Partner Article

Colleges are more cost-effective than universities

STUDENTS who graduate from colleges are leaving with £17,500 less debt than their University counterparts.

As the Browne Review of higher education and the Comprehensive Spending Review throw the spotlight on the issue of HE debt more starkly than ever a recent study by university researchers.

Push has forecast that students who started at university last year are likely to owe more than £23,200 by the time they leave and new students should reckon on around £1,500 more than that.

However, according to new research released yesterday by the Association of Colleges (AoC) found that, on average, college students graduating in the next few years expect to owe a total of around £5,681.

Lindsey Whiterod, Principal and Chief Executive at South Tyneside College, said: “ Prospective HE students are faced with making significant upfront investments in their future.

“Now, more than ever, they will want to weigh up their different options carefully to see how they can keep debts to a minimum while achieving a high quality qualification.

She added:“ These initial findings highlight the vital role that colleges are playing in providing high quality, affordable, flexible HE courses to young people and adults across the UK, offering an attractive alternative route to achieve the qualifications they need to progress in their chosen careers.“

One of the main findings was that differences between the way UK colleges and universities deliver higher education (HE) courses mean that college students have greater opportunities to work part-time while studying.

That along with the ability to live at home and reduced travel costs are all key factors in minimising the overall debt levels of HE college students.

Adrian Bailey, Chair of the Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee, Said: “In today’s straightened economic times, HE students want the flexibility to be able to work and study at the same time, as well as the choice to study close to their own homes.

“Colleges, enable them to do this and minimise the personal debt they incur as a result.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .