Community and social engagement

Published 6 March 2009

University Centre Hastings (UCH) has received a significant boost by being awarded with 85 additional places from university funding body, HEFCE (Higher Education Funding Council for England). This is nearly 10 per cent of the total national allocation of 900 places for all universities in England. It reflects the success of the university (pictured below), which opened in 2003, has had on its students and the wider regeneration of the town.

The new places were announced by Michael Foster MP, who said of the news, "University Centre Hastings is now nationally acclaimed as a place where things are happening. With these additional places, new courses can begin and other courses can expand their numbers. It is great as a town that we have this comprehensive offer. It now gives a wider opportunity for local people to study at university in Hastings".

Michael Foster also viewed the new facilities at UCH, which include a new radio and television studio, and spoke to local Broadcast Media foundation degree students, Sean Taylor and Jenny Clark, about their courses, achievements and ambitions.

Margaret Wallis, UCH Director said "This announcement is another milestone for UCH, and shows the strong national commitment and support for university education in Hastings. It is recognition of the success we have achieved so far. This boost means we can widen opportunities, so that more students can realise their potential, through a range of relevant courses".

University Centre Hastings offers 18 University of Brighton degrees and foundation degrees in Broadcast Media, Business, Computing, Education, Social Science and Sport.

This commitment will support new courses including a Business Administration degree, which will help students make the best opportunities either as employees or entrepreneurs; and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, which means teacher training is on offer for the first time in Hastings. The innovative Radio Production and Television Production foundation degrees will also draw in local and national students, boosting the creative media sector for Hastings.