Professor David Latchman comments on 2016 Budget
Professor David Latchman, Master of Birkbeck, comments on proposals in the 2016 Budget to review part-time and flexible learning and to introduce loans for PhD students.
Commenting on the announcement in the 2016 Budget that the Government will review flexible and part-time study, as well as confirmation it will introduce loans for PhD students, Professor David Latchman, Master of Birkbeck, University of London, said:
“We welcome the Government’s proposed review of gaps in lifelong-learning – including flexible and part-time learning – which is so essential to enabling people to work and study at the same time, enabling them to progress in their career or change direction into a new one. We look forward to hearing more detail about the proposals as soon as possible.
“The Government’s confirmation that it will introduce PhD loans from 2018-19 is very welcome – this will be the first time there is comprehensive, national support for anyone wanting to studying at doctoral level.
“We anticipate this new support will increase the flow of students from Master’s degrees to PhD study in years to come, enabling people to acquire the skills they need to succeed and improve the skills of workers, which in turn will contribute to boosting the economy.
“We await further details of exactly how the scheme will be implemented and the amount awarded to students to make a fuller judgement on implementation.”
Professor Latchman added:
“We’re glad the Government is recognising different forms of part-time postgraduate study by extending postgraduate loans to anyone studying a Master’s degree which spans three years. We hope this will further encourage people to upgrade their skills.”
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