University leaders support much-needed flexible learning revolution

• Far-reaching reform can positively transform learner opportunities

• Flexible forms of study must offer clear career paths for all learners

• Universities set to redesign courses and timetables

University leaders are backing reforms in England that would allow people to upskill and retrain through flexible higher education courses.

Responding to the UK Government’s consultation on its plans for a lifelong loan entitlement (LLE) from 2025 - equivalent to four years of post-18 education in a lifetime - Universities UK (UUK) says the reforms have the potential to unlock opportunities for learners and deliver on the UK’s skills needs.

To maximise the benefits of LLE to society, UUK stresses that the new system must appeal to potential learners of all ages and have wide course eligibility reflecting the country’s diverse future skills needs as well as current gaps. The response also highlights the importance of offering high quality information and advice on career progression for the new ways of studying to appeal to both school leavers and mature learners.

University leaders are committed to redesigning courses, improving wellbeing support for flexible learners, and providing better careers advice so everyone can see how upskilling could progress their careers.

Professor Steve West CBE, President of Universities UK and Vice-Chancellor of UWE Bristol, said:

“We have long campaigned for adults of all ages to be able to access high-quality, flexible learning opportunities that fit around existing work or caring commitments. Universities are willing to pilot, innovate and collaborate with employers, colleges, and government so flexible learning delivers the biggest benefits to society and individuals. For this new system of learning to succeed, it must be easy for learners to understand and use and avoid unnecessary bureaucracy for all involved.”

Professor Malcolm Press CBE, Vice-Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University, is leading Universities UK’s advisory group on lifelong learning:

“Lifelong learning can create the talent pipeline that boosts growth, productivity, and innovation across the UK. Reforms like this are essential to the success of the government’s levelling up ambitions. Universities are ready to work even more closely with industry and colleges to design courses that appeal to both employers and students so flexible learning takes off in this country.”

Dr Marius S. Ostrowski, Senior Public Policy Researcher, ResPublica, and policy lead, Lifelong Education Commission:

"The future of tertiary education in the UK is one of greater integration, with close collaboration between further and higher education providers. Removing the artificial divides between the two is key to smoothing the path for learners as they progress along their lifelong training and education trajectories. Rethinking course design and course eligibility opens the door to even greater diversification in the post-18 education sector. They are the first step to devising innovative new models -- such as the "multiversity" -- that can offer learners at all ages and stages of life new and different pathways to develop their abilities."

Notes to editors

The lifelong loan entitlement could transform flexible learning in England. These are some possible ways people may be able to study in the future and progress their careers. These are indicative examples of what might be possible, depending on the decisions taken by the UK Government following its consultation and the design of the new system:

48-year-old Rachel would like to use her lifelong loan entitlement to fulfil her dream of becoming a nurse. Having worked as a health care assistant and more recently a nursing associate to deliver hands-on care to dementia patients, Rachel knows this is the career for her. Under the new system, Rachel might be able to complete the remaining parts of her nursing degree over several weekends and week-long residential study sessions at university to qualify as a nurse while continuing to work for the NHS. 

Robert, 26 years old, wants to use his lifelong loan entitlement to combine studying with his caring responsibilities before finding employment in cyber security. Robert completed two years of a degree in cyber security but had to leave this to care for his father when he fell seriously ill. Under any new system, Robert could continue to be the primary carer for his dad while using his lifelong loan entitlement to complete the remaining two years of his course over four years part-time at a local university.

38-year-old Dawn plans to use the lifelong loan entitlement to find a green job after working for twenty years in various retail positions. With consumers doing more of their shopping online, Dawn has recently struggled to find employment locally. Dawn is passionate about tackling the climate crisis. Having noticed lots of job vacancies at wind farms, hydro-power projects, and with her local energy supplier, she wants to use her communications and planning skills as a project manager for renewable energy projects. Using her lifelong loan entitlement to do a renewable energy degree will help her forge a new career and provide vital skills needed in the economy. It is estimated that the UK will need 170,000 more workers to qualify each year in jobs like home insulation, renewable energy and electric vehicle manufacturing if we are to meet our net-zero targets, and 1.7 million jobs will need to be created in the net-zero industries by 2030.