The Lifelong Learning Bill becomes law, paving the way for a radical transformation of the student finance system
New measures have been enshrined in law that will transform the student finance system, allowing colleges and universities to charge different fees for different courses for the first time and opening up opportunities for adults to study in a way that works for them.
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) (formerly the Lifelong Loan Entitlement) will give all adults from 2025 access to loans, worth up to £37,000 in today’s fees, that they can use flexibly over their working lives to upskill or retrain.
The LLE will mean people will be able to take out a student loan to pay for full-time courses such as university degrees or Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs), as well as for some individual modules of courses.
People who have already taken out a loan for a degree will also be able to use the rest of their entitlement to study subjects that will help them gain additional skills that employers are looking for, making it easier for people to build up their skills over time. This includes studying individual modules of degree courses or HTQs to help them to do this in a way that fits round their lives and commitments.
To prepare for the introduction of the LLE, a new £5 million scheme has launched to encourage universities and colleges to develop and offer individual modules of HTQs in a flexible way. Under the scheme students will be offered the opportunity to study in-demand modules of HTQs, such as digital, health and science and construction, ahead of the launch of the LLE from 2025.
Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education Robert Halfon said:
The new measures in The Lifelong Learning Act will allow universities and colleges to use a new method of calculating the maximum level of tuition fees they can charge for different courses. This will make the pricing of modules and short courses proportionate, so people can access education and training at a fair price.
Chair of the Post-18 Education and Funding Review Philip Augar said:
Policy Advisor at Coventry University Dr Elizabeth Norton said:
Vice Chancellor of Nottingham Trent University Edward Peck said:
Executive Director of Finance at Salford University Julie Charge said:
David Hughes, chief executive of Association of Colleges, said:
Vice Chancellor of Bath Spa University Professor Sue Rigby said:
Higher Technical Qualifications – that sit between A levels and T levels, and degrees – give adults the skills employers need and are available in a range of in-demand subjects including Digital, Construction, and Health & Science with more coming on board over the next few years. From this September, HTQs have been put on par with degrees with students able to access maintenance loans, especially for those studying part-time, helping learners fit study around work and other commitments as we move towards the flexibility envisioned by the LLE.
Following engagement with the higher education sector, the government has decided to change the name of the Lifelong Loan Entitlement to the Lifelong Learning Entitlement, so it better reflects its core purpose of offering learning opportunities throughout people’s working lives, making education and training more accessible to people from all backgrounds.