Katharine Wootton The deal has been signed on the dotted line and the agreement locked in print for a forward-thinking partnership between two of York’s higher education powerhouses, York College and York St John’s University, it has been announced today.
In an age of fears for tomorrow’s graduates with rising fees, waning university departments and growingly dismal employment prospects for graduates, these two higher education providers believe that this partnership can help to optimise the opportunities for students within York.
The partnership puts into a concrete agreement a relationship between the two colleges that has existed for many years. It will mean that students can study at York College whilst receiving degrees from York St John University, as well as allowing York College students to progress on to do different degrees at the University following their studies at the College. It is hoped that this will allow the maximum number of graduates to achieve their educational and professional ambitions, whether this be studying a basic access course or completing a postgraduate degree.
Dr Alison Birkinshaw, Principal of York College comments: “This is an exciting opportunity for York College to work with York St John University to build high quality higher education provision to suit local and regional needs, built upon the strong levels of expertise in both our organisations. We are very much looking forward to working with York St John University, alongside our other HE partners, to the benefit of our students and their communities.”
Professor David Fleming, Vice Chancellor of York St John University, said: “We are very passionate about making higher education an option for everyone. This new partnership with York College is based on a shared vision to offer a clear progression route through to higher education and to help fill some of the skills gaps employers are looking for in York and the region. We’ve already seen how successful we can be at working together to produce exceptional graduates and are looking forward to developing this further.”
