Don't feel sorry for yourself

So, you had your heart set on a degree course at one of the universities and judging by your points, you're unlikely to make the grade. As a result, you're now feeling that the end of the world has arrived. Well, don't. The advice from the experts is: Stop sitting there feeling sorry for yourself. Instead, take action and coolly and calmly consider your options.

One significant choice you have is to opt for a certificate or diploma course which could, eventually, lead you to that much coveted degree. Many people overlook the fact that a growing number of national certificate and diploma programmes offer the opportunity to go on and work for a degree. It may take you a little longer than through the conventional ab-initio route, but with hard work and effort, you can still get there in the end.

It's called the ladder system, and it takes you from a two-year certificate course through a one-year diploma to a one or two-year, addon degree. Eligible students are entitled to free fees and to apply for maintenance grants as they progress up the ladder. In some cases you can remain in your college to study, in other cases you may find you have to move to another institution or even go to university in Britain.

Growing numbers of people are using the ladder option to progress - indeed some people finish up with doctorates.

By accepting a place on a two-year certificate or a three-year diploma programme, you may, if you perform well in your exams, proceed to the next level. For this, you will need a merit or a distinction in your exams (55 per cent or over). Even if you fail to achieve the correct grade, but manage to pass your exams, you can still proceed from certificate to diploma to an add-on degree programme. Once you pass your certificate exams and obtain a year's relevant work experience, you can return to college and do a diploma. One of the benefits of working for a degree on the ladder system is that you are acquiring valid and sought-after qualifications as you go.

If all this sounds easy, it's worth remembering that obtaining a merit or a distinction does require hard work - but then so does acquiring a degree at university.

Last year, 16,189 students accepted places on certificate and diploma courses, compared with 15,658 the previous year. This year, however, the CAO has received fewer applications for certificate and diploma courses than they did last year - 57,276 in 1999 as compared with 58,164 in 1998, despite an overall increase of 200 applications.

Whatever you decide about your future, you'd be unwise to turn down an offer of a place on a certificate or diploma course without careful thought. Study the list of courses listed below - it will give you an idea of the range of add-on degree programmes available this year. And remember, by the time you're ready for the degree option, the range will have increased even further.