New Partnership brings Open University validated degree courses to SERC campuses

An exciting new partnership between The Open University (OU) and SERC has been announced today growing the OU’s validation of degrees through local Further Education Colleges in Northern Ireland.  The partnership is one of four with local FE colleges and the partnership with SERC adds four new foundation degrees and two degrees to the SERC HE offering.

Starting this September, students can follow an OU validated Foundation Degree course in Cloud Computing Technologies, in Cyber Security and Digital Forensics at SERC’s Bangor, Downpatrick and Lisburn campuses, or in Culinary Arts at the college’s Bangor campus.  OU validated Degree courses are also available in Cloud Computing Technologies and in Cyber Security and Digital Forensics providing a progression route for those currently studying a level 5 qualification in a related area.  These are full-time courses with an option to also study part-time.

John D’Arcy, Director, The Open University, said, “The Open University is delighted to partner with SERC and provide validation for these awards.  Further Educational Colleges are at the heart of their communities.  The validation process enables FE colleges to put on a wider range of technical courses, supporting more people in local communities to secure high skill, high wage jobs, growing the economy to help tackle the cost of living crisis.​ SERC is a dynamic college and we are excited to work with them in the future and explore new areas of working to enhance this provision even further,”

Ken Webb, Principal and Chief Executive, SERC, said, “We are delighted SERC has recently been approved by The Open University as an appropriate organisation, to offer higher education programmes leading to Open University validated awards. The new courses we will deliver will be an important and exciting new element of the HE provision at the College.”

The development presents a new opportunity for applicants to study close to home, led by industry-experienced tutors in small classes, using state of the art, industry-standard equipment.

The courses start this September and applications are open now. You can find out more about the courses and apply for a place at serc.ac.uk or find out more here.