Bath Spa University is Shorelight’s first UK partner and so the competition helps build opportunities for Massachusetts-based students and raise awareness of the new SBE, which Shorelight helped to develop.

The funding for the two successful entrants will cover all education, travel and accommodation expenses for two years to enable them to enter into the second year of a business programme billed as “one of the only degree programmes in Europe that combines design thinking with global business, entrepreneurship and creativity”.

The announcement was made during a Massachusetts trade mission to the UK, led by Governor Deval Patrick.

“I applaud Shorelight Education for this generous new initiative, and for their efforts to strengthen the bonds between Massachusetts, the United Kingdom, and the rest of the world,” said Patrick.

The funding for the two successful entrants will cover all education, travel and accommodation expenses for two years

Chairman of the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, Charles Desmond, added, “Massachusetts’ 15 community colleges educate half of all students in our public higher education system, but they are often individuals who do not have access to study abroad opportunities. I am so pleased to see this opportunity extended to some of the most deserving and hard-working students in the state.”

Governor Deval Patrick addresses the audience during the trade mission

In the coming months, further details of the application and selection process will be revealed. Applicants must have completed four semesters of community college coursework by autumn 2015 to be eligible. The students selected during this competitive process will join Bath Spa University School of Business and Entrepreneurship’s inaugural class and graduate upon completion.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for our students to learn and grow together with their American peers,” said Vice Chancellor of Bath Spa University, Christina Slade, “and we look forward to welcoming them to our campus community next autumn.”

Bath Spa University is one of a number of higher education institutions that has developed a partnership with Shorelight to fund initiatives aimed at creating globally successful universities. Bath Spa Global, which is developing the SBE, is an outcome of the partnership.