Millard Parkinson

Higher Education: An Alternative Way

Millard Parkinson Higher Education: An Alternative Way

Further Education Colleges (FECs)

• Delivering higher education (HE) for 40 years • Full-time, part-time and distance learning • Broad range of subjects • Levels 4 – 6 and postgraduate Internal progression from further education (FE) • Partnership with several universities

Millard Parkinson Higher Education: An Alternative Way • Higher National Certificates & Diplomas (HNC, HND) • Foundation Degrees (FdA, FdSc) • Honours Degrees (BA, BSc) • Teaching Qualifications • Professional Qualifications • Postgraduate Qualifications

Millard Parkinson Higher Education: An Alternative Way “FECs meet particular market needs which are not the core focus of HEIs”. HEFCE Strategy for HE in FECs, 2008

Millard Parkinson Higher Education: An Alternative Way In the UK: • 181,000 students on HE courses at FECs • 12% of all HE provision • 269 (91%) FECs offer HE • 48% of HE applicants come from FECs • FECs educate 3M people every year • QAA reviews, 99% of HE in FECs – “Commendable or Approved”

Millard Parkinson Higher Education: An Alternative Way Reasons for Studying at an FEC: • Small groups, small class sizes • High level of support • Good access to technical resources • Respect for students • Approachable staff • Individual academic support

Millard Parkinson Higher Education: An Alternative Way Reasons for Studying at an FEC: • Recognition of student’s different backgrounds • Flexible academic calendar • Strong group identity • High level of teaching • Seamless progression through tertiary education • Total commitment to widening participation

Millard Parkinson Higher Education: An Alternative Way Disadvantages of studying at an FEC: • Low recruitment • Perception as ‘local tech’ • Limited access to research activity • Limited social structure

Millard Parkinson Higher Education: An Alternative Way Recent developments: • Foundation Degrees • HESTRAT • Foundation Degree Endorsement • FDAP

Millard Parkinson Higher Education: An Alternative Way Partnership with HEIs: • Foundation Degree development • Partnership Forums • Shared research opportunities • Fast response to curriculum change • Link Tutor system • Shared staff development activities • Accreditation of short courses • Collaborative funding opportunities

Millard Parkinson Higher Education: An Alternative Way • “The current divide between FE & HE is less and less “fit for purpose” and shows a lack of rationale behind the separation of the 2 tertiary sectors. FE & HE should be parts of the a common enterprise” Professor Gareth Parry (University of Sheffield), co-director – ESRC FurtherHigher Project

Millard Parkinson Higher Education: An Alternative Way • “FECs as well as HEIs have an important role to play in developing locally based HE and in providing and supporting progression routes to HE” Supporting HE in FE, HEFCE, 2009

Millard Parkinson Higher Education: An Alternative Way Aimhigher Solo Project KGV Grammar School, Southport • Young people between 16 – 19 years • Having the capability of progressing onto to HE • Living independently of parents/guardians • Considered as having a high risk of dropping out, not completing, not progressing into HE.

Millard Parkinson Higher Education: An Alternative Way Ravenhead Foyer FdA Music Technology has had a work based learning placement in their media centre for a number of years providing music technology/multimedia training for its residents.

Millard Parkinson Higher Education: An Alternative Way HEFCE Summer Schools • Music/Performing Arts/Multimedia project • 5 day Non-residential • Year 11

Millard Parkinson Higher Education: An Alternative Way Teaching with new(er) technologies • Internet – e-learning • Mobile ‘phones • Hand-held devices • Games consoles • Social networking sites

Millard Parkinson Higher Education: An Alternative Way

Questions?

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