The country’s largest specialist construction college said it has significantly expanded the number of courses it offers to meet growing demand.

Leeds College of Building’s principal Ian Billyard said: “Many school and college leavers previously saw university as the natural next step but having to pay costly tuition fees has encouraged many to explore alternative options.

“As a result we’re experiencing high demand across all our higher education courses as students look for a viable alternative to university study and this is a key area that we plan to continue developing.

“We’re now looking at how we can create a route through to higher education across every apprenticeship and full-time course that we run for those students that want the opportunity to go further.”

School leavers and workers can now study for HNCs, HNDs and Higher Apprenticeships on both a full and part-time basis.

Brian Duffy, faculty director of Higher Education & Construction Management, said: “The first step towards this new full-time HE provision for students who are set to leave school from either year 11 or year 12 would be the BTEC Extended Diploma at Level 3, which is equivalent to 3 A Levels.

“This course offers potential career progression across architectural technology, building services, civil engineering and surveying as well as a host of other roles such as construction management, estimating, planning and quantity surveying.”