The new courses will focus on subjects that will tackle skills shortages
The University of Hull is one of 130 institutions set to offer the new system(Image: Donna Clifford/HullLive)
The University of Hull has been named as one of the first 130 universities and colleges to roll out a new, more flexible student finance system. The changes, announced by the Government, seek to give adults balancing responsibilities such as work and childcare a new route into university and college.
From September, people will, for the first time, be able to access student finance for shorter, flexible, bite-sized courses, known as ‘modules’, as well as traditional university degrees. The University of Hull has been approved to offer the new smaller courses.
The new courses will mean people can gain qualifications over time, rather than needing to complete a rigid three-year full-time degree. The Government says the modules on offer will focus on subjects that will tackle skills shortages, including economics and computing, engineering and architecture, as well as health and social care.
The Government’s Skills Minister, Jacqui Smith, said: “Financial support should be available whether you want to do a degree, take a short course, or retrain later in life. Our changes will make that happen, with the option to access student finance in any stage of life.
“Whether it’s fitting study around a job, retraining for a completely new career, juggling childcare, or getting qualifications later in life, the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement will open up new opportunities for thousands more people to build the careers they want and get on in life.”
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Eligible students will also be able to apply for maintenance support to help with living costs and funding will be provided in smaller amounts linked to the size of the course being studied, rather than only through full academic years. People who already have a degree may still be able to access the new funding, either if they have remaining student finance available in their pot or want to retrain in certain priority subject areas.
Discussing the University of Hull‘s inclusion in the reforms, Professor John Craig, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education), said: “As a university with a strong commitment to improving skills in our region and making high quality educational opportunities accessible to people in our local communities, we are developing our LLE offer with a focus on provision that can open up opportunities for people to get secure and well paid work.”
Other institutions in Yorkshire included in the reforms include:
- University of Leeds
- Sheffield Hallam University
- University of Bradford
- York St John University.
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