University of Leicester pioneers new national pathway to get ex-military into Higher Education
Amanda Cox, the creator of the Higher Education Pathway for Armed Forces (HEPFA)
University of Leicester is at the forefront of a new scheme that aims to make easier for veterans to enter Higher Education.
The Higher Education Pathway for Armed Forces (HEPAF) has been proposed by staff at Leicester to be implemented across the Higher Education sector.
The aim of HEPAF is to aid the transition of ex-Armed Forces to civilian life by allowing them to easily retrain in other fields, primarily allied healthcare.
A report published in January 2023 suggests that universities are failing to effectively market to those leaving the Armed Forces, making it more difficult for them to access Higher Education qualifications.
A lack of understanding from university admissions teams about military qualifications means that Armed Forces leavers may be overlooked for admission to university courses despite possessing the adequate skills to complete them.
According to the second report published March 2023, 74 higher education institutions provide courses for Allied Health Professionals, approximately 44% of English Universities.
Of this number, 94% mention working with Armed Forces or being signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant, which is a commitment to fair treatment and support of those who have served in the Armed Forces and their families.
However, only the University of Leicester is the only higher education institution to mention the Armed Forces Covenant in relation to course admissions, for healthcare degrees, rather than employment opportunities.
Amanda Cox, a lecturer and admissions tutor at University of Leicester, author of the reports and creator of the HEPAF, is pushing for more focus to be put on recruiting ex-Armed Forces personnel onto degree programmes throughout the country.
She said: “Many family members have served in the Armed Forces, so creating this pathway was important to me. Military courses often aren’t recognised within undergraduate provision, which needed addressing. Happily, Armed Forces Personnel now have an equitable pathway onto Healthcare courses.”
For more information and to read the NHSE reports please follow this link.