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Move towards a university for Peterborough
News from The Peterborough Evening Telegraph, www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk
PETERBOROUGH is a step closer to being a university city as applications to higher education continue to rise.
The University Centre Peterborough (UCP) has enjoyed an eight per cent increase in the number of people wanting to study there unlike most universities.
It is currently a joint venture between Peterborough Regional College, in Park Crescent, and Anglia Ruskin University, in Cambridge and Chelmsford.
Currently, a campus needs at least 4,000 students to be considered a stand-alone university with about 650 currently studying in Peterborough.
But strong indications have been made that the national figure could be dropped to 1,000, which could mean there is a University of Peterborough in two years.
Dr Mark Mabey, executive director of UCP, was delighted with the news.
He said: “It is very pleasing that we are up.
“I don’t know many universities that have gone up, many of the regional universities have seen a drop of about 25 per cent.
“We think people see Peterborough as an up and coming place. That, tied with our reduced fees makes us very attractive.
“We have been doing so well we think we will be given more places for next year and the year after, which means we can start pressing the buttons to become a University of Peterborough.”
Dr Mabey said this new-found independence would provide greater flexibility. He added that it would have knock-on effects including the chance to increase the number of jobs at the centre.
John Holdich, Peterborough City Council cabinet member for education, skills and university, was over the moon at the news.
He said: “We are delighted. We have been working with them to get some extra places and that looks likely.
“It would be great news for the city if we get a University of Peterborough.”
And the news has been welcomed by the business community.
John Bridge, chairman of Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, said: “It is very important that we educate the younger people to the highest level.
“It is positive to see the number of applications in Peterborough increasing when the rest of the country is decreasing.
“What we need is to get more people through university for the businesses we have in Peterborough and continue to attract to Peterborough.”
But MP for Peterborough Stewart Jackson warned the centre not to expand for the sake of it.
He said: “The centre should be expanding courses in construction, engineering and environmental science. We don’t need any more media studies or social studies, they would be a waste of time.
“Expanding for the sake of it is pointless but it is a good thing if it means we keep more of our talented youth contributing to the local economy.”
Exam pledge
PETERBOROUGH City Council’s education boss Councillor John Holdich has pledged a review after a government decision to downgrade some school courses.
His pledge comes after Education Secretary Michael Gove MP announced yesterday he was cutting the value of about 3,100 courses, such as BTecs, meaning their results will no longer count in school league tables.
The Government said the courses’ high value created an incentive for schools to offer the courses, which are seen as easier than traditional subjects.
Cllr Holdich, who is the cabinet member for education, said: “We do need some vocational courses for students who probably wouldn’t achieve in more academic qualifications. I don’t know if this will affect our league tables but we will look into it.”
The Government has not announced which of the courses will be downgraded but from 2014 only 70 courses will rank as equivalent to GCSEs.
At the moment a level 1 certificate in practical office skills and the BTec level 2 extended certificate in fish husbandry is worth two GCSEs.
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Contact our news team by email news@peterboroughtoday.co.uk, telephone 01733 588719, on Twitter - @peterboroughet or use our Have Your Say form
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Weather for Peterborough
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
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