A new agreement has been secured that guarantees learners a placement offer at Southampton Solent University and University of Portsmouth, providing entry criteria is met.

Under the terms of the new arrangement, any College learner who successfully fulfils entry criteria and applies in advance of the UCAS equal consideration deadline will receive a guaranteed offer for their course of choice at both Southampton Solent University and University of Portsmouth. For courses where additional requirements are used to aid selection, learners will instead receive an invitation to attend an interview, audition or portfolio viewing.

Rhys Phillips, Senior Manager in UK Student Recruitment at Southampton Solent University, said: “This agreement provides the students of Eastleigh College with a clear progression route to degree courses at Solent University, continuing a proud history of collaboration between our two institutions. By continuing their education with Solent University, Eastleigh College students will become ‘futureproofed’, resilient, agile and ready to meet the challenges of the future. We look forward to welcoming them.”

Chris Chang, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at University of Portsmouth, said: “This partnership between the University of Portsmouth and Eastleigh College is part of a wider strategy by the University to work with local colleges and schools, such as Eastleigh College, to provide educational opportunities for students in the area.”

Learners at Eastleigh College have many progression paths available in and beyond their studies, including workplace placements, continued further education, apprenticeships and higher education. Eastleigh College is also part of the Southern Universities Network which aims to increase the number of people from disadvantaged backgrounds in higher education.

The last academic year saw 83 learners from Eastleigh College receive placement offers at 24 universities including Swansea, Cardiff, Bournemouth, St George’s London, Southampton, Southampton Solent, Winchester, Surrey, Portsmouth, London Southbank, Bristol, Kings College, Chichester, Roehampton, Exeter, Brighton, Kingston, University College London, Arts University Bournemouth, University of the Arts London, Goldsmiths, Bath Spa, Ravensbourne and Falmouth.

For more information, please contact the College at BeBetter@eastleigh.ac.uk.