Degrees have been the preserve of teenagers who expect to study for three
years with long summer breaks. But the rise of flexible learning means that
students are increasingly likely to be middle-aged, taking a career break,
or wanting to graduate as soon as possible.
Fast-track and foundation degrees lasting two years cater for this new breed
of university “customer” who wants to study in a hurry.
Interest in both types of courses is soaring and experts believe that they are
vital to the future of higher education. Fast-track degrees take a normal
course - often honours - but students lose their three-month summer break
and study intensively throughout the two years. They emerge with the same
qualification as if they had studied for three years.
These degrees were introduced two years ago at five universities and the first
fast-track students will graduate this summer.
Now ten institutions offer the compressed degrees in subjects including law,
creative writing, geography, English, business management, accounting and
finance, and sports science.
Although only about 350 students opt to go fast track, universities expect the
number to rise as the courses become better known.
They are marketed as a cheaper way of studying now that top-up tuition fees
leave many students tens of thousands of pounds in debt. Most fast-trackers
save a year's worth of fees and accommodation costs. The University of Derby
points out the
financial advantages of taking a fast-track degree on its website and notes
how this method of study could suit students of all ages: “Perhaps, you want
to take time out of your career to study and move up the ladder. You might
be taking a gap year, but still want to graduate with your friends from
school.”
Steve Wyn Williams, head of the Academic Development Institute at
Staffordshire University, says its fast-track students are motivated and
dedicated: “This isn't for all students or all subject areas but it does
attract people who are a bit older and those who want to change direction in
their career and feel they haven't got the luxury of time or money.
“At the moment it's a bargain for students. The Government does want to pursue
this as part of the higher education landscape.”
He adds that there have been some grumblings among staff about giving up their
long summer break but most are pleased to be part of something innovative.
The university, like others, has adopted “blended learning” to take students
through the traditional summer break, with an intensive two-week summer
school, followed by internet-based distance learning until the start of the
autumn term.
Wyn Williams says a population fall in the number of 18-year-olds after 2010
means that universities will have to attract a different type of student.
“Although it's not catastrophic, the demographic drop will affect the cohort
and means institutions will have to fish in other pools.”
Adult learners and those studying from the workplace are growing in number.
Foundation degrees, aimed at this sector, are designed by universities in
liaison with employers. They combine academic study with workplace learning
and are intended to appeal to those who would not normally consider higher
education.
Set up in 2001, they were taken by 72,000 people this year, across 2,500
courses. The Government wants 100,000 students to qualify with a foundation
degree by 2010. Ministers have also set an ambitious target of 50 per cent
of young people being in higher education by the same year.
Last month further education (FE) colleges were told they could apply for the
power to award their own foundation degrees.
The qualifications used to be validated through universities, even if taken at
the FE college. Bill Rammell, the Higher Education Minister,
said at the time: “I want to ensure that our further and higher education
systems are as flexible and responsive as possible.
“Foundation degrees, developed with employers, are exactly the sort of courses
that we are looking to encourage. Both students and employers appreciate the
innovative nature of these qualifications.”
Martin Doel, chief executive of the Association of Colleges, says the
popularity of foundation degrees is an
“important step towards increasing access for those who would not have
traditionally entered higher education, while expanding the availability of
alternative routes to university”. A third of foundation degree students
progress to further learning.
Doel's comments are echoed by Cath Orange, a pro-vice-chancellor at Leeds
Metropolitan University, which offers foundation degrees. She says they
cater for the types of students who may not have thrived in a formal
environment. “We have changed our curriculum to fit with learners. What
higher eduation has traditionally done is expect the learners to fit the
curriculum. The foundation degree allows for all sorts of flexibility, such
as ways of assessment or delivery.”
Almost 360 colleges and universities now offer foundation degrees and the
average completion rate is 79 per cent, which compares favourably with other
higher education courses.
Case Study
Robert Goacher scraped through his A levels the first time round and had no
idea what career to pursue. Now, aged 23, he is predicting As and Bs in his A
levels this summer, so he can take a fast-track law degree.
He is set to begin the two-year course at the University of Gloucestershire
this autumn.
Goacher, who previously worked as a technician in an optician's shop, is keen
to progress with his new career and wants to take the degree as quickly as
possible.
“I got average GCSE results and E grades in my A levels then went straight out
to work,” he says.
“I did badly first time round because I had no idea what to do for the rest of
my life. I began work but was struggling with money and realised I could
achieve more if I had a degree. It was only after a few years that I felt
mature and focused enough to go back and take A levels again.”
Goacher, who grew up in Worthing, was living in Canterbury. He moved back in
with his parents and enrolled at college there to study A levels in law,
government and politics, and history.
“It's been fantastic, completely different from my first time at college,
although it does seem strange because all the other students are so much
younger than me,” he says.
“I chose the fast-track course after finding it on a website and
realising that I really wanted to do it.
“I felt it was perfect for me because I would graduate in two years and I just
want to get it done. Then I can move on with my life and career.
“After working full time it would feel like a waste to have three months off
in the summer. It's a cheaper option and I'll be in the workplace quicker.”
Im 22 and I did a 1 year Access course in college to get into university and I'm taking a standard 3 year degree. So, I'm also spending 4 years in total but I think it has to be better to spend 1 year in college and 3 years at university than 2 years in college and 2 in university.
Alexander, London,
Make sure your foundation degree offers a work placement with out it they are virtually useless as employers inevitably want people with experience.
Lynn Elliott, Norwich, England