UNIVERSITY FACES CUT IN FUNDING

7.00.00pm GMT Sat 19th Jan 2008

The University of Gloucestershire is facing a funding cut of more than £750,000.It follows a government decision to scrap funding for students who take a second degree.

Those affected include mothers who want to retrain and return to work after a period at home looking after their children.

Others include people who are looking to change careers or people who want to expand on their first degree.

The university will lose £757,660 according to figures published by the Higher Education Funding Council, which distributes university funding.

A commons motion demanding that the Government thinks again has now been signed by 211 MPs, including Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood.

The Government says the cash will be diverted to help people who haven't taken a degree, so that the total national funding for universities remains the same.

University director Paul Drake said: "If the government proposals are implemented the university will have to consider how to reduce costs to accommodate reductions in funding."

From the Gloucestershire Echo www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk

19 January 2008