MK College and MK-based Open University announce new degree courses

Milton Keynes College has announced plans to offer full degrees in partnership with the MK-based Open University.

The College Group will now teach a range of degrees, giving students the confidence that the quality of the education being provided is at full OU standard. The move came after MK College went through what they describe as a “rigorous validation process”.

Potential students can apply now on the College Group’s website for the first courses, which will start in September. The available subjects include Foundation Degrees in Applied Computing, Games Design & Development, and full BSc Honours Degrees in Applied Computing and Games Design & Development.

Milton Keynes College said that they are able to offer high‑quality higher education at a lower cost, supporting students for whom traditional university fees may feel out of reach. 

The model is intended by the college to reflect a long‑standing commitment to inclusion, local opportunity, and student success, without any compromise on academic standards. MK College also said that the fee structure is designed to enable learners to focus on their education, their wellbeing, and their future careers, while benefiting from small class sizes, expert teaching staff, and strong employer links. 

MK College’s Director for Adult and Higher Education, Laura Black, said, “The degrees on offer will be devised and delivered by expert College staff, but they will also be supported by The OU’s sixty years in the Higher Education sector, giving students confidence that they are receiving qualifications of genuine stature. 

“The OU has been over our systems and processes with a fine-toothed comb to make sure we’re meeting their exacting standards, and we’re really proud to now have that mark of approval. We’re looking forward to welcoming learners onto these new courses from this September.” 

Phil Kenmore, Director of Employers and Partnerships at the Open University, added, “Being based in Milton Keynes, The Open University is embedded in the city and recognises the importance of delivering skills to local people. 

“Milton Keynes has a growing reputation as a technology hub and these new programmes will widen access to higher education and provide skills for the jobs of the future. Our proven, high-quality approach to validating higher education courses via further education colleges has been honed over 30 years and this partnership with Milton Keynes College helps us continue this success and expand our mission to open up education for all.” 

The degree validation agreement is the latest development in a burgeoning relationship between the two institutions.  They are jointly key drivers in the new Civic Agreement aimed at improving collaboration between member organisations to move the city forward and to maximise the possibilities for growth afforded by the Oxford/Cambridge Growth Corridor.