A FUTURE University of Cumbria' moved a step closer this week with the stamp of approval given to plans that could see a massive cash injection of £54 million pumped into the county's education system, reports Andy Bloxham.

The Higher Education Funding Council for England has accepted the business model that will lay the foundations for the future university and will now start working with a group of the county's major stakeholders to bring the university to fruition.

More than £50 million will need to be invested into the county to make the scheme become a reality and the higher and further education institutions, the Northwest Regional Development Agency, Cumbria Learning and Skills Council, Cumbria County Council and Cumbria Vision will be working together to see that it happens.

The university's main centre will be in Carlisle but it will be linked to a number of network institutions including Kendal College, Furness College and St Martin's College of Higher Education that has a campus at Ambleside.

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