1. Challenges for HE and FE: working together 2011- 2015

2. Overview
What’s going on out there that may have an impact on our Partnership?
What are the students’ thoughts?
What might the future hold and what are the challenges for our Partnership?

3. National Strategy
“ As set out in our framework for HE we will expand new types of HE… This will include part-time and work- based courses, and the expansion of foundation degrees “
Source: Skills for Growth 2010

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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%)

8. What are the students’ thoughts?

9. The Future?

10. 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

11. The Future? (cont’d) More joint FE provision
More year olds following the FD route
National conversion of some professional programmes to FD

12. 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

13. Structural models for the future? (cont’d)
‘Named’ universities to specialise in FD in FE (possibly regional with central grant funding)
Current ACP model

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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?

17. 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.”