When Holy Cross expanded into Higher Education, its vision was to become a centre of excellence providing locally – based education for undergraduates. The rewards have seen a fantastic growth in quality higher education provision at a local level.

In partnership with Liverpool Hope, Edge Hill, and Leeds Metropolitan universities, along with the University of Surrey, student numbers at Holy Cross College University Centre have swelled from around 50 to over 700, becoming a phenomenal local success story.

We now offer BA/BSc and Foundation Degrees, plus PGCE (postgraduate primary teacher training), EYPS (Early Years’ Professional Status) and MA level study. Our range of courses and our partnerships with the universities continue to develop in a forward-looking, dynamic way, so this is an exciting time to join us.

Why don’t YOU become a part of our growing community of university students within a friendly local environment offering excellent teaching, support, IT and library facilities?

For the majority of our Honours degrees, it usually takes 3-6 years depending on whether you have chosen to study full-time or part-time or a combination of both. For example you may decide to study the first level of the degree part-time, which should take you 2 years to complete, at this stage you may choose to change to full-time which would enable you to complete the course in a further two years. The length of a Foundation degree varies between 2 years and 3 years, with a once -a -week attendance requirement. An initial advice interview with a support tutor will inform you of the particular details for specific degrees.

For full-time study there are a range of loans, grants, bursaries available depending on family income and personal circumstances. The details of these can be explored at www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance and Student Finance England. You can also receive guidance by making an appointment with a Support Tutor at the University Centre. For part-time study you may be able to get course fees paid depending on household income & personal circumstances. Details can be found at www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance. You can also receive guidance on this by making an appointment with a Support Tutor at the University Centre. Include link to Holy Cross University Centre Finance page.

Most of our degree programmes begin in late September / Early October. Please contact the University Centre to check if there are any courses that start in January or April.

You will be made extremely welcome at Holy Cross. We encourage diversity, accepting and valuing all beliefs. We offer excellent facilities and a friendly, supportive environment for staff and students of all faiths and from all walks of life. The college provides the opportunity for each person to develop spiritually, morally and intellectually and welcomes students and staff of all faiths.

Holy Cross offers excellent IT facilities and support which are available both in quality and quantity and these are available for use by students in the daytime and Mon-Thurs evenings. We also have a well-stocked, modern library and via the internet we offer access to the library facilities at all our partner universities. Students are also offered excellent pastoral support. In the vicinity of the college there are shops, cafes, cash machines and there are has well stocked vending machines on site.

Different courses have different entry criteria and some will also consider previous work related experience. To evaluate this in relation to a particular course, we recommend that you book an appointment with a Support Tutor from the University Centre. The tutor will also be able to advise on preparation courses e.g. Fast Forward, GCSE equivalency and progression routes.

At Holy Cross, we pride ourselves on the pro-active support we offer to our students. You will be assigned a support tutor who will provide you with support, help, guidance and encouragement throughout your studies. Your academic subject tutors will also provide an appropriate level of support. Sharing the learning experience with other students will also help develop your skills and confidence.

Each of our partner universities has a career’s service that you can contact for advice.

Edge Hill University - www.edgehill.ac.uk
Leeds Carnegie University – www.leedsmet.ac.uk
Liverpool Hope University – www.hope.ac.uk
University of Surrey – www.surrey.ac.uk

This tends to vary from individual to individual depending on your own learning style and skills. However, on average for part- time study as well as attending the taught sessions you would be expected to complete12-15 hours of independent study per week. For a full- time course the expectation would be 25-30 hours independent study per week.

This is not unusual for people returning to study and there is a variety of support available. Holy Cross University Centre’s Support Tutors who are all experienced teachers, working with adult students provide study skills workshops. There is also the opportunity to discuss individual issues with your own designated Support Tutor. Each University has its own learning support teams that can provide off campus support. The University Centre, in partnership with Edge Hill University, also hosts a specific 30 week study skills course called Fast Forward, which is designed for students who may not have recent, relevant qualifications but may wish to study for an Edge Hill Degree. The next start date for Fast Forward will be January 2010. There are also designated web sites that may provide useful resources. For example – www.learnhigher.ac.uk and openlearn.open.ac.uk.

Academic tutors from each of the Universities travel to Holy Cross to deliver your programme.

Our partner Universities are:-

Edge Hill University - www.edgehill.ac.uk
Leeds Carnegie University – www.leedsmet.ac.uk
Liverpool Hope University – www.hope.ac.uk
University of Surrey – www.surrey.ac.uk

Studying at a local centre like Holy Cross gives people of all ages and back grounds, who may have work and family commitments, opportunities to continue learning and to develop personally and/or change their careers.

Contact Holy Cross University Centre on 0161 762 4513 to discuss your options with a Support Tutor or email university@holycross.ac.uk. Alternatively, please fill in our Enquiry Form by clicking here.