Links
 

British Council The British Council is the UK's international organisation for educational and cultural relations. Their purpose is to enhance the UK's reputation by creating opportunities for people worldwide with programmes in education, English language teaching, the arts and science. Information on the opportunities available is provided through a network of 243 offices and teaching centres in 110 countries.
www.britishcouncil.org/home
 
General Social Care Council (GSCC)
Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)
Care Council for Wales (CCW)
Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC)
The Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work (CCETSW) was replaced on 1 October 2001 by the above named care/services Councils. They now undertake responsibility for promoting, approving and assuring the quality of education and training for social work and social care staff in the personal social services. Their purpose is to ensure high quality education, training and qualifications for social work and social care throughout the United Kingdom.
www.gscc.org.uk
 
Centre for Economic & Social Inclusion
An independent, non-government research, policy, advice and advocacy organisation, with expert knowledge in the field of 'Welfare to Work'. They work closely with Careers Services, Local Government, Unemployment Centres and Welfare Rights organisations to provide advice and information and to engage in research and policy development.
www.cesi.org.uk
 
Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG)
Promotes action for the relief of poverty among children and families with children. They provide comprehensive information on welfare rights and social policy issues.
www.cpag.org.uk
 
Connexions
Connexions offers a range of guidance and support for 13 to 19 year olds to help make the transition to adult life a smooth one. The site is for those involved in delivering Connexions and will, as the service grows, become an important resource for the sharing of information and ideas.
www.connexions.gov.uk
 
Department for Education for Northern Ireland (DENI)
Supports and addresses educational needs in Northern Ireland. Individuals normally resident in Northern Ireland should apply to this department for details of awards available at universities in Britain.
www.deni.gov.uk

Educational Trusts Forum
The Educational Trusts' Forum started in the early 1980s and its membership comprises registered UK charities that exist to support families in need who cannot afford educational or boarding fees. All grants and awards are means-tested.
Pupils may be at independent schools or state schools where a boarding fee is charged.
www.educational-grants.org

Nursing and Midwifery Council
The main purpose of this non-departmental public body is to approve higher education institutions in England providing nursing, midwifery and health visiting education programmes. In addition, they are responsible for providing advice and guidance on supervision of Midwives and Midwifery Practice.
www.nmc-uk.org/
 
Floodlight
An official guide to full time and part time courses in London run by public-sector colleges, universities and adult education centres.
www.floodlight.co.uk
 
The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)
Distributes public money for teaching and research to universities and colleges. In doing so, it aims to promote high quality education and research. The Council also plays a key role in ensuring accountability and promoting good practice.
www.hefce.ac.uk
 
Learn Direct
Gives telephone and on-line advice on over 500,000 courses throughout the UK.
www.learndirect.co.uk
 
Learning and Skills Council
Replaces the Further Education Funding Council, Local Training and Enterprise Councils and the TEC National Council. This organisation aims to manage and promote post 16 education and training provision in England.
www.lsc.gov.uk

National Union of Students (NUS)
Represents the interest of students in further and higher education colleges in the UK by providing research, representation, training and advice to individual students and student unions.
www.nusonline.co.uk/
 
Refugee Council
Provides help and support to asylum seekers and refugees in the UK ensuring their needs and concerns are addressed by providing advice, support and training to individuals and organisations.
www.refugeecouncil.org.uk
 
Royal Institution of Great Britain
Communicates science and technology to members of the public through the provision of lectures and events. Also carries out scientific research aiming to solve current scientific problems and encourages young scientists to progress.
www.ri.ac.uk
 
SKILL (The National Bureau for Students with Disabilities)
SKILL promotes opportunities for young people and adults with any kind of disability in post-16 education, training and employment across the UK. SKILL provides individual support to disabled people, their families/enablers or people working with disabled people by offering an information service.
www.skill.org.uk
 
Society for Research into Higher Education
Independent society which aims to improve the quality of higher education through research, debate and publication of policy issues, organisation and management of higher education institutions, the curriculum, teaching and learning methods.
www.srhe.ac.uk
 
Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS)
Responsible for processing applications for higher education support for eligible Scottish domiciled students undertaking full time higher education courses up to degree level. They also administer the student nursing and midwifery bursary scheme and postgraduate student allowances.
www.student-support-saas.gov.uk
 
Student Loans Company
Administers loans to eligible UK students in higher education. It is owned by the government and operates within the policy context set by the government.
www.slc.co.uk
 
Teacher Training Agency Provides information for those wishing to pursue a career in teaching with information on the different routes into teaching, financial support available and information for training providers. www.canteach.gov.uk
 
UK Council for Graduate Education
Promotes the interests of graduate education by developing quality measures for graduate education and conducting research into higher education institutions with particular interests in the postgraduate sector.
www.ukcge.ac.uk
 
UK Council for Overseas Student Affairs (UKCOSA)
Provides information, advice, guidance and support to international students and professionals working with them, supporting the interests of students from other countries studying in the UK and students in the UK wanting to study abroad.
www.ukcosa.org.uk
 
Universities and Colleges Admissions System (UCAS)
Advice and information given to applicants wishing to undertake courses at university or college. Applicants can search through course subjects and universities and find information on how to apply. They handle all applications for higher education courses leading to a first degree, Higher National Diploma/Certificate (HND/HNC) and Diploma/Certificate of Higher Education.
www.ucas.ac.uk