January students may have to do extra work in summer

University of Wales, Lampeter is the first Welsh institution to offer admission to some degrees in January, as well as in the traditional month of September.

This means that students starting their degree course this month can "fast-track" their studies to graduate at the same time as students who began in the autumn.

"January" students can still graduate at the same time as others if they take extra modules during summer holidays.

If Lampeter had not offered entry to this course in January I would have had to wait until September before starting my degree Student Mary James

University spokeswoman Jane Norris-Hill said the January start date attracted a number of students from overseas, where British college term dates are irrelevant.

"Lampeter is the first Welsh higher education institute to offer a January start for such a wide range of courses," she said.

Medieval

"An academic year that stretches from autumn to summer is a national institution that dates back to medieval times determined by the agricultural seasons.

"But this link with harvest time is of less relevance today, and there is now debate as to whether schools should change from three terms to six shorter terms without the long summer holiday."

One new entrant to the business management course, Mary James from Cardigan, said it was a good idea.

"I started a degree at another institution but things did not work out there so I was really pleased to be offered a second chance," she added.

"If Lampeter had not offered entry to this course in January I would have had to wait until September before starting my degree."

Lampeter vice-chancellor Professor Robert Pearce said: "This pilot study has shown that there is demand for more flexible start dates and we shall certainly consider continuing to offer this alternative in future years."