Expanding Hastings Higher Education
CALLUM THOMSOM
Hastings is no stranger to film and TV crews, with their numerous vans often spilling out along the seafront. The Great Escaper (2022), Close to Me (2021), Dear Mr Burton (2020) and Giri/Haji (2019) are just some of the recent productions to be shot in the town. But how many Hastings people have actually worked on those shoots? Well, as part of a sizeable expansion, Hastings College is now offering a degree course in Photography and Moving Image.
East Sussex College has announced an expanded programme for undergraduate study for their Hastings campus. It will include BA (Hons) in Business Management,
Designer Maker, Fine Art. Graphic Design and Illustration, Early Years Care and Education as well as a BSc honours degree in Integrated Health, Social Care and Wellbeing.
East Sussex College has campuses at Eastbourne, Lewes and Newhaven, as well as Hastings. In fact, the Hastings part of the college is split between the main Plaza Building by the railway station and Ore Valley, which houses construction engineering and IT along with computing and music. There is also a separate Automotive Training Centre for budding car mechanics. The college is well known as a Further Education (FE) establishment mainly for pupils between 16 and 19, but it also has a sixth form and now offers the latest ‘T Levels’ – an alternative to A levels, apprenticeships and other 16 to 19 courses. Equivalent in size to three A levels, a T Level focuses on vocational skills and can help students into skilled employment, higher study or apprenticeships.
But East Sussex College is clearly keen to offer longer term degree courses – generally over three years and for slightly older students. This programme has been developed in collaboration with the University of East Anglia (UEA), ranked in the top 25 of UK universities, who have subjected each programme to a ‘rigorous validation procedure’ to ensure they meet their high standards. Reflecting on this collaboration, the UAE have been complimentary, noting “the enthusiasm, knowledge, and experience of the course team [at East Sussex College] and the extensive support offered to students”.
The college says that with this degree programme being validated by such an established, well-reputed higher education provider as the UAE, it should inspire confidence in the quality of teaching and curriculum, as well as the utility of these degrees for future employment.
An important aim for the college is to produce graduates who contribute positively to the local economy and provide a talent pool for local businesses. They say: “We are delivering qualifications and skills that our local business community want, building stronger employability options for our students and raising the aspirations of the local area.”
The new programme of higher education by East Sussex College Group is an optimistic move and dovetails neatly with the vision of the Hastings Town Deal, the investment plan for the £24.3 million offered by the government as part of their ‘Towns Fund’. The Town Deal Investment Plan expresses faith in a thriving creative sector, and hopes to show local young people they can ‘#makeitinHastings’.
The courses are less expensive compared to other universities; most cost £7,995 a year rather than the usual £9,000. However students can still access student finance packages.
So, roll on the next generation of graduates and, hopefully, more local people qualified to work with those apparently ubiquitous film crews.
Applications for September 2024 courses are now open. Students, parents and employers can contact the Higher Education team at East Sussex College Group through the website www.escg.ac.uk or by emailing [email protected].
We hope you have enjoyed reading this article. The future of our volunteer led, non-profit publication would be far more secure with the aid of a small donation. You can also support local journalism by becoming a friend of HIP. It only takes a minute and we would be very grateful.
Leave a Reply