£10.5m university opens for the first time today in Rotherham

Today (September 24), the new £10.5m University Centre Rotherham (UCR) is to open its doors for the first time.

The university centre in Rotherham’s town centre on Doncaster Gate will provide access to degrees and higher-level qualification, accredited by Hull University and Sheffield Hallam University.

UCR is operated by education and training provider RNN Group and is part of the Rotherham Plan 2025, a strategy set out by the Rotherham Together Partnership aiming to improve the economic and social wellbeing of the borough.

Currently only 17 per cent of the population in Rotherham and Bassetlaw have a higher or degree-level qualification (level four or above), compared to the national average of 27 per cent.

Chief executive of the RNN Group, John Connolly, said: “We are delighted to welcome students to the brand new UCR campus this autumn.

“Studying at UCR means students can achieve their career aspirations without the need to live away from home or travel long distances and offers opportunities for those already in employment who want to study a degree or higher-level qualification around their work and family commitments.

“We’re aiming to inspire students at UCR to become the business leaders and entrepreneurs of the future.”

RNN Group expects to run 50 different university-level courses by 2020, adding to the 32 higher-level courses currently on offer. It is aiming to attract 1,000 additional students over the first five years.

Cllr Chris Read, Leader of Rotherham Council and Chair of the Rotherham Together Partnership, which has helped drive the plans for the facility, also added: “Having a university centre here in Rotherham will develop both education and business for future generations here in Rotherham.

“It makes sense to attract new students and local businesses in order to offer the best educational and business experiences.

“This centre will play a pivotal role in closing the skills gap in the town and support the local economy by increasing access to higher-level skills.”

UCR is part-funded by the Sheffield City Region which contributed £3.5m of Local Growth Fund money.