Funding worth £6.5million is set to be given to accelerate the establishment of a University of Peterborough.

The business case to increase students studying at the centre will be discussed at a Combined Authority meeting tomorrow (Wednesday 28 June).

The aim of this funding is to secure an independent fully-fledged University for the city.

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority says that in principle funding is to be used over the next three years.

It wants to increase university student numbers in the city to 3,000 by 2022 by expanding the curriculum, recruiting staff and boosting the higher education profile.

As student numbers grow the funding could also be used to secure an additional UCP interim site ahead of any future campus development.

The process is already underway for UCP to be issue their own degrees and the project team will submit an application for Taught Degree Awarding Powers (TDAP) later this year to be in place by 2019.

Potential sites for a future campus have been identified with a preferred location expected to be announced by Peterborough City Council in the autumn as part of their Local Plan.

It’s hoped that by 2020 funding can be secured for the campus infrastructure ahead of a transition to independent university status.

The campus would then grow over time to match student numbers with the target of 12,500 students studying degrees in the city by 2035.

James Palmer, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: “Establishing an independent university was a central pledge of my campaign and therefore I’m delighted that the Combined Authority is set to approve funding to further this development within my first 100 days.

“Not only will it create opportunities for our young people and attract and develop a better skilled workforce for employers it will lead to the creation of thousands of new jobs and a provide a significant boost to the local economy. This is just the start of our commitment to make the University of Peterborough a reality.”

Councillor John Holdich, deputy mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and leader of Peterborough City Council, said: “The key to having an independent university is attracting students and this is what this funding principally aims to do. Currently we have around 800 students studying degrees in the city and this needs to increase before UCP evolves into the University of Peterborough. Work continues to identify our preferred site for the future campus and UCP will be awarding their own degrees within the next couple of years.

“This funding is crucial and the combined authority’s backing means we can now accelerate our plans to establish a fully-fledged independent university in the city.”

Councillor John Clark, portfolio holder for employment and skills and leader of Fenland District Council, said: “Peterborough is the largest conurbation in the UK without it’s own university and sits within a geographical higher education cold spot. The Combined Authority is clear that this needs to change and that by establishing an independent university in Peterborough it will provide an opportunity for our residents to study nearby whilst also attracting talented students from across the UK.

“The university will provide world class education and highly skilled graduates to the local area which will boost all elements of the economy.”