University Campus Suffolk Moves Towards Independence

IPSWICH, England, March 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

University Campus Suffolk (UCS) is pleased to announce that at a recent meeting of the UCS Board it was agreed that UCS would seek to move towards a new governance structure and start the process of gaining its own degree awarding powers. If successful, the next stage of development would be the award of university title. UCS would then become the first independent university in Suffolk awarding its own degrees.

This proposed development is fully supported by the Vice Chancellors of both the University of East Anglia and the University of Essex, which currently jointly validate all UCS degrees, and our partner colleges in the UCS Learning Network who will continue to form a key part of the new governance structure.

The process of gaining degree awarding powers and university title is likely to take a significant period of time, with completion by the summer of 2015 at the earliest. The Deputy Provost, Richard Lister, will lead a special group constructed to take forward the project.

Professor Edward Acton, Chair of the UCS Board, said: "This is clearly a significant point in the development of UCS and potentially a historic moment for both UCS and Suffolk as a whole. UCS has grown at a rapid pace since it opened in 2007 and now is the right time for UCS to seek to move towards independence. "

Professor Mike Saks, Provost of UCS, said: "The decision by the UCS Board to agree to this direction of travel is a clear endorsement of our ability to operate as a separate and sustainable institution and I am delighted that we have its full support for the next stage in our move to becoming a fully independent university."

Notes to editors

I. UCS is a partnership between the University of East Anglia and the University of Essex, working with Lowestoft College, Great Yarmouth College, Otley College, Suffolk New College and West Suffolk College. The development is also supported by Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Borough Council.

II. Strong connections with local, regional and international employers ensures that all UCS courses are built with employability in mind - over 90% of UCS graduates in 2011 went on to employment or further study.

III. UCS offers an attractive portfolio of courses within the Schools of Applied Social Science, Arts and Humanities, Nursing and Midwifery, Business, Leadership and Enterprise, and Science, Technology and Health at Undergraduate and Postgraduate level. This is complemented by a range of research in these areas.

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