Interest rises sharply in degree courses at Warwickshire college group

Applications for degree courses at WCG (formerly known as Warwickshire College Group) college group have seen a significant boost since the launch of its new university centre.

College group WCG launched Warwickshire College and University Centre (WCUC) in December and saw a 15 per cent rise in overall applications for degree-level courses to the end of January.

The first UCAS deadline of the year has now passed and applications have risen from 480 in 2021 to 551 in 2022 for the college group.

It is the first recruitment cycle for WCUC and also comes after the college became the first college group in the UK to be granted Bachelor degree awarding powers by the Office for Students, alongside the Foundation degree awarding powers already in place.

On UCAS applications alone, the college group has seen a rise of 21.85 per cent in applications – with all universities nationally only experiencing an average growth of 2.1 per cent.

Compared to 2020 figures the applications across the college group for degree-level courses are up 42 per cent.

Courses including Veterinary Nursing and Equine Therapy and Rehabilitation at Moreton Morrell College have seen substantial growth.

While Computer Networks and Cybersecurity applicants at Royal Leamington Spa College and Rugby College have risen from two to 18.

Since the launch of WCUC, students are able to study and complete a Foundation degree or Honours degree awarded directly by WCUC. It is registered with the Office for Students and meets the requirements for course quality, academic standards, student support and student protection.

Steve Taylor, Dean of Higher Education at WCUC, said: “We are already seeing the positive impact of the new university centre and Bachelor degree awarding powers at the close of this first recruitment cycle.

“Prospective students have been impressed with the technical focus of our degrees and how they are designed to give graduates the skills to immediately make a contribution to the economy after graduation.

“Our applicant figures are outperforming competitor institutions and the Higher Education sector as a whole, which is evidence of the growing reputation of our degree-level provision.

“The first UCAS deadline has now passed, but there will still be opportunities for further students to join us later in the year through the clearing process.”

WCUC delivers Higher Education courses from Royal Leamington Spa College, Evesham College, Rugby College, Moreton Morrell College, Pershore College, Warwick Trident College and Malvern Hills Centre for Digital & Cyber Technology.