Abstract
An exploratory study was conducted to encapsulate the views of staff involved in the development and delivery of College Based Higher Education (CBHE) in a Further Education College in South Wales. Key themes included the benefits of vocationally based courses raising the skill set of local communities; accessibility of settings appealing to learners with employment and caring responsibilities; and smaller class sizes providing enhanced tutor support, particularly for learners lacking in confidence with academic abilities. The study also highlighted the challenges of delivery, with FE college lecturers often feeling they do not have the skills or time to undertake their own research and engage in scholarly activity. Despite this, it is vital not to lose sight of the potential benefits to learners this provision offers. With the current challenges facing education, exacerbated by the impact of the increased cost of living, now is an opportune time to review the role of CBHE in increasing accessibility to Higher Education.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 639-658 |
| Number of pages | 20 |
| Journal | Research in Post Compulsory Education |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Early online date | 11 Sept 2025 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2 Oct 2025 |
Keywords
- College based higher education
- post-compulsory education
- higher education
- widening participation
- non-traditional learner