Pearson to set up business college

Pearson said it aims to recruit “the brightest and most entrepreneurial students” for the courses, which have been developed with a number of businesses.

Degrees at Pearson College, which will properly launch in September next year, will be validated by Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, which are part of the University of London, the publishing and education firm said.

The new college comes amid a Government move to allow more private firms to enter higher education.

Pearson said its business and enterprise degree will “focus on preparing students for the world of business”.

Companies including BT, Cisco, the Peter Jones Foundation and Atos have been involved in developing the course, it added.

The degree will include a guaranteed internship programme and company-based mentors for students.

A small number of students are due to be recruited to begin courses, which will cost £6,500 a year in tuition fees, this autumn, with the main launch next year.

To win a place, applicants must get at least an A and two Bs at A-level, or equivalent, and undergo an assessment day.

Roxanne Stockwell, managing director of Pearson College, said: “Our degrees are designed by business, delivered with business, for students who are serious about succeeding in business.

“We have a network of blue chip industry relationships, many of whom are working with us on the design and delivery of our degree programmes.

“This gives us an inherent understanding of the modern business environment and employer needs. Our degrees will therefore embed professional work experience, business skills and etiquette, with significant and relevant input from our industry partners.”

A spokeswoman for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills said: “We remain committed to the vision we set out in last year’s Higher Education (HE) White Paper.

“Government believes in competition and choice.

“We want a diverse, competitive HE sector that can offer different types of higher education, giving students the ability to choose between a wide range of providers.

“We can achieve much through non-legislative action.

“Overall, we are keen to reduce bureaucracy and the burdens of legislation for the sake of it, and where we can institute reform without the need for legislation then that is what we will do.”