07.06.06
Tremough campus expands

Work has started on a major expansion of the Tremough campus in Penryn. The new facilities now under construction will enable a further increase in the range of courses offered at the campus, which is shared by the University of Exeter and University College Falmouth as part of the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) initiative.

Building contractor Leadbitter is scheduled to complete its work in time to welcome students in autumn 2007.

Professor Alan Livingston, Chair of the CUC Steering Group said: "The new developments at Tremough underline CUC's mission to provide more opportunities for people to fulfil their study ambitions in Cornwall. We hope that many of the students who benefit from these facilities will go on to use their skills in local businesses, or perhaps start their own companies here in the future, thereby helping to drive Cornwall's progress towards a more knowledge-based economy."

Although only in its third year of operation at Tremough, the University of Exeter is already exceeding its recruitment targets in Cornwall, with biology and earth sciences applications showing a 40% increase over last year. With the addition of new teaching space, the University will introduce a range of new degree programmes in 2007, including history, politics and law.

University College Falmouth will relocate its successful photography courses to the campus and will add new specialist honours degrees in press, marine and natural history photography. The move will allow the College to expand into fashion design at its Woodlane campus, among other developments. The extension to its media centre will also allow University College Falmouth to launch masters' degrees in international, sports, investigative and science journalism.

The start of building work follows the granting of planning consent by Kerrier District Council and was marked by the unveiling of a plaque by Danuta Hübner, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, when she visited the campus on Monday, May 22nd. The Commissioner has taken an interest in CUC since attending a reception highlighting its achievements at the European Parliament in 2005 and has described the flagship Objective One project as 'a model for regeneration'.

The expansion of Tremough is part of the £55 million second phase of the CUC initiative, which is also enabling the creation of new university-level facilities at Truro College, Penwith College and at Cornwall College campuses in Rosewarne, Camborne, St Austell, Newquay, Stoke Climsland and Saltash.

For further information please contact David Kirk in the CUC PR & Communications office on 01326 370471 or email: david.kirk@cuc.ac.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) project, both Phase 1 and Phase 2 through the European Regional Development Fund.

Editor's notes:

The Combined Universities in Cornwall is a dynamic and visionary partnership that is one of the driving forces behind Cornwall's renaissance. This partnership combines the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, University College Falmouth, The Open University, The College of St Mark & St John, and the Peninsula Medical School, with Cornwall's Further Education colleges - Cornwall College, Truro College and Penwith College. It aims not only to provide the students of the future with more choice and greater opportunities, but also to boost the economic fortunes of the region for the benefit of one and all.

Phase 1 of the CUC initiative has been invested in by the Objective One programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the South West Regional Development Agency, Cornwall County Council, and the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

Phase 2 of the CUC initiative is being invested in by the Objective One programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the Department for Education and Skills, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Higher Education Funding Council for England, and the South West Regional Development Agency. The CUC is the flagship project of the Objective One programme.

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

back to top