The UK government’s commitment to the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) signals a significant shift in how higher education will be delivered in the years ahead.
As a result, universities will need to rethink everything from the way their curriculum is designed, to how they engage with learners, and which regional partnerships they need to deliver lifelong learning. Pete Moss, Business Development Director at Ellucian, examines the implications of the changing higher education landscape.
What is the Lifelong Learning Entitlement?
The LLE provides learners with a lifelong pot of funding they can use to continually upskill or retrain throughout their careers.
LLE announcements have been made by successive governments, but its inclusion in the recent Post‑16 Education and Skills White Paper signals that it is here to stay.
The move brings the future demand for modular, flexible, lifelong learning skills to the fore. Universities have therefore started to consider how to best meet the needs of learners and employers in a way that works for their institution, their region and local communities.
Why does the LLE matter for UK universities?
The traditional three-year degree course, and the relatively predictable student journey that universities have long been familiar with, is being flipped on its head by the government’s commitment to the LLE.
Modular learning, micro-credentials, and skills-focused short courses are set to become a key part of higher education core business. That means curriculum design has to shift too, aligning more closely with what learners and employers actually need. It also raises questions about how institutions can make the most of the LLE funding that follows learners through their careers.
Universities are facing a real balancing act. They still need to hold onto the qualities that define them, like their brand, their reputation, and the high-quality courses they have developed over decades. But at the same time, they need to pivot quickly when the market changes.
The changes needed are likely to create a more competitive landscape. Institutions that move first and embrace this flexible, lifelong learning model will be best placed to attract learners and strengthen employer partnerships. Those that wait risk being left behind.
As funding models evolve and revenue from international students and traditional undergraduate degrees becomes less predictable, the LLE offers exciting new opportunities for growth and the chance to shape the future of higher education as a more agile, learner-focused sector.
How is the skills landscape changing and what does it mean for universities?
The skills landscape is changing quickly. Employers and regional labour markets are increasingly looking to upskill workers with highly targeted learning opportunities and universities need to adapt to meet these local demands.
In areas where there are multiple institutions in close proximity, collaboration is inevitable. Institutions will now need to work more closely together to agree on who delivers what provision and how to make these partnerships work effectively.
Perspectives are also changing about what learning pathways should look like. Rather than structuring courses mainly around academic subjects and the modules students must take to earn their qualifications, the LLE requires universities to start with the learner’s goals and build the journey from there. Universities then map out the skills each learner needs and design courses or individual units to develop them. Learners will take a more active role in choosing the skills that help them succeed in their careers, rather than following a pre-defined pathway.
What opportunities or challenges does the LLE present for universities?
Universities have a real chance to extend their reach, strengthen relationships with employers, and experiment with new ways of delivering courses or using technology to improve learner outcomes.
It may seem a tough ask. Institutions are used to long lead times developing courses and operating independently so there will be a period of adjustment. But the LLE model is as a huge growth opportunity for the sector.
How can universities position themselves as the ideal learning partner?
Universities that combine clear leadership with early, active engagement in regional partnerships are likely to gain an edge.
Some are already working closely with neighbouring higher education institutions, FE colleges and local employers, putting themselves ahead of the curve and able to shape the provision that learners and employers really need.
Internally, having clear processes and good access to up-to-date information on local labour markets and job opportunities allows staff to design short courses that genuinely match the skills employers are looking for. It also means the university can move quickly when priorities change, without losing direction.
Universities need to ensure short-term students feel supported, however fleeting their involvement with the institution might be. Getting this right is key to their success and will create a satisfied pipeline of lifelong learners who will likely keep coming back.
What digital infrastructure and systems are needed to support modular, flexible, lifelong learning?
With the right digital infrastructure, institutions can deliver flexible, on demand learning opportunities to build skills students need, when they need them, throughout their careers.
Digital systems need to handle a variety of student journeys as some learners might take a single short module or dip in and out when they have time while they’re working. Learners should be able to enrol, track their progress, and see how each course connects to their broader skills and career goals. Staff also need tools they can use to adjust or update course content quickly to keep it relevant and aligned with employers’ needs.
Everything has to feel seamless so if a learner selects a course on AI in business accounting in preparation for a leadership role or promotion, they can enrol, track their progress, access support when they need it and link easily through to other skills-based learning relevant to their field.
Read more on how Ellucian Journey can help universities deliver lifelong learning.
