News

The University Centre Barnsley is celebrating after seeing a large increase in student applications. The increase in student numbers has risen 70% since the University of Huddersfield opened the University Centre Barnsley in August 2005.

With such great courses and facilities on offer at the University Centre it is no wonder more students are signing up to study here. Head of Centre, Dr. Cathy Doggett explains, “Some subject areas have seen a huge increase in student applications. Music Production and Sound Recording is proving very popular as is Interdisciplinary Art and Design and Digital Film and Visual Effects Production. In fact most of our courses are increasing in their popularity, so generally we are pleased across the board.”

The University Centre Barnsley has encouraged many people to return to education after a break to perhaps work or raise a family, Cathy said: “I think the University Centre Barnsley has given people the opportunity to have a top quality higher education experience, it may be that they missed out on it in their younger years for whatever reason. It is now here on their doorstep if they wanted to take up the challenge.”

One student who took up the challenge is Terry Hibberd, a second year Journalism and Media Production student, Terry said: “I had worked for 14 years after leaving school and was no longer happy. I wanted to do something I had an interest in, which is the media. The opportunity to be qualified in something I enjoyed was too good to turn down and hopefully I will get a decent job out of my qualification.”

Although returning to education after a long break was daunting Terry settled back into studying quickly, “It wasn’t easy, it was really strange at first, it felt like I was going back to school. Although in a matter of weeks and I felt comfortable with it all. The people I have met and the support I have had from the tutors has been great. Everyone works as a team and I have made some great friends. Now I feel like I should have done it five years earlier.”

Cathy also pointed out that the University Centre aims to have 2000 students by the year 2012, she said: “At the moment we have around 800 students and we are continuing to raise our profile, so we are actually moving towards our target a lot faster than expected.”