A DORSET agricultural college has become partners with the Open University (OU) as part of a £10 million national programme to offer a wider range of higher education technical courses.

Kingston Maurward College near Dorchester announced its new partnership - which will be delivered at the state-of-the-art University Centre on its estate - last year.

Now the full details have emerged.

It is part of a £10 million national programme across England which will see the OU support nine further education colleges to put on a wider range of technical courses, to support more people to secure jobs with higher wages and grow the economy in their area.

The programme is supported by the Office for Students and the Department for Education and will see Kingston Maurward receive specialist support over the next two years to expand the number of higher education courses available in Dorset.

Head of Higher Education Mat Jarvis, said: "Working with the Open University is such a great opportunity.

"This project is enabling the college to develop new programmes to support the local rural economy by offering higher technical and vocational qualifications.

"I am really looking forward to seeing more and more people studying at the University Centre in the future and making use of our great estate and facilities.”

Brand new degree-level courses in Dairy Herd Management and Rural Business Management accredited by the OU will be starting this coming September at Kingston Maurward, presenting an opportunity for aspiring agriculturists to further explore their knowledge in a working farm.

Tom Hallam, Deputy Principal of Kingston Maurward College, said: “We are thrilled to have been successful in our application for Kingston Maurward College to participate in the programme.

"This will be a huge boost for the higher education offer in Dorset and the surrounding regions, especially as Dorset is a ‘cold spot’ for higher education and this programme will help us to deliver higher education courses that match the skills needs of the local community.”

Additional degree-level courses also start this September in Animal Behaviour & Welfare, Marine Ecology, Agriculture, Outdoor Adventure, Equine, Public Services, and Horticulture.

These, and the brand new OU programmes, will be showcased at Degree Level Open Day on Wednesday, May 15 at the site. The event will give potential students insight into the courses, an opportunity to speak with tutors, and a chance to look around the estate and the purpose-built University Centre.

Farmer and Countryfile presenter Adam Henson is a guest speaker at the event.

For more information go to kmc.ac.uk or check Facebook, email enquiries@kmc.ac.uk or call 01305 215000.