A COLLEGE is hoping to attract hundreds of students with the launch of a new university centre.

Nelson and Colne College is to expand its higher education provision in a bid to offer degrees in the future.

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New undergraduate courses include higher national diplomas (HND) and higher national certificates (HNC) in business studies, computing and systems development, engineering and sport.

College bosses hope this will be expanded to include health and social care, public services, sciences and arts in the future.

The university centre, which will be officially launched on Monday, January 30, will use classrooms already used by other courses.

The college said the expansion of adult provision would ‘give learners the chance to gain a university-level qualification locally, flexibly and affordably in a bid to fast-track their career and increase their earning potential’.

Some courses will start next month including higher national diplomas in business studies, computing and systems development, engineering and sport with places still available for those wishing to start.

Entries are also being taken for courses in September.

Dr Steve Wright, director for higher education, said it offered a ‘great opportunity for the college to develop its higher education provision’.

He said: “Down the line, our aim is to offer a broader range of university-level qualifications in areas such as health and social care, public services, science and the arts to name a few, as well as the development of foundation degrees and ‘top up’ degree opportunities in partnership with universities.

“Our offer is responsive to local need and working alongside local employers and our communities we will continue to develop our curriculum to meet demand.”

Principal Amanda Melton said the college could help learners gain a nationally-recognised qualification even if they had other work and personal commitments.

She said: “I am absolutely thrilled to announce the launch.

“A great deal of hard work has gone into the development of our higher education offer so it is great to now see it come to fruition.

“The college already has an outstanding reputation for quality education, with us being number one in the country for apprenticeship success, number one in Lancashire for A-levels and number one in the area for vocational success.

“We are delighted that we can build on this further.

“The offer of higher level qualifications that are flexible, affordable, and right on the doorstep is fantastic news for Pendle and the wider area.”

The official launch later this month will be on the same day as the college’s traditional graduation ceremony. Opera singer and former student Sean Ruane is due to perform.

College chiefs hope the courses will attract hundreds of students in the first 12 months.

News of the expansion was welcomed by Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson.

He said: “I think this is exciting news. It is the latest big investment at the college following the new engineering facilities and science labs so this is great.

“Hopefully it will bring more students to the area and ensure the already outstanding college can continue to go from strength-to-strength.”

Cllr Mohammed Iqbal, leader of Pendle Council, said: “It is absolutely brilliant news.

“The college is an integral part of the borough in Pendle and I fully support this.

“It will bring more students and more money for the local economy.”