U.K. Further Education Colleges Given Powers to Award Their Own Foundation Degrees

Further education institutions in England can now apply for powers to award their own Foundation degrees under new regulations that came into force on 1 May. To remain competitive in the global economy, the Government is committed to increasing the proportion of workers with high level skills, from the 31 per cent level already achieved to over 40 per cent by 2020.

The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills is supporting the development of new types of higher education provision to complement traditional models because three quarters of the 2020 workforce have already left compulsory education. This will include more flexible courses designed and co-funded by employers.

Foundation degrees are higher education qualifications designed in co-operation between education institutions and employers. Courses combine academic study with workplace learning enabling individuals to develop their careers whilst helping business to retain talent and increase productivity

Minister of State for Further and Higher Education Bill Rammell said:

“I want to ensure that our further and higher education systems are as flexible and responsive as possible to meet the needs of learners and employers. This reform will allow the leading providers of higher education in the further education sector greater autonomy, if they can show that they have earned it.

“Foundation degrees, developed with employers, are exactly the sort of courses which we are looking to encourage through our recently launched High Level Skills Strategy consultation. Colleges with the capacity and motivation to provide these programs should be allowed to do so.

“Foundation degrees continue to grow in popularity as both students and employers appreciate the innovative nature of these qualifications and research published today shows we are well on the way towards meeting our ambition for 100,000 Foundation degree students by 2010.”

Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges Martin Doel said:

“This new power to validate their own foundation degrees will give colleges even more flexibility to meet business needs and build on their strong track-record of engaging with employers. It is also an important step towards increasing access for those who would not have traditionally entered higher education, while expanding the availability of ‘alternative’ routes to university - a third of current foundation degree students progress to further learning, the majority on an Honours degree.”

Colleges interested in obtaining powers to award Foundation degrees must apply to the Privy Council, who will receive advice from the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills based on an assessment of the applicant institution made by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.

Source: Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills

Net News Publisher