New College Stamford increased their range of Higher Education qualifications with an exclusive new agreement with Leeds Metropolitan University signed this week. The existing awards ranging from Access to HE courses, foundation degrees to full honours degrees are delivered in close partnership with local Universities such as the University of Lincoln, BISHOP GROSSETESTE (University of Lincoln) and the University of Northampton but the new partnership is an exclusive coup for the college. The College officially signed a new memorandum of agreement at an official ceremony on Thursday 25th June at the College’s Ryhall Road campus. The event was attended by Dr. Geoff Hitchins, Chief Executive, Michelle Fraser, Associate Dean, Innovation North and Barbara Colledge, Interim Dean, Innovation North from Leeds Metropolitan University who were entertained by the New College Stamford Cadet team and Performing Arts students. Staff and students were also invited and enjoyed the sunshine at a special summer garden party organised to celebrate the event and to make special awards to staff who had achieved NVQ qualifications this year.

Dr John Baldwin Head of Higher Education at New College Stamford explained: “Over the past 3 years the college has expanded its HE provision by working with 3 universities in order to provide a suite of HE qualifications to meet the vocational needs of our learners.  This year we have recognised that we need to provide a HE qualification for FE students taking Beauty and Spa and Public Service qualifications.  We identified that one of the leading universities in the country that provide validation for these qualifications is Leeds Metropolitan University.  We underwent validation process to accredit the college and the Foundation Degrees in Beauty and Spa Management and Public Services.  The college was validated with no conditions.”

New College Stamford Principal, Miles Dibsdall was delighted; “This is an exceptional achievement as Leeds Metropolitan University normally only validate colleges in the north of the country but they were so impressed by NCS that they decided to make an exception for us. We are both proud and delighted that we can now offer improved University qualification prospects for local people on their doorstep”