A PROFESSIONAL career doesn’t always mean you have to go to university.

Over the next month thousands of potential students from across the Southern region will be considering whether university is the right route for them.

The average debt for a student leaving university is now about £53,000, and with maintenance grants being converted to loans by the government this figure will rise even further.

However, not wanting to burden yourself with this level of debt doesn’t mean a professional career is beyond you.

Many professional bodies such as ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) don’t require a degree.

Studying for a professional qualification instead of choosing to complete an undergraduate degree can have a number of advantages.

You can work while you study, earning valuable experience, and once completed you will have a professional qualification and, depending on your study options, a Masters degree from the University of London by the time most people will be completing their undergraduate degree.

University experience can be an important part of your development, but it is always worth considering whether it is something you want to do, whether it is important to your career aspirations, or are you doing it because it’s the next logical step.

In today’s competitive job market, three years’ experience gained while studying for a professional qualification could put you ahead of your peers.

Jonathan Shaw, ACCA Southern Members’ Network Chair