A leading Midlands college group has launched a new university centre to operate its growing Higher Education provision.
Warwickshire College and University Centre (WCUC) will oversee the degree-level education at college group WCG, which includes six colleges across Warwickshire and Worcestershire.
The new university centre follows on from WCG becoming the first college group in the UK to be granted both Bachelor degree awarding powers by the Office for Students, alongside the Foundation degree awarding powers already in place.
Prospective students that now apply to study a Higher Education course with WCG can now be enrolled on Warwickshire College awards under the new Warwickshire College and University Centre banner.
This includes Royal Leamington Spa College, Evesham College, Rugby College, Moreton Morrell College, Pershore College and Warwick Trident College. Degrees taught at Moreton Morrell continue to be awarded by Coventry University.
Degree courses will also be run from Malvern Hills Centre for Digital & Cyber Technology.
Students are able to study and complete either a Foundation degree or an Honours degree awarded directly by Warwickshire College and University Centre.
It is registered with the Office for Students and meets the requirements for course quality, academic standards, student support and student protection.
New degrees will be introduced including BA Graphic Design and Photography, BEng Engineering, BSc Agritech and BA Animation.
Steve Taylor, Dean of Higher Education at Warwickshire College and University Centre, said: “For prospective students looking to study with us in 2022 they will now be applying through UCAS to Warwickshire College and University Centre.
“Warwickshire College and University Centre degrees have a strong technical focus and are designed to support the Government’s drive to develop skilled individuals who can make an immediate positive impact on the economy after graduation.
“As part of launching the new centre, we have been working across each college to enhance our offer and facilities to meet the relevant industry and sector standards.
“With smaller class sizes, we are able to tailor courses to fit our students too, which we believe sets us apart from other Higher Education institutions.
“We’re proud of the offer we have developed for degree-level courses and are excited to be delivering those courses through Warwickshire College and University Centre.”
Angela Joyce, CEO of WCG, added: “The launch of Warwickshire College and University Centre is a major step in the continued growth and development of the Higher Education provision at the college group.
“Since we were awarded Bachelor degree awarding powers, we have been working towards opening up the new university centre and curating our own degree courses.
“We look forward to welcoming the inaugural Warwickshire College and University Centre cohort of students in September 2022.”
WCUC will be hosting degree-level open days across its seven delivery sites in January 2022, with the first event taking place on Tuesday, January 11 at Royal Leamington Spa College.
To find out more about Warwickshire College and University Centre and upcoming open days visit www.wcuc.ac.uk.