A team of experts will be on hand in Bury St Edmunds to offer advice and guidance to those considering options relating to higher education courses.

Situated at the University Professional Development Centre on Western Way, an open event will take place on Saturday 16 August 2025 between 9.30am and 12.30pm.

Staff from University Studies at West Suffolk College will be on hand to help to discuss course options that range from counselling to construction.

All degrees on offer are validated to the University of East Anglia.

A clearing hotline (01284 412026) has also been set up and more information can be found at Apply through Clearing – before the open day.

2 - Laraine Moody - the Principal of University and Professional Development for Eastern Education Group says experts will be on hand to support people post A level results.JPG

3 - Hannah Price and family at the end of the University Studies at West Suffolk College graduation ceremony - Hannah enjoyed said doing the degree helped her get a job.JPG

Laraine Moody is the group Principal for University and Professional Development. Laraine said: “Whether you’re looking to study a degree, unlock your potential with an Access to Higher Education course, find an Apprenticeship, brush up on your Maths and English or gain skills to improve your job prospects, we’ve got a course for you. Better yet, it’s all here on your doorstep in Bury St Edmunds, so everything is within your reach.”

“No matter what your circumstances are, our open day is the perfect way to discover the variety of courses we have on offer here at our University and Professional Development Centre in Bury St Edmunds, chat with our expert tutors, tour our campus and find out more on student support and funding. We’ll also be on-hand to provide guidance on writing a personal statement (for degree programmes) and making an application.

In terms of general advice for those post results, Laraine added: “Whatever your circumstances, stay calm and positive, be proactive and embrace this chance to find the right path for your future.”

A previous student who benefitted from studying at University Studies at West Suffolk College is Hannah Price, 38, from Bury St Edmunds. Hannah reflected on her time studying in Bury. She said: “I chose University Studies at West Suffolk College as I was interested in the subject, it was on my doorstep and it worked for me and my family. I’ve spoken to people who went to other universities, and they were with hundreds of others in classes and lecturers didn’t know their names. At University Studies, it was a really personal experience and the three years went really quickly.”

“I also did a speech at graduation on behalf of all of the students and it’s probably one of the best things I’ve ever done. Sharing the moment (of graduation) was lovely. My mum was there and she also went to university in later life. It made it a bit special.”

In terms of what happened next, Hannah – who studied on a criminology and sociology degree said: “I now work in investment management. The skills I leant on my degree helped me get the job (with Becketts). They are a brilliant company and fantastic to work with.”

Many courses in English, Maths and access courses are offered at other locations with Eastern Education including Sudbury and at the North Cambridgeshire Training Centre in Chatteris.

Sign up to open days