The links between two local education providers have been strengthened recently with the official recognition of Macclesfield College as an Associate College of Manchester Metropolitan University.
The College and University have worked together for many years to deliver high quality degree level education and Macclesfield College now offer 15 different MMU validated Foundation Degrees in subjects such as Business Management, Early Years, Graphics and Engineering.
Foundation Degrees are nationally recognised university level courses that blend academic and work-based learning, making them immediately relevant to your chosen career. The qualifications are recognised in their own right, but successful students can choose to continue studying part-time (for 2 years) or full-time (for 1 year) at university to gain a full Honours Degree.
Students on Higher Education courses at Macclesfield College have access to all of the services and facilities at MMU’s Cheshire campus in Crewe. They are also eligible for the full range of support the government makes available to higher education students such as grants and loans. Employed students may find their employers are willing to support them financially throughout their course.
Lucy Watson, who completed a Foundation Degree in Business and Management at Macclesfield College in July 2008 said: ‘For me the best thing (about the course) was the support offered by the tutors and the opportunities it gave me. During the course I had a promotion to the role I wanted to progress into, which gave me a 31% pay rise.’
Students at Macclesfield College benefit from small classes and individual attention throughout their two years of study. Many courses can be studied part-time in the evenings so students can work and study at the same time and by staying local the complications and expenses sometimes associated with moving towns to study are avoided.
Joy Grant, Link Tutor for Business at MMU, commented: ‘The Foundation Degrees at Macclesfield College offer an excellent alternative route into Higher Education and make degrees more accessible for people of all ages.’ She added: ‘We are always impressed with the skills and knowledge of Macclesfield College students when they come to continue their studies at MMU, such as Jan Maiden, who graduated with a First in her BA Honours Degree in Business Management.’
For more information and a full list of subject areas see www.macclesfield.ac.uk and download a copy of our Higher Education prospectus. Alternatively call the College on 01625 410002.
