Two-days-a-week degrees to help attract students

A university is to offer "innovative" degree courses under a two-days-a-week study model to attract students put off by irregular timetables or cost.

The full-time programmes at University College Birmingham guarantee students on-campus learning on the same two consecutive days each week.

The university's pro vice-chancellor Prof Helen Poole said the cost-of-living crisis had "changed the reality of who can access higher education".

"This model gives people a route into university that doesn't require relocating, reducing hours at work or absorbing costs they simply can't carry," she said.

Starting in September, the university will run seven courses under the two-day model, ranging from one to three years in length, which it said was designed to appeal to students within a one or two-hour commute.

Learners can sign up to study construction management, criminology, events management, finance and accounting, marketing, primary education studies, or master of business administration courses.

It will also offer a one-night-a-week accommodation contract at The Maltings hall of residence for those who need it.

The university said its research had found the biggest barrier to higher education was "the financial juggle to make ends meet while studying".

Eligible undergraduates are able to apply for up to £6,000 through the University's Cost of Living Allowance.

It hopes the predictable timetable will appeal to those in work and with caring and family responsibilities.

A handful of other providers already offer degree courses under a similar model, including Arden University, University of West London and City College in Norwich.

UCB said it had plans to launch further degrees under the same model in due course.

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