Challenges for HE
and FE: working
together 20112015
Overview
1.
What’s going on out there that may have an
impact on our Partnership?
2.
What are the students’ thoughts?
3.
What might the future hold and what are the
challenges for our Partnership?
National Strategy
“ As set out in our
framework for HE we
will expand new types of
HE… This will include
part-time and workbased courses, and the
expansion of foundation
degrees “
Source: Skills for Growth 2010
How is this being perceived?

Major change – driven by funding

Priority for certain curriculum areas

Reduction in choice – economics v desire

HE for HE experience no longer an option

Degree still seen as a pinnacle to achieve

Vocational route growing in relevance, stature and
attraction
Current Position

1 in 8 undergraduates are studying for their
degree in an FE college

FE colleges attract a significant proportion of
adult and part time students

The majority of FE based HE complements the
offer made by universities
Current Position (cont’d)

Strong links with employers

Accommodating those students who may not
have participated

Cost effective

More direct teaching
Source:
Rising to the challenge. How FE colleges are key to the future of FE.
MEG/157 publication 2010
What do the students think?
LSIS Survey 2010
(800 foundation degree students)

Only 5% applied to FE as a second option

Main reason for applying to FE college:
◦ Near to home (53%)
◦ Existing familiarity with college (30%)
◦ Course mandated by employer (10%)
What are the students’
thoughts?
The Future?
The Future?

More sector driven/designed courses

More single company driven/designed courses

The FD as an outcome of an apprenticeship

More direct teaching input from employers
The Future? (cont’d)

More joint FE provision

More 18 -21 year olds following the FD route

National conversion of some professional
programmes to FD
Structural models for the
future?

FE college as stand alone provider with
awarding powers

FE college consortia with awarding powers

National FE body/agency established as
awarding body
Structural models for the
future? (cont’d)

‘Named’ universities to specialise in FD in FE
(possibly regional with central grant funding)

Current ACP model
Challenges?

As much change in FE as in HE

FE sector will be very ambitious

Government will support FE initiatives – and
want quick solutions and results

Future student choice – indicates growing
demand for 2 year programmes
FE and HE working together –
Challenges?

FE colleges will want to expand their provision
and will want to develop new courses that offer
progression for their level 3 students

The university and college relationship - a
partnership of equals or a hierarchy?

University and the ACP: Developing a shared
mission and strategy
FE and HE working together –
Challenges? (cont’d)

Working together as partners to meet the
needs of adult learners by providing pre-course
support?

The opportunity for FE to gain FD awarding
powers may change the nature of the ACP

How will the new finance and funding regime
change the working practice of HE in FE
partnerships?
However ...

Good FD provision needs a good FE college
and a good university that BELIEVES in
the FD!

“Graduates of Foundation degrees offered by
Oxford Brookes are outshining their
colleagues who come to the university through
more traditional routes. In 2007, 71% of
students who graduated via the Foundation
degree route achieved either a First or 2.1
compared with 54% for the university as a
whole.”