Degree course is transforming opportunities and life chances - Aileen McKechnie

A flourishing partnership which allows college accountancy students in South Lanarkshire access to degree level education is celebrating its 10th ‘transformational’ year.

South Lanarkshire College student Laura Lanni

As part of its widening access strategy, South Lanarkshire College will once again deliver the University of the West of Scotland BAcc (Bachelor of Accounting) degree programme, which has been hugely successful since it began in 2011.

In the last 10 years more than 90 per cent of students who completed the course at SLC gained the BAcc qualification with many progressing to their Honours year at UWS.

The pathway gives students the opportunity to start their study at NC level and progress all the way to year three undergraduate degree level, all while remaining on the South Lanarkshire College campus.

College students – including Laura Lanni, David Cowie and Vaclav Buben – have been ‘stand-out’ performers on the course, gaining First Class honours degrees and winning the UWS Court Medal, awarded to the most outstanding student in the year, on several occasions. Mr Cowie and Mr Buben are now lecturers at the College.

Aileen McKechnie, Principal of South Lanarkshire College said: “We are delighted to be renewing our partnership with the University of the West of Scotland to deliver the BAcc Accounting degree programme.

“This degree partnership programme is transformational for students at South Lanarkshire College, as it provides direct articulation to year three of the BAcc Accounting degree and the option for students to carry out their honours year at UWS.

“Our partnership with UWS ensures that degree level qualifications are more accessible to South Lanarkshire College students and provides alternative pathways to support student success.”

One hundred and sixty six students have gained their BAcc award via the SLC/UWS partnership over the last 10 years.

Ms McKechnie added: “As a result of gaining this degree, the life chances and job opportunities for some of these students will be transformed.

“Here at South Lanarkshire College, we are fully committed to supporting all our students to succeed, in their studies and in their careers.”

The University of the West of Scotland, delivers career-focused teaching and world leading research and is widely renowned for its flexible, innovative approach to providing higher education for all.

Tutor David Leung from The University of the West of Scotland said: “Our mission is to make higher education accessible to everyone and a great way to achieve that is by supporting college students to progress onto degree programmes.

“We are delighted that this partnership will continue to enable the local community to have access to the high-quality degree provision delivered via South Lanarkshire College, with a resulting significant positive impact on the local economy.”

The next BAcc course start date will be August 2021.

Aileen McKechnie, Principal and Chief Executive of South Lanarkshire College