Pearson launches UK higher education college

International publishing and education firm Pearson is launching a for-profit higher education college in the UK, becoming the first FTSE 100 company to directly deliver degrees.

The initial BSc Pearson Business and Enterprise degree will focus on preparing students for the world of business and has been developed in conjunction with a range of industry partners including BT, Cisco, the Peter Jones Foundation and Atos. The degrees will be validated by Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, part of the University of London.

“Given its academic publishing heritage and business orientation, Pearson is uniquely placed to develop and deliver degrees that combine an academic foundation with business and employer needs,” said Managing Director of Pearson College, Roxanne Stockwell. “Our degrees are designed by business, delivered with business, for students who want to succeed in business.”

Discussing input from partners, Stockwell said, “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 industry partners.”

Students will study in a corporate environment at Pearson’s offices in London or Manchester and also take part in a residential course at Royal Holloway’s campus. The degree includes a guaranteed internship programme and a company-based mentor for every student.

The degree will be flexible with three routes available: the traditional three-year degree mode; an accelerated two-year course including summer study; and a combined work and study course over four years. Courses will also have September and January start dates. Further subject areas are being planned, with BSc degrees in Engineering and IT already scheduled for 2013.

Pearson is currently recruiting a small cohort to commence in September, and international applications will be accepted from 2013. Tuition fees for domestic students have been set at UK£6,500 (US$10,198) per year, substantially below average UK university fees, although international student fees have not yet been announced.

Pearson has a range of publishing interests including Penguin and the Financial Times, and owns the Edexcel examination board and the PTE Academic suite of English language examinations.