Laying the foundations for a successful partnership

Teesside University welcomed staff and students from Rotherham’s Dearne Valley College to mark the start of an exciting new collaboration.

The partnership will see a range of foundation degrees accredited by Teesside University taught at the college.

Dearne Valley College currently offers higher education awards to around 180 students and under the new partnership, Teesside University will become the validating body for a range of foundation degrees from the new academic year in September 2013.

Subject areas include early childhood studies, public services, sport and exercise and travel and tourism management.

Vice-Chancellor of Teesside University Professor Graham Henderson CBE DL believes the partnership will be a great success and will enable even more students to achieve their full potential.

He said: 'We are developing a strong relationship with Dearne Valley College, building on our shared passion for widening participation and encouraging more people to benefit from higher education.

'The partnership supports the ambitions of both Teesside University and Dearne Valley College to facilitate the highest quality courses and I am confident this will be a long and successful collaboration.'

Martin Harrison, Dearne Valley College Principal, added: 'Our collaboration with Teesside University will enable Dearne Valley College to deliver quality Higher Education to local students, with the benefit of course validation under the Teesside name.'

'Currently, 98% of the College’s Higher Education students progress to top-up degrees or employment, and we are delighted to complement this achievement by forging a partnership with a leading institution who shares our core values.'

Professor Caroline MacDonald, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Partnerships & Standards) at Teesside University, said: 'We were delighted to welcome representatives from Dearne Valley College to the University and look forward to working together for many years to come.

'This is an exciting partnership for both parties which will widen participation in higher education.'

---