University secures places funding

The university has about 6,000 students at its main Childwall campus

An extra 118 places for arts students will be available at Liverpool Hope in 2010 after the university secured £3m in government funding.

The university, which has about 6,000 students at its main Childwall site, will spend the cash on offering courses at the Cornerstone campus in Everton.

It will provide more foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in subjects such as theatre and music.

The money is from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).

Hope is one of nine higher education centres across England to secure the cash.

'Next level'

Professor Bill Chambers, provost of the Cornerstone campus, said: "This is marvellous news for the university and for the people of the local area.

"We are thrilled that HEFCE has recognised the importance of our work at the Centre for Music, Performance and Innovation.

"An awful lot of work has gone into the campus over the last 10 years. This money will enable us to get to the next level.

"It will also help with our ability to retain graduates on Merseyside, letting them work with local companies, increasing their employment opportunities."

The HEFCE funding is part of a programme to increase participation by people with little or no experience of higher education.

It is targeted at institutions which can support such students' progression from further education.

The money will also be used to develop links between the university and local businesses.