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University of York enters £200m partnership initiative with Chinese culture group

The University of York has partnered with China Culture Investment Group (CCIG) to develop new education and industrial training provision, aimed at overseas students.

CCIG is expected to invest up to £200m in the initiative, based on programmes offered by our Department of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV), including a BSc in Film and Television Production.

The intention is to recruit up to 300 students a year from the People’s Republic of China and other countries to programmes.

The Prime Minister David Cameron said: “This £200m programme is a huge achievement for the University of York and will provide an excellent facility for students both from China and across the Northern Powerhouse area.”

The new programmes will be taught by York University staff, and all academic issues, including entrance standards and quality assurance, will rest with the University. CCIG will provide investment to develop new facilities and will be responsible for recruiting students.

It is anticipated that the first cohort of students will enter the degree programme in September 2018.

Professor Koen Lamberts, Vice-Chancellor of the University of York, and Mr Geng Zhenhao, CEO of the China Culture Investment Group, will sign a framework agreement setting out the scope of the proposed collaboration at an event at Lancaster House attended by the President of China, His Excellency Mr Xi Jinping and HRH Prince William in London on 21 October.

Professor Lamberts said: “We are very pleased to continue to develop our discussions with CCIG to deliver high quality programmes to excellent students. There is much work to be done to finalise the details but we are confident that this represents a remarkable shared opportunity for York and CCIG.

“York is a university with an excellent reputation for the quality of its teaching and research. We believe that education delivered with a global context provides excellent preparation for all of our students to compete at the highest level anywhere.”

Mr Geng Zhenhao said: “We are delighted to be working with the University of York in developing this important initiative. There is an ever expanding need for highly trained graduates to work in the film and television industry in China and across the world. We look forward very much to continuing our discussions with the University to deliver innovative education and industrial training programmes to overseas students including Chinese students.”