West Lothian College offers new route to degree

West Lothian College are offering students a new route to university through an articulation agreement recently signed with Edinburgh Napier University.

The agreement will help students studying HND Computing-Technical Support at the College join the 3rd year of a BSc (Hons) in Network Computing from August this year, following the successful completion of the course. Students studying the HND in Computing-Technical Support this year have been able to apply through UCAS.

ELRAH (Edinburgh, Lothians, Fife and Borders Regional Articulation Hub) liaised with both partners (university and college) to agree on the articulation agreement. The agreement was signed by Mhairi Laughlin, Principal and Chief Executive of West Lothian College and Bob Rankin, Depute Dean of Faculty at Edinburgh Napier University.

West Lothian College has good relationships with numerous universities including, Edinburgh Napier, Heriot Watt, Stirling, Queen Margaret University and the Open University.

ELRAH are working with the College to secure more formal agreements with the universities.

Mairi Taggart, ELRAH Articulation Support Advisor at West Lothian College commented: "ELRAH provides support for students who are applying for places at university through our articulation routes. West Lothian College have a successful ongoing relationship with Edinburgh Napier University and we are building on existing articulation agreements that are already in place for other courses. We hope to increase the articulation agreements between West Lothian College and Edinburgh Napier University in the future."

Colin Miller, Head of Skills Centre at West Lothian College commented: "We are delighted with this articulation agreement in computing which follows on from a recent agreement for engineering courses. These agreements endorse the work carried out by ELRAH and the Institutions in providing advancement opportunities for our learners, to Higher Education.

"These guaranteed places at University for successful students not only enhance their motivation, but develops confidence in their work, and in their future opportunities."

The HND Computing-Technical Support course is designed for those who wish to follow a career in computing or information technology. Students will study subjects such as computer hardware, installation and maintenance, building local area networks and project management.

David Wallace (45) from Livingston, who is a student on the HND Computing - Technical Support course said: "This has come at a great time for me as I have applied for the BSc (Hons) Network Computing course at Edinburgh Napier University. With university places becoming so competitive, the articulation agreement between West Lothian College and Edinburgh Napier University has increased my chances of securing a place."

For further information on the HND Computing Technical-Support course, or any other courses available for study at West Lothian College, please call 01506 427605 or visit http://www.west-lothian.ac.uk/.