ID178 Keele Centre for Continual Learning

The Idea

Establish Keele University as a place for lifelong learning by opening up high-quality, flexible educational opportunities for adults who may not have access to university previously or to those who want to continue to learn but not sit exams. This initiative could focus particularly on accessible entry-level courses in languages, creative writing, and other humanities focused subjects such as specific history modules. This type of centre is already successful at Strathclyde University where over 2500 adult learners enrol each year. The events or courses are typically privately funded by the individual for example one creative writing 2-hour lunch session costs the learner £17 and taught by academic staff. Additionally, funding is offered through the Scottish Funding Council Upskilling Grants which subsidies course fees for eligible students.  

Why This Idea Should Be Considered

Many adults seek opportunities to upgrade skills, pursue personal interests, or re-enter education later in life but are held back by cost, confidence, accessibility, or restrictive course structures. By offering flexible, community‑centred, and age-inclusive learning pathways, Keele can: 

• Broaden participation and enhance social mobility 
• Strengthen community and regional engagement 
• Create new income streams through short courses 
• Build a learner pipeline into formal degree programmes 

How We Would Implement This Idea

• Create a Keele Centre for Continual Learning 
• Build a curriculum offer tailored to adult learners by working with academic colleagues to identify opportunities e.g. Languages, Creative writing, literature, local history etc. 
• Offer enrichment or progression routes 
• Design flexible learning models - in person, evening, online 
• Partner with local councils, libraries, employers, cultural partners (New Vic Theatre, Appetite etc) 
• Partner with digital partners (adult reskilling) 
• Build sustainable business model 
• Work with SCB to develop Marketing strategy 

May be worth running a pilot of 4 - 5 courses across languages, history and creative writing to judge success and expand in subsequent years to include Access pathways, more programmes and microcredentials.

What Success Would Look Like

• Enrolment and retention in short courses, particularly among adults who have no previous HE experience 
• Positive learner outcomes 
• Sustained community partnerships 
• Additional financial income 
• Enhanced reputation 

KPIs would be established in the early design but some examples could include 'target 4.5/5 average learner satisfaction score' or 'Income generated from short courses (Cost Recovery by year 2, surplus by year 3)'