Birkbeck reaffirms commitment to Lifelong Learning
Birkbeck reaffirms commitment to lifelong learning ahead of 200th anniversary.
Birkbeck, University of London, has reaffirmed its sector-leading commitment to lifelong learning with the launch of a new Lifelong Learning Guarantee, ahead of its 200th anniversary in 2023. It is a guarantee that will give practical support to future, and current Birkbeck students and Birkbeck alumni in their lifelong learning journeys.
The move supports the Government’s focus on lifelong learning through a proposed Lifelong Loan Entitlement.
We will create a Birkbeck lifelong learning account for each of our students and within this, provide significant discounts and incentives to support lifelong learners committing to Birkbeck.
Students will accumulate ‘learning points’ in their account as they complete programmes of study at Birkbeck. These will translate into discounts against future study, which in turn will attract further learning points.
Many institutions provide one-off discounts. The ambition and scope of the Birkbeck Lifelong Learning Guarantee is something new and something different. It is not a one-off offer. It establishes a clear ongoing framework to support learning and foster a lifelong learning relationship with our students. It provides a genuinely flexible framework which empowers student choice to set out on their own learning path. Learning points could support moving on from an undergraduate degree to a Masters course or equally, accessing professional development or short courses for enjoyment and interest.
The Birkbeck Lifelong Learning Guarantee will significantly and distinctively add value to our offer to prospective students, and our existing students as they gain their qualifications.
But as we approach our 200th anniversary, our ambition is bolder. From October, we will be making the offer of lifelong long learning accounts to all those who have gained a qualification with us, as part of our anniversary plans to put Birkbeck at the heart of the largest, most vibrant lifelong learning community in London. We will provide further details in the autumn. Supporting our students and alumni, supporting lifelong learning.
Birkbeck welcomes the strong government support now for a future where lifelong learning is a front and centre priority for higher education, not an afterthought. Birkbeck was founded in 1823 for working Londoners; lifelong learning is at the heart of what we do and how we do it. It is woven into our institutional DNA.
As a lifelong learning institution, we see the ongoing benefits of education and learning in the broadest possible way, contributing to careers, to well-being and enjoyment, to understanding and engaging with the world.
We are committed to delivering the choice and flexibility that supports our students on their lifelong learning journey, not just at a specific age or for a single qualification.
We empower students to study when, where, and how it suits them. We guide, support, and signpost opportunities for our students to extend, progress and broaden their learning.
In relation to lifelong learning, we aim to stand out in the higher education sector for our commitment, advocacy, and delivery.
Our new lifelong learning guarantee builds on this foundation and backs words with deeds and resource. It underpins our vision of a learning community where we build a long-term learning relationship with those who study with us, one that goes beyond the sector model of one-off interactions that start and end with a single course.
Professor David Latchman, Vice-Chancellor said:
“The Birkbeck Lifelong Learning Guarantee will give real, practical support to future, and current Birkbeck students and Birkbeck alumni in their lifelong learning journeys.
“It adds further, significant value to the proposition of studying at Birkbeck and coming back to study with us, as part of a long-term learning relationship.
“I’m very pleased and proud to be announcing the Birkbeck Lifelong Learning Guarantee as we approach our 200th anniversary. There are few organisations whose core purpose has remained relevant and consistent over 200 years. Lifelong learning is in our DNA.
“The Birkbeck Lifelong Learning Guarantee is an important part of our anniversary plans to put Birkbeck at the heart of the largest, most vibrant lifelong learning community in London.”