Flexible, including part-time provision, will be critical to the future growth of the UK higher education sector and the number of part-time undergraduates is predicted to increase more than any other group of students over the next 15 years. With the boom in full-time university applications continuing, but a shortage of places, tens of thousands of eligible students will be unable to find a place.

The new government’s first major policy statement on the shape of higher education signals a major movement around part time and distance study with more students studying for a university degree with lectures and classes at local further education college or other institute.

This conference will bring together leaders in higher education to discuss the challenges to making this a reality including funding, student support and retention. It will examine how leading higher education providers are beginning to actively change their approach to accommodate and support a range of student ability, study options and timeframes.

Speakers include:
Professor Bill Jones
Member of the Executive Board, Universities Association for Lifelong Learning (UALL)

Dr Andrew Francis
Senior Lecturer and Admissions Liaison, Keele University

Professor Claire Callender
Professor of Higher Education, Birkbeck, University of London

Tricia King
Pro-Vice-Master for Student Experience, Director of External Relations, Birkbeck, University of London

Lynne Sedgmore
Executive Director, 157 Group