University College Isle of Man drops three degree courses
Three undergraduate degrees at the Isle of Man's only university will no longer be provided from September, the education minister has confirmed. Daphne Caine MHK said University College Isle of Man (UCM), which offers about 40 courses, would no longer be providing the courses in History and Heritage, Creative Practice or Health and Social Care.She said the decision followed a review of application numbers, progression and achievement rates in previous years, and was due to "viability" and student experience.The BBC has contacted UCM for comment.
MHK Julie Edge said the decision, which was made at Easter, had been communicated to students after the UCAS application period closed for the year.
'Fairest way'
Questioning what the cost saving was, Lawrie Hooper said it was "difficult to see a retrenchment of higher education on the island".He argued students would go elsewhere and it could cost the department more as they were now going to be eligible for grants and maintenance awards that they may not have been if studying at UCM. Caine told the House of Keys the island's higher education provider offered a variety of other courses and the admissions team could support students through the process. She said her department was undertaking a "holistic review" of student awards to meet the demand in the "fairest way possible".She also told members a review of the support for students going to university was ongoing.Caine said more students were now "opting to earn as they learn" while undertaking courses or distance-learning, and there was an increase in those choosing to study at UCM.The review was looking at current earning thresholds, the amount of fees covered, and grants available, as well as "how we can divide the cake to best support all students on various household incomes", she said.A report on the issues was set to go before Tynwald by the autumn, with revised student awards to come into effect by September 2026, she added.
Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
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