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Sixth formers to study at degree level in unique scheme

Press Release - 31 January 2007

Sixth formers in Bradford are being given the chance to study subjects at degree level thanks to a pioneering new project being offered at the University of Bradford in partnership with Aimhigher Bradford.

Progression to Level 4 Studies, the first scheme of its kind in the UK, will enable over 30 Year 12 (aged 16 and 17) students from schools and further education colleges across Bradford to study one of two modules at degree level, or Level 4 as it is known in the National Qualifications Framework.

This scheme will be launched at an event starting at 4pm on Wednesday 31 January 2007 in the University’s Norcroft Conference Centre. This event will act as an induction for the 31 pupils who will be the first cohort of the project.

The two modules being made available are entitled Succeed in Science, and Communicating in an Information Age. The modules, worth 20 credits of a degree programme, are both coursework-based and have been designed to compliment the work that students will already be undertaking for their AS and A2 subjects.

In order to be eligible to undertake these modules, which run from January until September this year, pupils must have been predicted to achieve at least 300 UCAS points in their AS/A2 subjects.

Progression to Level 4 Studies is being co-ordinated by Mohan Mistry, Vocational Progression Co-ordinator from the University of Bradford’s Access and Widening Participation Team. He said: “We have worked closely with teachers to construct these modules that will be very complimentary to the ongoing study of sixth formers.

“Completion of one of these modules will offer tremendous benefits. The main one being that when pupils apply for courses in higher education, they will be able to prove they have the ability to do degree-level study – something that will set them apart from any other pupils in the country.

“If these pupils opt to study at the University of Bradford, we will also be offering them an additional award of £300 which they will receive on successful completion of their first year as an undergraduate.”

As well as the first cohort of pupils, the launch event for Progression to Level 4 Studies will see University of Bradford staff, school teachers, parents and education professionals from Bradford Council in attendance.

Progression to Level 4 Studies is a collaborative project between the University of Bradford and Aimhigher Bradford with support from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and the Royal Society of Chemists.

Participating schools and further education colleges in this initial wave are as follows:

• Greenhead College
• Holy Family Associated Sixth Form
• Immanuel CE Community College
• Oakbank School
• Rhodesway School
• Thornton Grammar School
• TYM 6th Form College
• Shipley College

4 February 2007