A UNIVERSITY centre is looking to expand in the wake of government changes.

Plans to remove the arbitrary cap on the number of students able to attend UK universities is expected to see the University Centre at Blackburn College grow.

Chancellor George Osborne said the nationwide cap on admissions would be lifted from 2015 onwards.

While nationally, university admissions are falling in response to higher fees, UCBC have reported increases.

As well as seeing more students choose to remain at home and study locally, the centre has also seen a rise in international students.

Dr Thomas Moore, CEO of Blackburn College, said he welcomed the news it would be allowed to admit more students.

He said: “Removing the cap on HE student numbers is encouraging news for our students and the wider community of Blackburn with Darwen.

“Already 53 per cent of our learners progress onto higher education courses so the creation of additional places will allow this opportunity to many more progressing students, as well as for new students.

“The college is further developing its academic plan, which will ensure the courses we offer not only continue to develop individuals but meet the future needs of businesses. The removal of the cap should allow us greater capacity and expansion.”

Nationally university applications which have been accepted dropped six per cent this year. However Blackburn College bucked the trend with a seven per cent rise in applications.

The University Centre at Blackburn College this year received over 1400 applications for full-time undergraduate courses.