Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) has been announced as one of the first higher education institutions approved to deliver a major new government funding initiative designed to revolutionise lifelong learning.
Part of the Department for Education’s new Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE), the landmark reform allows individuals to access student finance for shorter, flexible, bite-sized modules rather than being restricted to traditional three-year full-time degrees. The initiative aims to tackle industry skills shortages and give learners the flexibility to fit higher education around work, childcare and other everyday commitments.
Through the scheme, eligible individuals will have access to loans covering the equivalent of four years of post-18 study (currently up to £39,160), which can be spaced out and utilised for flexible courses or full degrees throughout their working lives. Maintenance support will also be available to eligible students to help cover living costs while studying.
As a creative specialist institution, AUB is among a select group of 130 colleges and universities nationwide approved to spearhead this flexible rollout. The University plans to use the framework to expand its professional learning and short course portfolio, tailoring modules directly to the evolving demands of the creative industries.
Jonathan Carr, Pro Vice-Chancellor at AUB, comments, “We strongly welcome the introduction of the Lifelong Learning Entitlement and the shift towards flexible, modular provision, which aligns closely with AUB’s Strategy 2030+ commitment to widening access and rethinking how, when and where people learn.
“This reform recognises that traditional full‑time study does not suit all learners and opens the door to more inclusive, creative pathways into higher education – particularly for those balancing work, caring responsibilities or seeking to retrain later in life.
“The ability to stack modules over time complements our plans to expand short‑course and professional learning opportunities, ensuring that our distinctive creative education can support learners at multiple points across their careers while responding to evolving skills needs within the creative industries and wider economy.
“The development of AUB Academy will be central to this ambition, providing a platform to deliver high‑quality, bite‑sized and lifelong learning experiences that connect education with industry practice. These reforms accelerate the opportunity for AUB to scale this offer, enabling more people to engage with creative education in ways that fit their lives and ambitions, and reinforcing our role as a forward‑looking, accessible university contributing to skills growth and innovation.”
Applications for these newly funded short courses and modules will open in September 2026, with the first intake of students set to begin their studies in January 2027.
We'll be adding more information on specific modules available under LLE to our website in the coming months.
