Access Agreement 2011/12
1 Introduction
Carlisle College has a proven rack record in the delivery of high quality vocational Higher Education and in widening participation in HE. The College strives to ensure fair and equal access to HE courses for all those who wish to and are able to, benefit from this level of study. The college works with Aim Higher as part of a widening participation agenda as well as offering an Access course to enable students to progress to HE.
This Access Agreement details the terms of the tuition fees charged by the College to HE students from September 2009 onwards and how the College plans to enable individuals to achieve their potential in HE.
2 Fee Limits
2.1 Courses covered by the agreement
This agreement applies to all courses for which Carlisle College receives funding directly from the Higher Education Funding Council for England. The fees charged for indirectly funded courses will be determined by the university providing the funding.
2.2 Students included within the agreement
All students who are eligible to pay EU tuition fees are included in this agreement. If Carlisle College recruits any students who are classified as overseas students, they will pay an arranged separate tuition fee, which is to be determined.
2.3 Agreement renewal
This agreement will be reviewed annually from September 2009 onwards.
2.4 Tuition fees
From 1 September 2009, Carlisle College will charge tuition fees of up to £3,225 to students on full time undergraduate programmes. This higher level tuition fee will not apply to students who started their HE programme of study prior to 1 September 2008.
The tuition fee for 2010/11 will be £3290 in line with the Government figure and future fees for all students will be subject to the annual inflationary increase announced by the Government.
The tuition fee for 2011/12 will be £3375 in line with the Government figure and future fees for all students will be subject to the annual inflationary increase announced by the Government.
2.5 Part time students
Part time students will pay a pro-rata tuition fee calculated on a modular basis. Therefore the fees paid will depend on the number of modules to be studied in each academic year.
3 Bursary Scheme
To encourage HE participation, the College will offer a bursary scheme from September 2009.
We will provide all Full Time students with the opportunity to apply for a non-means tested bursary of up to £1080 per annum in 2009/10. For 2010/11 the non-means tested bursaries for Full Time students will be £1140 and future bursaries will incorporate government announced annual inflationary increases.
For 2011/12 the non-means tested bursaries for Full Time students will be £1170 and future bursaries will incorporate government announced annual inflationary increases.
This bursary scheme is additional to any financial support which may be currently available to the College's HE students.
4 Provision of Information to Students
Clear information about the tuition fees that apply to HE courses at Carlisle College and the financial support available to students will be readily accessible in the college prospectus, website, College literature, leaflets and advice from the Student Support Services department, and at interview.
All prospective HE students will be advised of the aggregate amount of fees that will be charged for the completion of their chosen course prior to the start of the course.
Internal marketing will be used for existing level 3 students.
Internal communication will ensure an accurate and consistent message is disseminated and clearly understood.
5 Outreach Work
The College will promote Higher Education to non-traditional students through partnerships and contacts with local community organisations and agencies including employers. It will continue its engagement in the Cumbria Aim Higher programme.
Over 600 year 10 and 11 pupils from local schools attend Carlisle College to engage in vocational courses to provide additional breadth to their studies. These programmes specifically allow successful participation in vocational programmes that provide aspiration and real opportunities to pursue further vocational study post 16.
The College's Access to HE programme provides opportunities to develop skills and knowledge, to approximately 100 adult students per year, to support their smooth transition into Higher Education.
Carlisle College delivers a number of vocational and skills for life courses in the workplace and in community venues. Through these courses we aim to engage learners into the learning process and encourage progression into mainstream College provision and, where appropriate, into Higher Education.
6 Historical Recruitment Patterns During 2009/10 (listed below):-
|
Total number of enrolments = |
240 |
|
Mode of attendance = |
30% FT |
|
Gender = |
57% Male |
|
Proportion identified as Socio-economically disadvantaged = |
10% |
|
Proportion identified as being of Ethnic minority = |
2% |
|
Proportion disclosing and identified with a recognised disability = |
4% |
|
Achievement |
83% |
7 Milestones for 2010/11
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To improve the internal progression from College FE courses.
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Year on year improvement of overall Success on HE programmes across the college, namely:
- Increased retention / reduced attrition.
- Increased achievement.
- To increase participation on HE programmes, including those from under-represented groups.
- To maintain the current broad mix of undergraduates in terms of age, gender and levels of disadvantage whilst improving the recruitment of non traditional learners onto its programmes.
- To increase the proportion, where appropriate, of final year learners onto Top-up Undergraduate programmes.
8 Institutional Monitoring Arrangements
Carlisle College undertakes to monitor compliance with the commitments made under this agreement. The following indicators will be monitored annually:
The number of students taking up the bursaries and patterns of awards
The retention and achievement rates for HE students
The age, gender ethnicity and socio-economic characteristics of the students.
The HE co-ordinator will report on the above annually to the College's Board, senior managers and governors.
