College to run university campus

UNIVERSITY Campus Oldham

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OLDHAM College is to take over the running of the flagship University Campus Oldham (UCO).

It will take charge of the campus which is currently part of Huddersfield University in August.

The move means the college will provide education for around 13,500 people aged from 11 in the borough.

Degree courses will continue to be validated by the university and there are no plans to change UCO’s name in the immediate future.

The college says it doesn’t envisage any job losses, but doesn’t guarantee it. Staff transfer details are still to be agreed.

Principal Alun Francis said: “For the learners, there is no difference in the quality of their experience or the standard of their qualification. For the town, the partnership brings a real guarantee at a time of huge change.”

Councillor Hugh McDonald, Oldham Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, said the change was in answer to threats of Government cuts to funding for universities. A number of colleges have already established university centres in response to Government policy to make higher education available to more people.

Councillor McDonald added: “This is very positive news which safeguards the future of higher education in our borough and will also enable it to expand.

“It is vital that university-accredited courses continue to be delivered in Oldham and Oldham College — which is rated outstanding by Ofsted — is perfectly placed to take on these responsibilities given its fantastic track record.”

UCO was opened in the former Oldham Business Management School by Star Trek actor Sir Patrick Stewart, Chancellor of Huddersfield University, in 2005. It provides a range of part and full-time undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and professional qualifications.

It is one of two satellite campuses, the other in Barnsley, set up by the university to make higher education available to a wider range of people, particularly mature students and those from ethnic minorities.

It was also hoped that it would transform the town culturally and socially and boost regeneration.

Student numbers at UCO have increased from 500 to 952 and it opened a £5.5 million extension in 2008.

Oldham College has around 11,000 students and runs the 1,500 pupil Waterhead Academy, which replaced Counthill and Breeze Hill schools in September 2010.

Principal Alun Francis said: “This is a unique partnership with a unique long-term agreement in place for the college to deliver university level course, accredited and supported by the University of Huddersfield.