NEW FOUNDATION DEGREES

4th March 2004

NEW FOUNDATION DEGREES AT EDGE HILL

Over 150 additional student places have been awarded to Edge Hill College of Higher Education by the Higher Education Funding Council of England (HEFCE) for those wishing to study at Foundation Degree level.

The Lancashire institution aims to strengthen its position as one of the largest providers of Foundation Degrees in the country, by offering many more new programmes in a range of subject areas.

Forty-six new places have been awarded for people in the Merseyside region who wish to study Foundation Degrees in Computing and Management, and over the next two years 95 places will be allocated to support Teaching and Learning Foundation Degrees, accredited by Lancaster University.

In addition, further new places for those wishing to study Assistant Practitioner Foundation Degrees in health will be available, with Edge Hill working in partnership with other higher education institutions in the region.

Foundation Degrees are the higher education courses designed with employer input to address national skills shortages. Launched In September 2001, these qualifications are supported by businesses keen to make sure that their needs are met. The higher and further education sector is also involved to make sure that underpinning knowledge and skills meet the students? current and future needs too.

Mark Flinn is Director of Academic Affairs and Quality Management at Edge Hill. He said: "This year the first cohort of students to take up Foundation Degrees will graduate with a vocational qualification and the skills demanded from today?s employers. We are delighted to be able to offer many more places to people who wish to enhance their career prospects and gain a valued qualification. The Government's White Paper, The Future of Higher Education, announced that foundation degrees will become the major vehicle for expansion in higher education, and Edge Hill is proud to be at the forefront of that development." ENDS

EDITOR?S NOTES: For further information please contact: Roisin Rowley-Smith PR Manager Tel: 01695 584509 Fax: 01695 584355 E mail: rowlesr@edgehill.ac.uk or pressoffice@edgehill.ac.uk