- What is a UTC?
-
A college for students aged 14 to 19 which specialises in
technical studies and is sponsored by a university. It offers full
time courses which combine practical and academic studies.
Employers are involved from the start in shaping the
curriculum.
- What are the advantages of a student going to a UTC instead of staying on at their previous school?
-
It allows a student to study a subject they are really
interested in which is taught in industry standard
facilities by teachers with real life practical experience. By
16 their technical skills are far in advance of those students in a
standard comprehensive school and more enthusiastic engagement with
their academic studies leads to greater achievement in this area
also.
- What is the reason for starting at 14?
-
11 is too early to choose a subject path to follow and 16 is too
late. Students who know what they want to do can often become
bored at school and so underachieve by the time they are
sixteen.
- Is 14 too young to specialise?
-
UTC students receive a broad education including English, maths
and science combined with practical and technical qualifications
which are recognised by employers and universities. They also
develop business and financial literacy. The skills they learn and
the qualifications they receive are transferable to other post-16
provision and are recognised by employers.
- Who are UTCs aimed at?
-
They are aimed at students who have an interest in the UTC's
specialism.
- Where does the University fit in?
-
The University leads or serves on the governing body of the
UTC. It can also help in the following ways:
- Contributing to the development of the curriculum to ensure
that it reflects the most up to date methods and prepares students
for higher education.
- Allowing university staff to assist in the teaching of areas in
which they have particular expertise e.g. teaching mathematics for
engineers.
- Providing CPD opportunities for the staff of the UTC.
Supporting and mentoring students, in particular those who might be
considering or have the ability to consider entry to higher
education.
- Allowing the UTC to use university specialist facilities to
inform and inspire the students.
- Providing undergraduate and foundation degree modules to UTC
students who have the ability to benefit from them.
- Does going to a UTC improve prospects of getting into the affiliated University or college?
-
It would help a student to move into higher education because of
the support they have received from the university but the UTC is
not part of the university and there is no guarantee of a place at
a particular university. The University may well see the UTC
as part of its recruitment plan.
- Does a UTC have a specialist subject area?
-
Yes. Usually they have two specialisms e.g. engineering
and advanced manufacturing.
- How will a UTC improve job prospects?
-
Employers play a major part in University Technical Colleges.
They help plan what students are going to learn and ensure that the
qualifications students gain are what employers require. They also
meet the students on work placements and so can get to know
them.
- What are the options for continuing in education after a UTC?
-
Students can either go onto to a high level apprenticeship in
employment or onto a university. The college will help them decide
which is the best route for them
- What qualifications will they offer?
-
This will vary but all offer GCSEs in English, maths and science
combined with a modern foreign language, a humanities subject and
practical and technical qualifications which are recognised by
employers and universities.
- Do they offer GCSEs and A Levels as well as technical qualifications?
-
Yes but you will have to ask each college which ones they
offer.
- What experience will teachers have in the UTCs specialist areas?
-
The teaching staff will be made up of school teachers,
instructors and people have worked in industry. (Most the
teachers will have worked in the area of the college's
specialism).
- Can existing schools or colleges 'convert' to a UTC?
-
No. University Technical
Colleges are free standing institutions for 14 to 19 year olds
offering just two specialisms. UTCs are academies but schools
or colleges cannot become a UTC by simply converting to academy
status. All applications for UTCs must be submitted to and approved
by the Department for Education.
- How is the curriculum organised?
-
The core national curriculum requirements will be provided, but
outside of the national curriculum, the subjects available at GCSE
will depend on the UTC.
At 14-16 The split of time between general education/bridging
core studies and technical studies is 60:40 respectively. For
general education they will take English; Mathematics; science; a
modern language; humanities; sport/PE; and PSHE; RE; enrichment
activities, Financial literacy; understanding and setting up a
business; IT; and careers education and guidance.
Broad technical studies would be e.g. engineering; experience of
work, projects; and mentoring.
Post-16, students will be able to continue with their studies or
they may choose to do an apprenticeship, which might include
part-time study at the UTC. If students choose to continue
full-time study at the UTC the split of time between general
education/bridging core studies and technical studies will become
40:60 respectively. The technical study will become more
specialised and job-related.
- How does a UTC day differ from school hours?
-
A UTC will typically be open from 8.30am - 5.30pm, perhaps with
an earlier finish on Monday or Friday.
- How do students fit all the learning in? Isn't it too much?
-
The typical school day of a UTC runs from 8.30am to 5.00pm to
prepare students for the working week and to allow for extra
teaching and practical time. There is no homework; all work
is done within school hours. Extra curricula enrichment activities
all happen within the school day.
- What role will FE colleges play?
-
FE colleges can be involved as a co-sponsor bringing their
expertise in technical education but an important feature of
UTCs is that that they must be led by a University.
This gives them the credibility that technical schools did not
have. The UTC is an independent company limited by guarantee.
The majority of directors must be composed of a combination of
university and employer representatives. The FE College may provide
a number of directors but it may not have themajority. The name of
the university is also featured in the title of the college. The
university does not have to provide financial support but supports
the UTC with its expertise and time and actively contributes to the
curriculum. Strong employer links are also a key feature of
UTCs and are involved in shaping the curriculum. Support from
the local authority is also welcomed.
- What is the funding model?
-
University Technical Colleges come under the academies
programme, from where they obtain funding after receiving DfE
approval.
- How many UTCs will there be?
-
The Government has committed to funding 24. However, we
hope to see 100 within five years.
- Where is my nearest UTC?
-
There is not a definitive rollout list at present as
many are still in early stages of development. The JCB
academy in Staffordshire is already open and the Black Country UTC
in Walsall will open in September 2011. There is an
ever-growing network of UTCs projects being planned across the
country which includes Aston, Greenwich and Hackney. The
applications for the first round of UTCs closed on 1st June 2011
and we hope that the names of the projects that are to be moved
into the feasibility stage will be announced by the Minister in
later this year.
- How do I apply to become a UTC? When is the next round?
-
The applications for the first round of UTCs closed on 1st June
2011 and we hope that the names of the projects that are to be
moved into the feasibility stage will be announced by the DfE later
this year. The Government is committed to 24 UTCs in this
Parliament. We do not think that there will be 24 announced
this time so there will be a second round of applications. We hope
that the timetable for Round Two will also be announced later this
year.
The process for Round One was a non-competitive SOI (which got
every project to the start line on 15 April) and those projects
were all asked to submit an application, which was judged
competitively*. The application form used last time will
certainly be the basis of the form for Round Two, perhaps with
minor modifications. A link to the document is given here.
- My application was unsuccessful. Can I resubmit it in round 2?
-
Round 3 is likely to be a new competitive round. You may
wish to strengthen your application and apply again.
BDT offers support to sponsor groups which want to
form UTCs. During Rounds one and two this included individual
Application Clinics to which all UTC projects were invited. The 90%
take up for Application Clinics and the high quality of final
applications received means we shall provide this same support
again for Round Three.
Outside of the competitive period, the Baker Dearing Educational
Trust is happy to consider visits to or from sponsor groups of new
applicants around the country, providing there is clear
representation at the meeting from the sponsoring university and
employers, as well as FE College, local authority, local schools
and other strategic partners as appropriate.
If you would like further guidance on the process please email
director@utcolleges.org