HARD working Wigan and Leigh College students will be guaranteed a place at university in future.

The college has secured a "compact" partnership with the University of Central Lancashire, which promises a place to those on full time courses.

These include GNVQ, BTEC National Diploma or A levels.

Principal, Margaret Murdin, said: "We believe this is a national first, a real triumph for the young people of Leigh and Wigan.

"If a school leaver comes to the college to do a full time course we can now guarantee them a place on a degree programme at UCL.

"They will have to work hard of course, and do their assignments on time and to a high standard, but the vast majority of students do that anyway.

"UCL is a highly regarded university and competition to get a place is tough. Students will have their part to play within the agreement, in that they must gain the necessary entry requirements for their course, college and university.

"The college wants to extend the partnership compact to as many local high schools as possible so that pupils can plan their higher education at the age of 14.

"We hope to put a compact in place for partnership schools which guarantees each pupil a place at the college, then a place at UCL - offering high quality education throughout."

Alan Hendry, schools liasion manager at the college, said: "I regularly visit schools and speak to pupils in years 10 and 11 about their futures. This initiative will dispel worries and help them focus from an early age. They will be able to plan training and education with the guaranteed prospect of a university place."

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