With the news this week from the National Audit Office that the amount of unpaid student loans will rise to £200bn over the next 30 years, Shrewsbury College is offering students a way to study locally for less or even free.

Shrewsbury College is increasing its higher education offering with a host of full and part-time courses available to suit all ages and all budgets.

The watchdog has reported that the Government is not doing enough to get student loans repaid as the total value of money owed continues to rise. The outstanding loan debt is £46bn and will rise to £200bn in the next 30 years, the National Audit Office said.

It also highlighted that about 50% of students are not expected to earn enough to repay all their loan.

But instead of going further afield to university and amounting huge debts through student loans, Shrewsbury College is urging students to think about the benefits of studying locally, which offer them a huge range of cost-saving benefits while still receiving a high level education.

January sees a range of higher education courses starting at the College including the new business qualifications from the Association of Business Executives (ABE). Level 4 (foundation degree) courses will start on January 21 with the chance to progress right up to Level 7 (master’s degree level).

Steve Wain, Principal at Shrewsbury College, said: “The mounting costs of getting qualifications while studying away from home are becoming a real issue for students and the Government. In addition, students who come out of university, without any or much real life experience, are often struggling to find work.

“Shrewsbury College offers a very real and exciting prospect for these students, where they can gain high level qualifications, often mixed with practical work experience to give them a head start in a competitive market.

“We are the only college in the county to have been approved by the Association of Business Executives to deliver Level 4 courses and the only college in the country to deliver all 7 levels.

“These qualifications are free for 16-18 year olds and may be free for those aged 19-23, and 24+ loans are available. The part and full-time courses, which focus on a suite of business management courses, will suit students who are cautious about going onto university but would like university level qualifications that will help them develop their career.”

James Sale, of Whitchurch, is starting the ABE Human Resources Management Diploma in January. He has progressed through the College from ICT Level 1 right up to foundation degree in business.

He said: “I really enjoy studying here, it’s a great environment and it’s improved and there is so much variety here now. I chose the ABE course because it will give me more opportunities and more real-life work experience in the field I want to go into.

“I would also like to progress to masters level and I can do that here. I want to study locally, it saves me a lot of money and I don’t have to go away to study so I won’t. I’m really excited to start the course.”

Mr Wain added: “Our part time prospectus will be out before Christmas showing potential students about all of the HE courses we have on offer. There has never been a better time to study locally.”

For more information on the ABE courses or any higher education opportunities at Shrewsbury College, please call Course Advice on 01743 342333 or visit our website www.shrewsbury.ac.uk