A new scheme in North Wales, which could be a model for other parts of Britain, gives mature students from rural areas that opportunity, reports The Times.

Bangor University has established the Community University of North Wales, offering introductory courses at further education (FE) colleges throughout the region.

Professor Roy Evans, Bangor's vice-chancellor, says: ``There are many people in the region who, for various reasons -- geographic, linguistic, domestic or financial -- have never had the opportunity to improve their skills and qualifications. The community university will enable them to do so in their own locality.''

Other universitiesoffer franchised courses, but this initiative is different because it involves an agreement between all the region's FE colleges and its two higher education institutions, Bangor University and the North East Wales Institute (Newi). Already, 70 courses taught in eight FE colleges have been designated as community university pathway courses. They include, for example, a Higher National Diploma course at Llysfasi Agricultural College in Ruthin. Students can transfer to an agriculture degree course at Bangor. Similarly, part-time students studying for the college's forestry certificate can benefit by switching on completion to Bangor's forest science degree course.

``By taking the FE route, we are able to use credits and modules to break down barriers,'' says David Roberts, chairman of the community university initiative and Bangor's academic registrar. These courses are taught in the evening and at weekends. Students can take between four and 10 years to complete their degrees.