Foundation degrees will offer key skills

Funding chiefs this week released details of the 40 foundation degree courses that will be available to 2,000 students from September 2001.

The two-year courses will include subjects such as e-business, tourism and professional photography, and will be offered in conjunction with employers such as British Telecommunications, the National Trust and the Association of Photographers.

The courses will be offered by 21 consortia, which include 35 higher education institutions and 70 further education colleges.

Sir Brian Fender, chief executive of the Higher Education Funding Council, said: "These degrees offer a great opportunity for people to develop key skills that are relevant and in demand for a 21st-century workforce."