Edge Hill tops Government's list for university grant awards

Edge Hill University has been awarded the highest percentage increase in teaching funds of any University in the country.

The 2009/10 allocations were announced this morning by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). The statement also indicated that Edge Hill has the highest percentage growth overall in the North-West region.

The additional allocation of over £2.5m is a reward for the University's success in meeting the Government's aspirations for increasing vocational education and for providing opportunities for students from backgrounds traditionally under-represented in higher education.

For the first time the funding also recognises the 'world-class' status given to research carried out at Edge Hill University after the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise.

The grants are the most widely discussed and sought after in the higher education sector, and it is thought that they will be crucial in the universities fight against the effects of the recession.

Dr. John Cater, Vice-Chancellor of Edge Hill University, commenting on this morning's announcement, said:

"The University is delighted that our work through the Greater Merseyside and West Lancashire Lifelong Learning Network has resulted in the allocation of an additional 260 funded places for local students on vocational programmes delivered in partnership with the further education sector.

"We are also equally pleased to receive substantial funding for our internationally-recognised research activity for the first time. The 11 per cent growth in our income from the Higher Education Funding Council for England will secure a sizeable number of jobs and facilitate further investment, bringing widespread benefits at a time of severe recession."