Pearson, the UK publisher and education company, says it will branch into providing higher education degrees in Britain.
The firm, which owns the Penguin book brand and the Financial Times, said it is launching Pearson College and offering a bachelor's business degree.
The degree will be taught in the company's offices in London and Manchester and will be validated by existing London universities.
Pearson said today it is the first FTSE 100 company to directly deliver an undergraduate course.
Tuition fees are set at £6,500 sterling a year for the course, which begins in September.
Roxanne Stockwell, the college's managing director, said Pearson's academic publishing history and commercial experience boosts its credentials as a degree provider.
