Students more than 4,500 miles away in Nepal will now be able to gain Keele University degrees as part of a ground-breaking new partnership.

The British International College (BIC), based in Kathmandu, will deliver an MSc Advanced Computer Science degree to students after signing an agreement with Keele and its School of Computer Science and Mathematics.

The programme will have two intakes a year, in September and January. It is expected that 75 students per year will study through the new partnership. Students in Nepal will be taught face-to-face at their campus, in a move that will widen international access to Keele’s degree programmes and diversify the University's academic community.

A link tutor will oversee communication between Keele and BIC, to ensure the quality and standards in teaching and learning environment for students remain comparable to those at Keele.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, Professor Mark Ormerod, said: "I am delighted that Keele University’s new partnership with the British International College in Kathmandu has enabled us to launch the Keele Master's in Advanced Computer Science in Nepal. The British International College is part of the Kandel Group which shares Keele’s belief in the transformational power of education and its value to individuals and communities. We are delighted to be working with them on this project."

Pro Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Professor Jonathan Wastling, said: "The School of Computer Science and Mathematics is very much looking forward to beginning this exciting development with colleagues at the British International College. Provision of an exceptional student experience is a key priority for the partnership."

Professor Daniel Reidenbach, Head of the School of Computer Science and Mathematics, said: "We are confident that graduates will not only have the technical knowledge to succeed in their chosen field but will also have a broader skillset which will enhance their career prospects. The programme will support Nepal’s drive to foster a knowledgeable and skilled workforce by creating IT professionals who can maximise the benefits of emerging and modern technologies to underpin the country’s economic growth in the coming years."