STORY
The Government has confirmed the first 130 universities and colleges approved to offer shorter, flexible courses under a new student finance system. Applications are due to open in September 2026, with ministers saying the reform is designed to help adults who are balancing education with work, childcare and other responsibilities.
The change forms part of the Lifelong Learning Entitlement and will allow people to access student finance for smaller modules as well as traditional full degrees. Ministers argue that the approach will make higher and further education more accessible to people who cannot commit to a full-time qualification at the outset.
The policy is linked to the Government’s wider skills agenda and its efforts to improve workforce flexibility. Its effectiveness will depend on demand from learners, the range and quality of courses offered, and whether employers recognise modular study as a credible route for career progression.