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Good Practice

Part-time Admissions

Part-time study is currently high on the political agenda. Lord Mandelson's speech on 3 November 2009 outlined a higher education framework in England; Higher Ambitions, which set out flexible, employer and work-linked education as a priority for government. Part-time study issues are also the subject of keen interest in Wales, with its distinctive approach to funding by credit unit, and in Scotland. It has also been the subject of reports from a number of think-tanks and educational and economic organisations.

The higher education sector is being encouraged to look at part-time provision, in all its guises, as one way to support many objectives; it is considered to enhance fair access, to improve access for adults and to allow students to study flexibly. It also is seen as supporting the UK within the global economy by encouraging higher education to work with employers, further education institutions and other providers, developing courses and higher skills.

To help meet the needs of the sector and to develop good practice in this area SPA is currently working on a Good Practice Statement. Issues covered will include the definition of part-time students, the need for institutions to consider the demand for part-time study, the opportunities for institutions to offer new courses, how institutions could make information available, application procedures and advice and guidance.

As part of the consultation SPA will contact HE providers, including specialist 'part-time' providers, and key organisations such as Lifelong Learning Networks, HELOA and Action on Access but we would also like to speak to all involved in the recruitment and admission of part-time students and in providing guidance to prospective students and applicants.

An initial paper looking at some of the issues is available here. We would be very grateful for comments and ideas and, very importantly, for examples of current good practice. Is there anything in the draft we have omitted? Is there anything you think should be clearer, or that should be more definite, or that you disagree with? And is there anything you can tell us that your institution does well, or that you know of elsewhere, that would be of help to others across higher education? We intend to issue the Good Practice Statement in the first half of 2010, following the consultation process.

Please get in touch with Leslie Currie, SPA Senior Project officer, at l.currie@spa.ac.uk, 01242 544757.

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Created: November 2009