The Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) Conference 2025

Thursday 13th February 2025
9:30 am - 4:00pm
Virtual Conference

The Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) Conference 2025 will explore how providers can build readiness and develop organisational capabilities for the design, delivery and implementation of provision under the new LLE funding model.

The Conference will explore:

  • The key policy and implementation questions ahead of LLE delivery in 2027

  • What the regulatory approach to LLE will look like

  • How providers can build organisational capabilities and plan for the LLE rollout

  • Approaches to designing modular course provision

  • The next steps in developing effective credit transfer practices across the sector

Why attend the conference?

Gain the latest policy and regulatory updates ahead of LLE rollout

Assess the strategic questions for your institution in building LLE readiness

Learn from providers at the forefront of thinking on modularity and credit transfer

Agenda

09:30 am

Chair’s Welcome Address

Professor René Koglbauer
Dean of Lifelong Learning and Professional Practice
Newcastle University (CONFIRMED)

09:40 am

The LLE in the Wider Skills Landscape

This presentation from the DfE will give a short update on LLE progress as well as setting out the positioning of the LLE programme within the wider skills landscape and government missions.

Laura Barclay
Head of LLE Stakeholder Engagement
Department for Education (CONFIRMED)

Jack Charnley
Senior Skills Strategy Officer
Department for Education (CONFIRMED)

10:00 am

Skills for the Future: How Universities Can Support Opportunity and Growth through the LLE

The session will look at how the LLE can support:

  • Collaborative opportunities between providers

  • Contributions to the skills the country needs

  • Access for different student groups

  • Universities to think differently about business models   

Sandra Binns
Policy Advisor
Universities UK (CONFIRMED)

10:30 am

Break and Networking

11:00 am

The OfS Regulatory Approach to the LLE Model: What Comes Next?

  • Developing a regulatory approach which supports quality and student outcomes, whilst maintaining the reputation of the HE sector

  • The development of a third category of registration for smaller providers offering level 4 and 5 qualifications through the LLE

  • What the extension of advanced learner loans means for providers not registered with the OfS

  • Outcomes from the OfS consultation into its regulation of LLE modular course

  • Supporting the registration of new providers and those not previously regulated by the OfS

Ruth Henrywood
Head of Pathways and Funding Policy
Office for Students (CONFIRMED)

11:40 am

Where Are We on Credit Transfer and How Do We Develop an Effective Approach for LLE?

  • The state of play with current credit transfer practices

  • Where the barriers to smoother implementation exist

  • What policymakers and providers can do to facilitate student mobility

  • Striking the balance between credit transfer initiative and institutional autonomy

Helena Vine
Lead Policy Officer (England)
QAA (CONFIRMED)

12:20 pm

Break and Networking

1:10 pm

Making Lifelong Learning Central to University Strategy

  • What learners want from universities in terms of lifelong learning

  • What employers want from universities in terms of lifelong learning

  • How universities are responding

  • How Government needs to respond

Professor Jonathan Michie
President of Kellogg College and Professor of Innovation & Knowledge Exchange, University of Oxford
Chair, Universities Association for Lifelong Learning (CONFIRMED)

1:40 pm

Unlocking Modularity: Rethinking Course Design and Delivery for the LLE Age

  • Where does demand exist for modular formats?

  • What does course content, design and delivery look like?

  • How can we think about modules as distinct and bespoke products?

  • How can modules be developed to enable portability and mobility?

  • How do we manage quality and ensure consistency across the sector?

Professor Annabel Kiernan
Pro Vice Chancellor Academic
Staffordshire University (CONFIRMED)

2:10 pm

Break and Networking

2:30 pm

The Countdown to Implementation: Preparing for LLE in 2027

  • What are the operational and delivery decisions ahead for preparing for LLE implementation?

  • The mechanics: What systems and structures need to change for LLE to work?

  • The essential questions on quality and ensuring regulatory compliance in this new landscape

  • Managing strategic planning on the shape and positioning of an institution’s offering under an LLE model

Rajay Naik
CEO
Skilled Education (CONFIRMED)

Joanne Purves
Pro Vice-Chancellor Academic Development
The University of Salford (CONFIRMED)

Jill Cowley
Pro Vice-Chancellor Skills and Training and Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Design and Humanities
De Montfort University (CONFIRMED)

Dr Kate Wicklow
Policy Director
Guild HE (CONFIRMED)

Kevin Pickess
Academic Registrar
University of Worcester (CONFIRMED)

Mike Ratcliffe
Academic Registrar
City St George’s, University of London (CONFIRMED)

3:30 pm

The LLE: Challenges and Opportunities

  • Flexible future – the (potential) student experience in the LLE era

  • Credit transfer, stackability and unique degrees – how to get from here to there

  • Aligning the LLE and the Growth and Skills Levy – a joined-up approach to lifelong learning

Rose Stephenson
Director of Policy and Advocacy
HEPI (CONFIRMED)

4:00 pm

Conference Close

*Programme subject to change

Audience

This Conference is designed for all providers engaged in LLE preparation and implementation. Those in attendance will include:

  • Commercial Directors

  • Deans of Teaching and Learning

  • Directors of Curriculum

  • Directors of Education

  • Directors of Finance

  • Directors of Programme

  • Directors of Student Development Services

  • Directors of Student Experience

  • Head of Executive Education

  • Heads of Academic Quality

  • Heads of Online and Lifelong Learning

  • Heads of Professional Learning and Development

  • Heads of Quality Assurance

  • Heads of School or Faculty

  • Heads of Short Courses

  • Heads of Student Finance

  • Heads of Work Based Learning

  • Policy Analysts

  • Principal Lecturers

  • Vice Presidents, Education

Secure Your Ticket

HE and Public Sector

£195 + VAT

Private Sector

£395 + VAT

HE Team of 3

£526.50 + VAT

For group discounts and enquiries about your registration please contact us on enquiries@heprofessional.co.uk