Government launches £2.5m bursary to help students pay for childcare

Learners applying for one of the flexible short courses, due to start from September, who are worried they may struggle with study costs can apply for the targeted bursary funding.

More than 100 flexible short courses trials are being delivered by 22 universities and colleges across England from the next academic term. It forms part of the Government’s pledge to offer adults the chance to retrain and gain ‘in-demand’ skills, opening up further job opportunities.

Learners can use the bursary to pay for study materials, put towards childcare fees and learning support for those who are disabled.

The fund is £2.5m over 3 years to be administered by the Office for Students to providers with guidance.

The bursary is on top of tuition fee loans administered by the Student Loans Company that are also available for learners taking the short courses.

Education minister James Cleverly said, ‘This bursary will break down barriers to learning and give everyone the ability to upskill and retrain at a pace which suits them. It doesn’t matter what their personal situation or background is. 

‘For too long, our education system has focussed on traditional three-year courses which lock students in and give little flexibility. We are now moving towards a more modern way of learning to provide students with the opportunity to reach their potential whilst meeting the needs of the economy’.

The courses are stand alone and on completion learners will be awarded with an official certificate which can be used to build towards future training and employment.

 Bursary funds can be used for:

• study support costs such as books, course material, trips not included in course fees
• travel costs for getting to and from the course
• equipment not included in the course fee
• childcare
• learning and learner support for disabled students
• emergency costs for students, in exceptional circumstances
• temporary residential costs where the student is required to attend a clinical setting

More information on the higher education short course trial is available here

The 22 universities and colleges offering the Level 4-6 courses from September are: Coventry University, De Montfort University, Keele University, Liverpool John Moores, Manchester Metropolitan University, Newcastle University, Norwich University of the Arts, Sheffield Hallam, South Bank University Enterprises, Staffordshire University, Teeside University, University Centre Weston/Weston College, University of Chester, University of Essex, University of Leicester, University of Manchester, University of Plymouth, University of Roehampton, University of Salford, University of the West of England (UWE), University of Wolverhampton, University of Worcester