USW has worked with the Welsh Refugee Council to improve access to free, quality English classes for forced migrants in the area. With waiting lists that could be up to a year long, the University worked with the Welsh Refugee Council to establish a programme of classes that were delivered by students on the University’s TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) courses, alongside voluntary qualified language teachers. More informat…
Responding to the Office For Students (OFS) announcement on funding reforms for 2021-22, University Alliance CEO Vanessa Wilson said “It is disappointing to see OFS progressing with the decision to cut funding for high-cost creative subjects, despite collective concern and opposition from across the sector. We were clear in our submission that cuts to funding for these courses would be a strategic mis-step. The Government themselves have identifi…
…ity of technical qualifications and pathways. The government appears to be rushing headlong into creating a new system that will not meet the needs of all students and risks limiting student choice and flexibility. Many of the existing qualifications that will likely have funding removed offer a valuable and flexible pathway for students, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to access academic, vocational, professional and technical deg…
…needs reforming, but a move to Post Qualifications Admissions could be disruptive and costly, and risks losing many of the benefits from the existing system, argues University Alliance, the voice of professional and technical universities. In their response to the DFE consultation on Post-Qualification Admissions Reform, University Alliance have outlined how they believe the current system could be made significantly simpler, fairer, and more tra…
We have opened the nominations for our #AllianceAwards21 event this year, looking to celebrate the hard work and dedication of those working within our member institutions. Now in it’s second year, the six Alliance awards are based on UA’s principles of working, and recognises those individuals and teams that have demonstrated the behaviours and values that, as a collective of Alliance universities, we believe are important. This year we have als…
Responding to the Prime Minister’s latest announcement on the lifting of lockdown, University Alliance CEO Vanessa Wilson said: “On behalf of our member students and staff we are disappointed that, following this most recent government review, the PM has made no commitment for the remaining higher education students to be allowed to return to campus and in person teaching from 12th April. This is despite overwhelming evidence that our university…
In the recent QAA call for expressions of interest to lead Collaborative Enhancement Partnership Projects, 3 out of the 13 successful bids were from consortia made up of University Alliance Members and members of our Doctoral Training Alliance. Two of the projects, Developing a set of inclusive assessment design attributes for use across the HE sector and Making the language of assessment inclusive, arose through collaborations identified at UA’s…
…n to campus from 12th April, as students in all stages of education have already been permitted. Delaying any further only serves to undermine the tremendous work and significant investment by universities to ensure their campuses are Covid safe and secure for students and staff alike. “Delaying a return any further also has huge and worrying ramifications for the mental health and wellbeing of our students who have already experienced significant…
…To mark National Apprenticeships Week, University Alliance are showcasing the courses, stories and impact of our member’s apprenticeship opportunities. Check out our dedicated page to find out more. …
…are experiencing growing financial hardship as a result of the ongoing disruption from the pandemic. Alliance universities have made significant investments to ensure support reaches those students most in need, including those facing financial difficulty and to tackle challenges relating to digital inclusion and wellbeing. “With demands on the support available continuing to increase, the Government’s announcement of an additional £50million of…