Information for Parents, Carers and Teachers

Choosing a career

Deciding on a career can be daunting with so many options: university, college, modern apprenticeship or straight into the world of work.

We’re here to help your young person achieve their goals, whatever they may be.

Below we have answered some key questions to hopefully provide you with more information and answer your questions. Although if you want to speak to a member of our team, please do send us an email on admissions@slc.ac.uk 

Why should your young person choose South Lanarkshire College?

  • We have fantastic courses and state-of-the-art facilities.
  • Our staff are award-winning, experienced in their field, and specialists in their industry.
  • They’re committed to helping your young person, every step of the way, with all the support they’ll need.
  • We offer a wide range of courses across an array of subjects.
  • Over 90% of our successful students progress to university, apprenticeships or employment.
  • Our excellent links with universities across Scotland and the UK, and industry links, mean there are many progression opportunities.
  • The college is home to 4,000 students and is in the centre of East Kilbride, just seven miles from the centre of Glasgow. The area boasts a lively student community. There are plenty of cafes, shops and restaurants as well as easy access by public transport to and from Glasgow.

Find out about studying with us.

Should your young person study a full-time, part-time or school/college partnership course?

  • We’ve over 150 courses full- and part-time courses designed to give students the skills valued by employers and the knowledge to move on to further study.
  • We have a fantastic portfolio of courses across a variety of different areas which can be studied on a full-time, part-time, day-release and evening basis – so there is something to suit everyone.
  • Our courses cover a wide range of subject areas from beauty to business, plumbing to painting and decorating, hospitality to horticulture, and science to social care.
  • If your young person is heading into S4, S5 or S6, we offer a variety of schools/college partnership programmes to allow them to study a part-time course at college while still at school.
  • On our schools programme, we offer vocational programmes which can lead to a particular job, such as plumbing or childcare. Others are more academic, such as Senior Phase HNCs and Foundation Apprenticeships, which lead to a range of work options. Depending on your young person’s preferred learning environment, one type of course may be more suitable than another.

Our schools courses are designed not just to share knowledge, but to equip your young person for the working world with the core life skills needed to succeed professionally.

Find out more about our schools programmes

What support is available?

  • Schools liaison team: can help your young person decide on a schools programme course. Our staff can talk to you and your young person about the courses on offer, and provide information on applying and timetabling. You can email liaision@slc.ac.uk for further advice and guidance
  • Admissions team: can help your young person if they are looking to leave school and start on a college programme. Contact them on 01355 270750 or email admissions@slc.ac.uk
  • Student services team: can advise and help with funding, personal and emotional challenges and other issues. If your young person needs specialist help, then they can put you in touch with support agencies. Find out more about the support we offer our students.

Which course should your young person choose?

Your young person may already know which course to apply for. If not, a good way to help and guide them is to ask:

  1. Which subject/s do you enjoy the most and feel passionate about?
  2. Which subject/s have given you the most success to date?
  3. Which course would give you the most enjoyment and lead to a potential career?
  4. Which course/s grab your imagination and attention? 

The answers will help them decide on the best options for them. If they are still not sure, then they can call our helpful admissions team on 01355 270750 for advice and guidance.

Find a course...