AN exciting new partnership between Wiltshire College and Oxford Brookes University has launched, meaning some students will gain a university qualification during their studies.

From September, Wiltshire College’s courses in Business and Management, Motorsport Engineering, Early Years and Computing will be validated by Oxford Brookes.

The partnership means that those wishing to pursue those routes of study can do so in Wiltshire, but can still gain an Oxford Brookes University qualification.

Professor Alistair Fitt, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University, said: “It is a great honour to be launching this new partnership and an exciting new venture for both institutions.

“The new courses are all in key subject areas which will help to support the wider society, UK PLC and no doubt have international influence as we know many of our students go on to make a difference all around the world.

“I hope that this first group of courses are just the beginning and discussions are already taking place to look at how we can develop further programmes such as health and social care.

“We want to be at the forefront of provision in higher degree apprenticeships. The expertise of Wiltshire College in this area means that there is a great chance for us to do so in collaboration.”

Amanda Burnside, Principal and Chief Executive at Wiltshire College, added: “This is an exciting day in the history of Wiltshire College as we mark the partnering with a university whose ambition and aspirations so closely match our own and whose roots lie in vocational education and with a founding vision of making education available to all.

“We really do see it as marking the start o a very important chapter in the College’s Higher Education story and we look forward to a mutually successful and highly rewarding relationship with Oxford Brookes.”

Information about the Oxford Brookes courses at Wiltshire College can be found at www.wiltshire.ac.uk.