Professor David Warner 27th March (guest speaker)

In our last lecture with our guest speakers we had a man called Professor David Warner who is the vice-chancellor in Swansea metropolitan university. He talked to us about the framework and background in education in the UK. We looked at different pictures of universities and had to place five in order from the oldest to the newest built, I learnt that Aberdeen was the oldest as it was founded in 1495.

We talked about some of the purposes of higher education and how it helps people to develop their capabilities and fulfil their potentials. It also brings social justice and gives everyone the opportunity to meet new friends and move away from home it brings a sense of independence. It brings a knowledge and understanding through scholarships and research.

The trends in the UK higher education are;
- There is a major increase in female students in universities, this is because of the change in societies perceptions of women not being the typical "house wife" women are as equal to men in society these days so you get a mixture of both men and women in higher education.
- There is also a decrease in part time students which show that more students are going from school to college then university as full time students to get the qualifications they need.
- There are ten times more post graduate functions today than ever before.
- There are more international students

Another reason why more students are able to go to university is the funding they receive for example, student loans and grants. If you are living with your parents and studying in Wales you will receive a loan of £3,673 for each term in university. Also if you are living with your parents have the household income in less than £18,370 you will receive a grant from the government of £5,000 which does not need to be paid back. (www.studentfiancewales.co.uk). In different circumstances for example if you don’t live at home or you studying in England the loans would be different.
The government loans students enough money to cover the cost of going to and living in university when they are out of university and earning money over a certain amount you have to pay back the loan in small parts.
By loaning money to students to go to university it is giving everyone an equal chance and wider opportunity, they can achieve the qualificatons they need for their furture careers