05.08.08
First year of innovative scheme a success

Cornwall, Truro and Penwith Colleges, partners in the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) initiative, are celebrating the successful first year results of an innovative new scheme that provides flexible university-level learning opportunities for people across Cornwall.

The Personal and Professional Development (PPD) scheme, approved by the University of Plymouth, was launched in September 2007 and allows students to build their own university course by combining a number of compulsory modules with individual modules chosen from a list of over 800 offered by the three colleges at higher education level.

At the end of its first year, seven of the eight students taking part in the scheme have achieved their University of Plymouth Certificates and now have the option to progress to a Certificate of Higher Education, with the eighth opting to take the final module at a later date to fit in with other commitments.

Martin Roberts, Programme Manager at Cornwall College, explains how the flexibility of the scheme has been beneficial: "Because several CUC partner colleges are working together, students can attend campuses from Saltash to Penzance and they can target specific interests by choosing the most relevant modules. If someone wants to combine Forensic Science with Creative Writing, they can. Students can leave after the one year certificate, continue studying at their own pace or even take a break and return at a later date. The full Diploma available at the end of the course should take about four years on a part time basis, but students only need to commit to one year in the first instance. The scheme recognises that people's lives and needs differ and that learning has to be flexible to accommodate this successfully."

Anna Louise Houghton joined the PPD scheme when her line manager at Cornwall County Council sent her to take modules in Computer Aided Design (CAD) to assist her at work. In addition to the CAD learning, Anna took the Personal and Professional Development module which helped her to examine what she wanted to achieve in her career and how to get there, as she explained: "This course really opened my eyes to the wider picture. I am now intending to progress to a full foundation degree – something I had never considered possible before, but it could really help my career options."

Debbie Sims, a working mother who chairs the Residents' Association on the Treneere estate in Penzance and is Trainee Neighbourhood Involvement Officer for the Treneere Together Partnership has also achieved her certificate on the PPD course and explains: "I left school with GCSEs but decided not to go ahead with A Levels so haven't had much experience of studying. Until I started this course, I was just comfortably ambling along and not pushing myself. Now I've taken modules in 'Working with Youth in the Community' and 'Democracy, Power and Local Governance' which have helped me so much in my work. I plan to continue within the PPD scheme next year and take further modules that are relevant to my job."

Another student, Claire Venner, who achieved the highest marks of the year, also found the scheme uncovered new opportunities for her. Claire had tried to secure a place on the popular Zoological Conservation foundation degree at Cornwall College in Newquay but her qualifications did not meet the entry criteria. Not to be put off, Claire studied two of the modules from that course whilst on the PPD scheme, proved her ability with flying colours, and has now been accepted onto the foundation degree. Claire comments: "I am thrilled that the PPD scheme has enabled me to take the first step towards a degree in zoology and my ultimate dream of working with gorillas in Africa."

Andy Lancaster, Programme Manager at Truro & Penwith College, is delighted with the outcomes for the students, explaining: "Four students are continuing within the PPD scheme, two are transferring to Foundation Degrees, one is taking a distance learning HND in Interior Design and another is taking an NVQ in Tourism. It really highlights that taking that initial step back into education can open so many doors for people. I am really pleased that the scheme is delivering opportunities and will continue to do so for many more people as it expands."

External examiner for the course Alasdair Kean, from University of Derby, met the students and was very complimentary about the scheme, commenting: "This is an innovative and enterprising course which deserves to succeed. The way in which it links academic flexibility with personal and professional development is very encouraging."

Students moving into the next year of the scheme will take a core module in Research Methods and two self selected modules to achieve a Certificate of Higher Education. Continuing to the end of the course, six more modules will secure them a Diploma of Higher Education, equivalent of two thirds of a full honours degree. Details of the course can be found at www.buildyourownuniversitycourse.co.uk or by enquiring at any of the partner colleges.

The PPD scheme is suitable for mature students, people in full or part time work who want to update their skills and knowledge or begin to take a new direction in their working lives, as well as young people progressing from further education.

Combined Universities in Cornwall is a dynamic and visionary partnership that is one of the driving forces behind Cornwall's economic renaissance. The principal partners are the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, University College Falmouth, Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, Cornwall College, Truro College and Penwith College. It aims not only to provide the students of the future with more choice and greater opportunities, but also to boost the economic fortunes of the region for the benefit of one and all.

The CUC initiative has been invested in by the Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the South West Regional Development Agency, Cornwall County Council and the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

For further information please contact Emma Stallard, Combined Universities in Cornwall PR and Communications Officer, on 01209 721076 / 07717 377581 or email emma.stallard@cuc.ac.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) project, both Phase 1 and Phase 2, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF).

Editor's notes:

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
The Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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