Reading College, the Thames Valley’s leading further education
institution, today announced that it is bringing higher education back
to the College. Six new courses driven by the local job market’s need
for specific skills will be on offer across a range of subjects for the
2012 – 2013 academic year.
As the substantial rise in university tuition fees starts to deter many
students from higher education, the College was keen to support the
local community by introducing a more cost-effective option. Studying at
the College can increase the financial stability of students in a
number of ways including: paying significantly lower tuition fees,
continuing to live at home and having the opportunity to work either
full or part time while studying.
For students looking to break into the engineering and construction
industries, a Higher National Diploma in Electrical and Electronic
Engineering is available in addition to a Higher National Certificate in
the same subject as well as Construction. A foundation degree course is
available in Business and Enterprise and the College will maintain its
great tradition in arts and design by offering a foundation degree in
the subject. Reading College will also provide a Professional Graduate
Certificate in Education (PGCE) – a must have for graduates looking to
enter the teaching profession.
Lesley Donoghue, Principal of Reading College comments: “I’m delighted
that we are able to offer top quality higher education to the local
area. This is very timely as university tuition fees treble this year
and many people need a more cost-effective option available locally. The
key strength of these courses is that they are designed by employers
for employment. I’ve seen students start to worry about their job
prospects after completing a degree, so we have worked closely with
local businesses to ensure our higher education leaves students with the
best possible chance of gaining employment after completing their
course.”
Since the Oxford and Cherwell Valley College (OCVC) Group took charge of
Reading College in 2010, it has always planned to offer a higher
education program that’s relevant to the local employment market. In the
National Student Survey of 2010-2011, 95% of OCVC higher education
students said they were satisfied with their course, which is 12% above
the national average. Of the OCVC higher education students in their
final year, an average of 98% achieve their qualification.
The Foundation Degrees and PGCE are awarded by Oxford Brookes University
through its partnership with OCVC and delivered at Reading College.
OCVC has indicated that it will look to expand its higher education
offerings at Reading College in future.
For more information on the higher education offered at Reading College please visit: www.reading-college.ac.uk/HE
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