Salford Higher Technical Skills
Our Higher Technical Skills courses are designed to give you hands-on, vocational training, fast. These qualifications provide a concentrated experience over one or two years, so you’re prepared for immediate employment upon finishing your studies and can hit the ground running.
To find out more, read on or book to visit us at an Open Day.
Learn by doing
By choosing one of these programmes, you are preparing for your future. The courses are hands-on and practical, and you will be supported throughout your studies.
Each of our courses has been written and advised upon by a variety of senior industry professionals to ensure that we’re developing courses that are up-to-date and relevant to today’s challenges. Employers in all sectors are desperate for competent, technical, digitally savvy people to join their teams.
The flexible learning options available mean that you can choose to study either full or part-time.
On a Salford Higher Technical Skills course, you will learn by doing – making sure that you develop the job-ready skills needed to succeed. The course will teach you the technical elements of your chosen field and provide you with the practical skills required to satisfy industry and employer needs.
Our courses
Construction Project Management
Practical. Engineering. Built Environment.
These courses provide the core practical and technical skills required in modern Construction Project Management.
They form a strong foundation for developing the professional and managerial capabilities needed to oversee and deliver successful construction projects.
Creative and Digital Media
Film. Edit. Export.
This one-year CertHE or two-year DipHE course trains you to become a digital media creative, skilled in all the tools necessary for developing and distributing digital content across broadcast media and streaming platforms within business, government, and the charity sector.
The courses focus on the software and hardware you need to master in order to become an essential team member in this fast-growing field.
Data Science
Analyse. Programme. Solve.
Data Science is a fast-growing interdisciplinary field which combines statistics, machine learning, Artificial Intelligence and data analysis to extract insights from data. This one-year CertHE / two-year DipHE course will introduce you to the fundamentals of data science and data analysis and give you practical experience working with industry-standard tools, systems and programming languages.
Through problem-based learning, practical computer-based workshops and group activities, you will gain the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in industry.
Data Science Pathway
Once students have completed the DipHE Data Science programme, they can apply for the following top-up programme:
Digital and Software Technology
Script. Test. Launch.
This one-year CertHE / two-year DipHE programme addresses a skills shortage in the general area of ‘digital’ and software technology. The programme will provide you with a broad set of skills suitable for technical roles in which you can implement software solutions that enable businesses to develop new products and services, and increase productivity using selected digital technologies.
The programme therefore provides you with a broad appreciation and understanding of digital technology which includes computing, data science, networking, security, business systems and operations.
Motion Capture for the Creative Industries
Capture. Generate. Worldbuild.
Do you want to learn how to turn performers’ movements into digital avatars? Do you want to learn this in relation to the gaming and creative industries? You can do this on our one or two year programmes.
Motion Capture is used extensively across games, film and animation, as well as applications in health and sports science. These new programmes will teach you the skills you need to be a technician and operator of this rapidly evolving technology.
Nursing
Care. Support. Administer.
The Nursing Associate is a highly trained support role to deliver effective, safe and responsive nursing care in and across a wide range of health and care settings. This role will bridge the gap between a support worker and a Registered Nurse, providing a workforce for future healthcare.
Nursing Associates will work independently, and as part of the healthcare team, delivering care in a range of primary, secondary, community and social care settings. In this role, you will deliver hands-on care, focusing on ensuring patients continue to get the compassionate care they deserve. The programme is a two-year programme leading to a Nursing Associate Foundation Degree.
Nursing Associate Pathways
Once students have completed the Nursing Associate programme, they can apply for one of the following top-up programmes:
Social Media Content Creation
Create. Share. Influence.
This one-year CertHE or two-year DipHE course trains you to become a social media creator – skilled in producing, delivering, distributing, and measuring the success of content across a range of social media channels and platforms.
You will gain detailed knowledge of the social media industry and learn how to confidently shoot content using the latest market-relevant camera and sound recording equipment.
Watch a subject spotlight video on the Springpod platform or click below to visit the course page and find out everything you need to know:
Esports
Host. Broadcast. Level Up
Students develop a strong understanding of how esports events, teams, and organisations are planned, managed, and grown, gaining practical experience alongside industry-focused theory. These programmes provide a solid foundation in esports business management, preparing learners for professional roles across event operations, team management, marketing, and the wider competitive gaming ecosystem.
Quantity Surveying
Problem solving. Methodical. Engineering.
These programmes introduce the key technical and financial principles of modern quantity surveying. Students gain practical skills in cost estimation, measurement, and commercial management within construction projects. Both pathways provide a solid foundation for progressing into professional surveying roles and supporting effective project delivery.
Exploring Level 4 and 5 Pathways
If a traditional three-year degree isn’t quite what you’re looking for, Level 4 and 5 qualifications could be a great alternative. They offer valuable opportunities for career development, practical experience, and flexible learning.
Still curious about how Level 4 and 5 qualifications could work for you? Our FAQs below cover everything you need to know.
Frequently asked questions
What are Level 4 and Level 5 qualifications?
Level 4 and 5 qualifications are alternatives to a traditional three-year degree. They focus more on practical, career-focused learning and can be completed in a shorter time. Examples include Higher National Certificates (HNC), Higher National Diplomas (HND), Foundation Degrees, and Diplomas of Higher Education (DipHE).
How do Level 4 and 5 qualifications differ from a traditional degree?
Unlike traditional degrees, which focus heavily on academic theory and research, Level 4 and 5 qualifications are often more vocational and skills-based. They are designed to prepare you directly for the workplace while keeping the option open to “top up” to a full degree later.
How long do these qualifications take to complete?
- Level 4 (HNC/CertHE): Usually 1 year full-time.
- Level 5 (HND/DipHE/Foundation Degree): Usually 2 years full-time.
You can then progress to a “top-up degree” (Level 6), which takes around 1 additional year.
Who are these qualifications best suited for?
- Students who want to enter the workforce sooner.
- Vocational learners who prefer hands-on, applied study.
- Professionals looking to upskill or retrain.
- Students who may be unsure about committing to a full 3-year degree.
Can I progress to a full degree after completing a Level 4 or 5 qualification?
Yes, most Level 4 and 5 courses are designed to give you the option to “top up” to a full bachelor’s degree (Level 6). For example, completing an HND often allows direct entry into the final year of a degree.
What kind of careers can I pursue with a Level 4 or 5 qualification?
These qualifications are highly valued in sectors where practical skills and applied knowledge are essential, such as business, engineering, health, computing, and creative industries.
How do apprenticeships compare to these qualifications?
Apprenticeships also sit at Levels 4–6, but they are work-based. You’ll be employed while studying part-time, and your employer usually funds your course. Level 4 and 5 qualifications at university, on the other hand, can be studied full-time and may be more flexible if you want to keep your options open.
What financial support is available for Level 4 and 5 courses?
Like traditional degrees, many Level 4 and 5 qualifications are eligible for student finance (tuition fee loans and maintenance loans, depending on your circumstances). Apprenticeships are usually funded by the employer.
What if I don’t meet the entry requirements for these courses?
You could consider a Foundation Year (Level 3/4), which prepares you for higher-level study. It’s a pathway into both traditional degrees and vocational qualifications.
Why should I consider a Level 4 or 5 course instead of going straight into a degree?
- Faster entry into the workplace.
- Lower overall cost if you stop at Level 4 or 5.
- Option to continue to a full degree later.
- Strong focus on employability and job-specific skills.
Qualifications
Once you've completed your course, you'll receive a level 4 or a level 5 qualification. As an example, level 4 is equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate degree and level 5 is equivalent to a foundation degree.
Take a look at our list below to see the most common UK qualifications under each level of study (from levels 3 - 8).
Types of qualifications
Level 3
- A Levels
- Level 3 BTEC
- Access to HE diploma
- Advanced apprenticeship
Level 4
- Year 1 of an undergraduate (Bachelor's) degree
- Level 4 BTEC
- CertHE (Certificate of Higher Education)
- HNC
- Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
Level 5
- Year 2 of an undergraduate (Bachelor's) degree
- Level 5 BTEC
- Foundation degree
- DipHE (Diploma of Higher Education)
- HND
- Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship
Level 6
- Undergraduate (Bachelor's) degree
- Degree apprenticeship (Undergraduate)
Level 7
- Postgraduate (Masters) degree
- Degree apprenticeship (Postgraduate)
Level 8
- PhD / Doctorate
Why study with us?
There are countless reasons why our university could be the place for you, including our unbeatable links to industry, state-of-the-art facilities and award-winning academics.
But the thing we love most about Salford is the community our staff and students have built together, to make our university a warm and welcoming place to live and study.
You will benefit from being part of both the University of Salford, and the GM IoT network of learners - based here at Salford but with access to support and activities within the GM IoT network.
Greater Manchester Institute of Technology
The world is changing and technical skills are in demand. The Greater Manchester Institute of Technology (GMIoT) offers a range of Higher Technical Skills courses designed to fast track learners into jobs within the construction, engineering, health, and digital sectors – all areas of growth for Greater Manchester.
At Salford we are working in partnership with a variety of colleges and employer partners in the city region to develop courses that ensure our learners have real world experience and prepare them for the jobs of the future.
When studying a Higher Technical Skills course with us, you will have regular contact with industry and employers through visits, guest speakers, live briefs and placement opportunities, and you will learn in state-of-the-art facilities.
You will be based at the University of Salford, and also part of the GMIoT community of learners across the network.
Want to know what's happening at the Greater Manchester Institute of Technology? Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
How to apply
We want to make sure that applying to study a Higher Technical Skills course at the University of Salford is as straightforward as possible, so we’ve put together some useful information to help you with your application. You can find the individual entry requirements on the relevant course page.
If you are an employer and would like to find out more about our Higher Technical Skills courses and how they can be used to develop, retain and up-skill your staff, please get in touch with us at highertechnicalskills@salford.ac.uk.
Fees and funding
Fees for our Higher Technical Skills courses vary and you can find more information about the cost for your chosen course on the individual course webpage. We know that making the decision to study at university can be a big financial commitment, but there’s lots of financial support available to help with the cost of your studies.
Events
Open Day events are the best way to discover more about studying at University of Salford. You’ll have the chance to get help with finance, explore our campus, and learn more about our courses.
Get in touch
Have any questions? Or want to find out more? Please get in touch and we'll be happy to help!