University students to be offered some free modules

University students will be able to take modules in some courses for free, as part of a national pilot to help people gain new skills.

Twenty-five higher education institutions are taking part in the two-year government pilot, which provides grants for tuition fees for selected modules.

The Coventry University Group will offer modules in a construction management course on its Coventry campus and a cyber security course on its Scarborough and London campuses.

A number of institutions in the West Midlands – including Staffordshire University and University College Birmingham – are taking part in the pilot.

The grants cover modules in Higher Technical Qualifications, a type of vocational course for careers in areas such as construction, early years education, and administration.

Students will not pay tuition fees for these modules, but they will be entitled to a lower level of student loans in the future.

Through the scheme, Staffordshire University is offering modules in sports coaching, while University College Birmingham is offering modules in digital marketing and cyber security.

Telford College, Warwickshire College, and the Herefordshire, Ludlow and North Shropshire College group are also taking part in the pilot, according to the government’s website for the scheme.

Any learning done via the scheme must be completed by the end of August 2025.

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