2015 hope for new university in Shropshire
A new university for Shropshire could be up and running by September next year, it has been revealed.
A research and postgraduate presence could even be in place in Shrewsbury by this April.
It is hoped the first admissions for undergraduates could start from September 2015.
Details have been revealed in a new report going to Shropshire Council's decision-making cabinet on Wednesday.
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The authority has been working with the University of Chester to develop draft proposals for a new higher education institution.
A report going to Shropshire Council has revealed the council's ip&e company, which has been established to run services for profit, would provide support functions relating to areas such as accommodation, finance and human relations.
No details of precisely where the university would be based have been revealed.
A report to the council says: "The outline proposal is to establish a research and postgraduate presence in Shrewsbury by April 2014 and simultaneously work up the business case and funding package for the undergraduate provision and overall university presence to enable the first admissions to take place for September 2015."
Professor Tim Wheeler, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Chester, said: "The initial research gives a strong justification for taking plans forward.
"A higher education institution would create a wide range of benefits and opportunities, including attracting investment and enhancing the region's economic prospects."
Keith Barrow, leader of Shropshire Council, said: "We are developing a vision for a university for Shropshire that is very deliberately designed to be an instrument of economic development for the county. The development would be 'of Shropshire and for Shropshire'."
