Foundation degree places on track for 2010 target

8 May 08
Universities are on track to meet government targets and provide 100,000 foundation degree places by 2010.

09 May 2008

Universities are on track to meet government targets and provide 100,000 foundation degree places by 2010.

A report published by the Higher Educational Funding Council for England this week notes that 72,000 students enrolled on foundation degree programmes in 2007/08, which means the sector is on course to meet the 2010 target.

According to the report, 64% of those beginning a foundation degree in 2005/06 were aged 21 or over, and 57% were female.

Foundation degrees are relatively new qualifications intended to raise the low level of skills in the UK workforce. Revolving around specific jobs or professions, they have been designed in collaboration with employers, and emphasise learning through and at work.

Hefce chief executive David Eastwood said the May 6 report showed that foundation degrees were attracting people into higher education from a broader range of backgrounds.

'As the development of foundation degrees gathers momentum they are proving to be a very effective vehicle for widening access by attracting new types of students and developing a highly skilled workforce in key areas of the economy,' he said.

'They are also proving to be important in opening up progression routes, with less than a third having A-levels on entry and more than half of the students going on to study for an honours degree.'

 

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