LONDON, August 18, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Competition for university places in the UK is high. Fortunately, there are alternative routes for school leavers to obtain a degree or even progress directly to an MBA programme. Business and Management qualifications from The Association of Business Executives (ABE) offer one such route which can be studied at college or through self-study.

For example, students with two A-levels or equivalent can enter directly on to the Diploma level. Equally if a student has no formal qualifications they can start with the ABE at Certificate level. ABE works with 187 colleges in the UK and more than 500 tuition providers worldwide, so if you're looking for a place to study near you it is easy to find one.

ABE has agreements with more than 40 universities in the UK and another 35 across the world to offer qualification holders direct entry to the first, second or third year of many degree programmes and, with the right work experience or the ABE Postgraduate Diploma, entry to an MBA programme. Typically students holding the ABE Certificate can gain direct entry onto the first year of a Bachelors degree, holders of the ABE Diploma can get credit from part or all of the first year of a Bachelors degree and holders of the ABE Advanced Diploma can fast-track to the final year of a Bachelors degree.

ABE Marketing Manager Ian Fraser, commented, Don't despair if you haven't got the A level grades you need. You can still get a place at university and a degree if you achieve an ABE qualification first, plus you gain a professional business qualification in its own right which will help you stand out from others when applying for your first job.

You will also find taking an ABE qualification a cheaper option overall to get your degree. It depends on what year you enter university (and thus how many years of fees you have to pay), where you study for your ABE qualification, how long you take, whether you stay at home while studying and factors like that, but the ABE route does suit many people.

ABE provides qualifications in six areas: 'Business Management,' 'Business Information Systems', 'Financial Management', 'Human Resource Management', 'Marketing' and 'Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Management'. All qualifications are available at Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma level. Business Management is also available at Postgraduate Diploma level. ABE is a professional body established in 1973 which is accredited by Ofqual. All ABE qualifications are listed on the National Database of Accredited Qualifications.

To view a complete list of ABE accredited colleges and university progression agreements visit the ABE website at http://www.abeuk.com/aboutabe/clearing.

Contact Ian Fraser Marketing Manager The Association of Business Executives, 5th Floor, CI Tower, St Georges Square, High Street, New Malden, Surrey, KT3 4TE Phone: +44(0)20-8329-2936 Email: marketing@abeuk.com Website: http://www.abeuk.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/abetalk

SOURCE: The Association of Business Executives (ABE)

CONTACT: Ian Fraser, Marketing Manager, The Association of BusinessExecutives, 5th Floor, CI Tower, St Georges Square, High Street, NewMalden, Surrey, KT3 4TE, Phone: +44(0)20-8329-2936, Email:marketing@abeuk.com