College link-up aims to ease path to university

Students who have completed courses at the college will be guaranteed interviews or auditions for any course at the university if they meet the published entry requirements.

The agreement comes almost a year after Barnsley College agreed to take over the running of a Huddersfield University campus based in the South Yorkshire town.

The University Centre Barnsley was opened by Huddersfield in 2005 as part of a plan to provide higher education in areas where there was a low take up.

However the university announced in November last year that it was to withdraw from the running of the centre with Barnsley College taking over.

Commenting on the new partnership, Barnsley College principal Colin Booth said: “We are delighted to establish this partnership which enhances the progression routes for students wishing to study higher education courses after they have completed their course at college.”

Professor Tim Thornton, pro vice chancellor at Huddersfield University, said: “We’re very proud of the relationship we have with Barnsley College, and of the achievements of the many students who have already progressed on to courses with the University of Huddersfield in the past. The partnership will strengthen these links and offer further opportunities for Barnsley College students to explore higher education in future.”

The partnership will also see curriculum staff from both the College and the University participate in a work shadowing programme and work together on mutually beneficial projects.