From September 2026, people across West Lancashire will be able to study more flexibly at Edge Hill University, as student finance is extended to shorter, bite-sized courses for the first time.
Labour has confirmed the first 130 universities and colleges – including Edge Hill University – approved to offer the new courses through the system.
Traditionally, higher and further education has been built around full-time degrees and qualifications taken straight after school or college. But that doesn’t work for the many people in West Lancashire who need to fit study around life commitments or want to return to learning later down the line to upskill.
The funding of these new smaller courses means people can gain qualifications over time, rather than needing to complete a rigid three-year full-time degree in one go, which previously locked thousands of people out of learning.
The modules on offer will focus on subjects that will tackle skills shortages, including economics and computing, engineering and architecture, as well as health and social care.
These plans are central to the government’s ambition to ensure two‑thirds of young people are in a gold‑standard apprenticeship, higher training or university by the age of 25.
The new flexible courses at Edge Hill will make a real difference to people in West Lancashire.
Whether it’s retraining, progressing at work, or starting a new career, they’ll help busy working people gain skills whilst balancing jobs and childcare.
It’s fantastic to see Edge Hill leading the way, giving local people more choice over how and when they learn.