First College in the North West Granted Foundation Degree Awarding Powers – B&FC

Blackpool and The Fylde College has been granted Foundation Degree Awarding Powers following detailed scrutiny by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. This prestigious development means that from 1 September 2016 the College can award its own foundation degrees.

Building on the College’s significant history supporting business and industry and serving the community and region, these new powers reflect B&FC’s role as one of the largest providers of College based higher education in the country. Only six general further education colleges in the UK currently have these powers, reinforcing B&FC’s standing as a high quality provider of higher professional and technical education.

These awarding powers give B&FC greater flexibility over the programmes which we co-create with employer partners to develop the workforce which they need to drive their business forward. For students this means a fantastic learning experience with embedded work related skills which help to facilitate great careers and drive economic growth.

The College will continue it’s almost 25 year-long partnership with Lancaster University, a top ten UK university, both to provide progression on to honours and to continue their very successful collaborations around key developments such as Project Management, Aerospace and Nuclear Degree Apprenticeships.

Bev Robinson, Principal and Chief Executive of Blackpool and The Fylde College, said: “The Privy Council’s approval of the College’s application for Foundation Degree Awarding Powers is prestigious for both Blackpool and The Fylde College and the wider Lancashire community. FDAP status is not bestowed lightly; it requires an exceptionally strong track record in higher education. This achievement represents the culmination of years of investment in staff, resources and relationships with employers.  Higher education at Blackpool and The Fylde College focuses on the higher technical and professional education and training that businesses need to develop their skilled workforce. 

The awarding of Foundation Degree Awarding Powers to B&FC follows the College’s award of the elite Queen’s Anniversary Prize earlier this year for its graduate training programme co-created with industry partners. The College was also highly commended by the Quality Assurance Agency.

To recognise this significant achievement and its 125 year anniversary, the College has also refreshed its crest, with the red rose of Lancashire now central to its design.

ENDS

Press Information

For more information, please contact:

Helen Sanderson Walker

PR Consultant Blackpool & The Fylde College

HSW Media

Tel: 07887 375207