New university campus opens to students

New Beacon Campus has opened its doors and is now ready to accept new students at the site of Staffordshire University's former campus.

The Stafford venue is now one of the latest Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) centres in the UK, offering a huge portfolio of programmes to new students.

Professor James O’Kane, Dean of Beacon Business School, said: “We are proud to be the newest SQA approved centre and we are looking forward to welcoming our first cohort in September.

"The SQA Advanced Diplomas are suitable for school leavers, adult returners to education, those in employment who wish to enhance their career prospects and people who wish to start their own business."

People from across the community joined the celebratory opening event, including Councillor Gareth Jones, Mayor of Stafford.

He said he was pleased to see the campus re-open and voiced hopes it would become a major part of Stafford's regeneration by educating students and creating jobs.

Gillian Hepburn, national business development manager at SQA, said: “The ambition New Beacon Campus has demonstrated is palpable and we are looking forward to working with the team in Stafford.

"We design our qualifications with the needs of industry at their heart.

"Students that complete our courses will develop valuable, sought-after knowledge and skills, allowing them to make the successful transition into the workplace, or articulate onto further education and training programmes.

"I wish everyone at New Beacon Campus all the best for the new semester."

Tutors at the campus will offer Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Advanced Diplomas in accountancy, business, human resource management, and marketing, together with full British Accreditation Council (BAC) accreditation.

A partnership between the campus and Staffordshire University will mean that graduates can gain "direct entry" to either the second or final year of a relevant subject studied.

Students will also have the opportunity to take up credit transfer, study abroad and summer schools options to follow over the next few months.

Professor Richard Li-Hua, president of New Beacon Campus, added: "The support received by Stafford Borough Council and Stafford County Council, and the Chamber of Commerce is reassuring and a testament to our commitment in making this partnership work, to fully develop the campus and to integrate with the local community."