Pearson becomes first FTSE 100 firm to offer degrees

Pearson, the publishing and education group, has unveiled a new higher education (HE) college that will offer undergraduate degrees to UK students and in doing so become the first ever FTSE 100 company to enter the higher education market.

The move was not a huge surprise given that the group has been vocal about its HE plans for a couple of years now, although its original plans were to become an exam board and validate degrees rather than a provider of education.

The college will be known quite simply as "Pearson College" and will fall under the category of for-profit education.

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Roxanne Stockwell, Managing Director of Pearson College, said of the decision: "As we did more research into it ... where we think we can add the most value is in designing and delivering for our own students."

The company must now the appropriate status to award degrees and in the meantime will have their courses validated by Royal Holloway College, part of the University of London.

The initial plan is for Pearson to take 40 "pioneer" students this year, then 100 students next year who will each pay £19,500 fees for the three-year course.

The company has said its first course will be a business and enterprise BSc.

NR