A university campus is to be launched in Castle Point providing better education prospects for students, it was revealed today.

Anglia Polytechnic University (APU) is leasing a building next to SEEVIC in Benfleet, as part of its expansion plans into south Essex.

It will offer a mix of higher full and part time education programmes in humanities and psychology from the White House in Runnymede Chase.

Mike Malone-Lee, APU vice chairman, said: "The campus will be the hub of a network of partnerships with schools, and education in the community, working together in a total programme of providing local access to life-long learning opportunities.

"APU aims to be the local university of choice for students and employers for Essex. The university wants to extend and facilitate access to higher education, particularly to people who could benefit but encounter obstacles to entering.

"This new campus will help APU to extend access by reaching out into the community."

Programmes in business studies, behavioural studies, sports studies, childhood and youth studies, business information technology, performing arts, health and social studies should be available from next year.

University staff will work alongside those from the college to provide courses that meet the needs of the area.

Links between the two institutions began in the early 1990s. This is the latest step in the on-going development of higher education opportunities in the borough.

Geoff Arnott, college principal, said: "I am very pleased that our partnership with Anglia Polytechnic University has developed so successfully.

"With one in five university students studying from home, this is a perfect time to provide high quality further and

higher education on one campus."

There are now more than 16,000 students with APU, and many already study away from its main campuses in Chelmsford and Cambridge.

SEEVIC has also seen growth in its student numbers and has just had plans approved for a £1.1 million two-storey building and a 28 space car park.

The launch of the new campus will take place on Friday, March 26, at the White House.

Southend will also be a university town by the year 2000. South East Essex College is teaming up with Essex University.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.