Want a free university education?

Fancy a university education without forking out tens of thousands of pounds in tuition fees?

IT’S possible if you live in or near Brighton & Hove.

Free University Brighton (FUB for short) offers validated, degree-level courses in Social Science and Philosophy both of which are completely free – earning them the nick-name ‘Freegrees’.

After running these courses successfully for three years FUB is about to enrol more students.

FUB’s founder, Ali Ghanimi said: “Anyone can study these courses, you don’t need ‘A’ levels, just an open mind and a willingness to learn. We’ve designed the courses so that people who work or care for others can participate and students can pick and choose from a wide variety of subjects. Current offers include Criminology, Sociology, Political Economy, Psychology, Philosophy, Feminism, Gender & Sexuality, Politics and Development Studies. We aim to provide education that’s accessible, fun, builds confidence and empowers people to improve their lives”.

Ghanimi set up Free University Brighton in 2012 after the Coalition Government trebled tuition fees and introduced above-inflation interest rates on student loans. The move sparked student protests and occupations around the country but also a new wave of free, community-led education initiatives.

The courses are free thanks to a group of university lecturers who teach voluntarily. Many do so because they believe in FUB’s ethos that education should be accessible to everyone and for the benefit of society. Universities used to be sites of critical inquiry but are now market-driven businesses where courses are determined by what brings in the most money.

Feedback has been positive with one student said: “It has been my life-long dream to study at university level but finances prevented that. FUB has given me this opportunity. It has broadened my thinking and opened up my mind to other views and possibilities!”

Another said: “It is challenging on so many levels, and an absolutely wonderful experience!”

If your interested and want to find out more, click here:

Or head along to their Open Evening from 7-9pm on Wednesday, July 11 at the Learning Centre in the City Clean Depot on Upper Hollingdean Road, Brighton BN1 7GA.