Bath Spa University and New City College confirm new strategic educational partnership

A new educational partnership between Bath Spa University and New City College will offer increased Higher Education opportunities to students from September 2021.

Bath Spa University’s high-quality courses will now be available locally to people across East London and parts of Essex, through New City College’s network of campuses. The courses on offer from September include BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies, Foundation Degree in Education Studies for Teaching Assistants, BA (Hons) Integrative Counselling and MA Education. They will be taught initially at NCC’s Ardleigh Green campus in Havering and further courses are planned for future intakes.

Bath Spa University has a long history in teacher education, has been educating students, teachers and other educational professionals since the 1940s. Today, the University offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses in a wide range of subjects across science, education, social sciences, humanities, business and the arts to around 7,000 students. The partnership with New City College provides opportunities to develop Higher Education courses in London, that focus on the wide range of subjects offered at Bath Spa University.

Speaking about the exciting new partnership, Professor Sue Rigby, Vice-Chancellor at Bath Spa University, said: “We are delighted to be entering into a strategic partnership with New City College.

“Over the last year, the world has changed and many people have lost their jobs and businesses have struggled to survive. Universities and further education colleges are well placed to help with the recovery by working more closely together to offer opportunities for students from different backgrounds, including mature learners and widening access to Higher Education opportunities.

“Our shared values and educational expertise are at the centre of this partnership, and will offer access to degree-level study to students who may not have considered it before.”

New City College is the fourth largest college group in the UK with campuses across Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Redbridge, Epping Forest and Havering. The College helps students break boundaries and think big.

Gerry McDonald, CEO and Group Principal at New City College said: “Creating opportunity for local people is one of our main priorities and working with Bath Spa University, we will be able to offer excellent quality Higher Education courses within our local communities. I’m also very excited about opportunities for sharing best practice among our staff and maximising the many potential benefits of our partnership.”

The partnership will bring new opportunities for staff in the form of shared teaching and Continued Professional Development (CPD).

Future plans for this strategic partnership include a new University Centre based in London.