Micro-credentials need EdTech infrastructure that most universities have not built yet
Short, stackable qualifications are being positioned as a flexible alternative to degrees. The evidence that employers value them is limited. Take-up is concentrated in a narrow group of learners.
By Wistl Editorial · · Higher Ed
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement, which will replace adult learner loans and advanced learner loans from the 2026 to 2027 academic year, is the government's most significant structural intervention in higher education access for some time. It creates a modular entitlement allowing adults to study at Levels 4 and 5 without committing to a full degree, and it is intended to support the growth of micro-credentials as a recognised route to upskilling. Universities are developing modular provision in response, though with varying enthusiasm. The administrative cost of supporting learners who arriv