THE island’s first locally-taught foundation degree is set to launch next year.

The GTA University Centre plans to start a business management foundation degree, covering topics such as marketing, accounting, economics, law, consumer behaviour and human resource management, in September 2010.

This course will be offered in a part-time format over four years. It will then offer the option of progressing to an honours degree in Guernsey or transferring to the final year of the full-time programme in Bournemouth.

The development of the degree has made possible by the Guernsey branch of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. It is delivered in partnership with Bournemouth University.

‘This will be a first for Guernsey and a first for the GTA and we are very much looking forward to offering islanders the opportunity to study for a degree on-island,’ said chief executive Richard Conder (pictured).

‘We are grateful to professional body Step for supporting this major new educational programme and to Bournemouth University, our accrediting institution, for working so hard with us to realise this unique initiative.

‘Of course we would always encourage people to study full-time at university if they possibly can. If you get the chance to go to university and are in a position to take advantage of such an opportunity, we at the GTA say grab it with both hands.’