The University of Portsmouth and Sparsholt College, Hampshire, are pleased to announce the creation of ‘University Centre Sparsholt’ for the College’s Higher Education provision, which is validated by the University of Portsmouth.

Sparsholt College has been offering Higher Education since the late 1970s and has worked with University of Portsmouth, its validating university, since the early 1980s. The designation of university centre allows the College to convey more clearly the quality and standards associated with these courses and differentiates them as university level programmes.

University of Portsmouth Pro-Vice Chancellor Paul Hayes said: “Sparsholt College is a very important partner in the delivery of franchised higher education programmes. We have been working in partnership with the College for many years and the new identity affirms the strength of the University’s relationship with the College, and our endorsement of the high quality courses and experience that it continues to provide for students.”

The reputation of Sparsholt Higher Education with employers is very high and the Higher Education Quality Assurance Agency had some impressive conclusions to report at its last review of the College in 2014. Sparsholt College is also noted as having some of the highest Student Satisfaction ratings in the county.

Sparsholt College Principal Tim Jackson added: “We are extremely pleased that the DfE has agreed to this new title which allows us to more accurately communicate the quality of our higher education courses which are of course the same standard and value as a traditional university. We have grown our portfolio in recent years and now offer a full range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees including Foundation, BScs and more recently three new Master’s programmes in our areas of specialist expertise – Zoo Biology, Equestrian Performance and Fisheries and Aquaculture.”

The new designation further consolidates the relationship between these two highly reputable institutions – Sparsholt as a leading institution for land based education and the University of Portsmouth which has its own world class ranking.

The National Student Survey 2016 results released earlier this year showed that colleges of further and higher education as opposed to traditional universities ranked highest for student satisfaction. Never a better time therefore to experience a Higher Education course at University Centre Sparsholt.

Find out about Sparsholt degrees and secure your place for 2017 here