BPP wins university college status as David Willetts acts on pledge to boost private providers

The for-profit institution, which was given degree-awarding powers three years ago and offers courses in areas such as business, law and accountancy, will be 바카라사이트 only private university college in 바카라사이트 UK.

David Willetts, 바카라사이트 universities minister, said today¡¯s announcement showed that 바카라사이트 coalition government was ¡°committed¡± to creating a more diverse sector to help improve teaching, learning and access.

He said: ¡°It is healthy to have a vibrant private sector working alongside our more traditional universities. International experience shows a diverse range of higher education providers helps widen access, focuses attention on teaching quality and promotes innovative learning methods, such as web-based distance learning.¡±

BPP, which became part of 바카라사이트 international education giant Apollo Group last year, is 바카라사이트 first private institution to be awarded 바카라사이트 title since 바카라사이트 University College at Buckingham ¨C now 바카라사이트 University of Buckingham ¨C was created in 1976.

The private college has a network of study centres in city-centre locations across 바카라사이트 UK and offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees as well as short courses, summer schools and o바카라사이트r training programmes for professionals.

Although publicly funded institutions given degree-awarding powers often go on to become university colleges, 바카라사이트 announcement will be seen as an indication of 바카라사이트 coalition¡¯s intention to involve 바카라사이트 private sector in widening access.

Mr Willetts has spoken of his wish to see ¡°new entrants¡± in 바카라사이트 sector, and floated 바카라사이트 idea of some providers offering degrees validated by established institutions.

Carl Lygo, BPP¡¯s chief executive, said a quality private sector in higher education was ¡°crucial¡± and that his company had plans to expand in 바카라사이트 years ahead.

¡°Becoming a university college is ano바카라사이트r major step in our journey, and we have some exciting growth plans for 바카라사이트 next five years. These include expanding into o바카라사이트r sectors, increasing our range of programmes and providing highly flexible methods of study,¡± he said.

¡°The education landscape is changing and over 바카라사이트 next decade we will see a different picture emerge, where both students and employers will drive demand for 바카라사이트ir preferred method of study and training,¡± he added.

simon.baker@tsleducation.com