORKING.
TRUE FALSE

22. YES, THAT’S RIGHT!
The wage difference between graduates and
school-leavers is about 35%.
Continue

23. OOPS, THIS IS ACTUALLY A MYTH.
The wage difference between graduates and school-leavers is about 35%.
Continue

24. 8. HIGHER EDUCATION IS NOT FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME.
TRUE FALSE

25. YES, THAT’S RIGHT!
All kinds of people enroll on higher education courses.
86% of students come from state schools. Higher education is open to everyone.
The majority (74%) of University Centre Calderdale College students are mature
(over 21), with 25% over the age of 30.
Continue

26. OOPS, THIS IS ACTUALLY A MYTH.
All kinds of people enroll on higher education courses.
86% of students come from state schools. Higher education is open to everyone.
The majority - 74% - of University Centre Calderdale College students are mature
(over 21), with 25% over the age of 30.
Continue

27. 9. DOING A DEGREE WILL GIVE ME PRACTICAL AND
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS.
TRUE FALSE

28. YES, THAT’S RIGHT!
Many courses are now geared up to supporting students’ skills, alongside the
knowledge and understanding required in the subject area. University Centre
Calderdale College offers foundation degrees which have a minimum of 25%
work-related learning – but most courses have far more than that.
Our graduates leave the University Centre with very strong practical and
professional skills, gained while they were studying.
Continue

29. OOPS, THIS IS ACTUALLY TRUE.
Many courses are now geared up to supporting students’ skills, alongside the
knowledge and understanding required in the subject area. University Centre
Calderdale College offers foundation degrees which have a minimum of 25%
work-related learning – but most courses have far more than that.
Our graduates leave the University Centre with very strong practical and
professional skills, gained while they were studying.
Continue

30. 10. DOING A DEGREE IS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE
ACADEMIC – I’M NOT ACADEMIC ENOUGH.
TRUE FALSE

31. YES, THAT’S RIGHT!
Courses can be practical, theory-based and creative. Sometimes they are a
combination of all of these. Most higher education courses now include
professional and practical skills. The University Centre’s courses include a high
proportion of work-related learning to support practical and professional skills.
Continue

32. OOPS, THIS IS ACTUALLY A MYTH.
Courses can be practical, theory-based and creative. Sometimes they are a
combination of all of these. Most higher education courses now include
professional and practical skills. The University Centre’s courses include a high
proportion of work-related learning to support practical and professional skills.
Continue

33. 11. I’LL BE IN A LARGE LECTURE HALL WITH HUNDREDS OF
OTHER STUDENTS AND I WON’T GET THE PERSONALISED
SUPPORT THAT I NEED.
TRUE FALSE

34. YES, THAT’S RIGHT!
The key difference between the University and the College HE experience is the size of groups and the
support that you receive. While Universities do have much larger group sizes, in recent years they
have improved the way they train their lecturers to provide more individualised support for students.
However, the much smaller group sizes in a College HE provider means that lecturers have much
more time to dedicate to you as an individual, so if you think you will need more support then a local
college is a much better option.
Continue

35. OOPS, THIS IS ACTUALLY A MYTH.
The key difference between the University and the College HE experience is the size of groups
and the support that you receive. While Universities do have much larger group sizes, in recent
years they have improved the way they train their lecturers to provide more individualised
support for students.
However, the much smaller group sizes in a College HE provider means that lecturers have
much more time to dedicate to you as an individual, so if you think you will need more support
then a local college is a much better option.
Continue

36. HOW MANY DID YOU
GET RIGHT?
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR HIGHER
EDUCATION COURSES PLEASE VISIT
WWW.CALDERDALE.AC.UK/UNIVERSITY-
CENTRE