The centre, which will be located at the university’s Queen’s campus in Stockton-on-Tees, will open to international students for the September intake this year.

At the ISC, the international students will develop their language and study skills before progressing into the university’s undergraduate programmes or postgraduate programmes located at the campus in Durham City, around 20 miles from the Queen’s campus in Stockton.

“We value the contribution that our international students make to university life”

“We’re delighted to collaborate with Durham University to launch the International Study Centre and look forward to working with them, and the council, to welcome many more international students,” said James Pitman, managing director higher education UK & Europe at Study Group.

The university currently enrols 21% of its students from outside the EU, and students and staff are from 150 countries.

“We value the contribution that our international students make to university life,” said Stuart Corbridge, vice-chancellor of Durham University.

“We believe that the pathway programmes offered at our new ISC are the best way to prepare students and ensure a smooth transition to our undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes in Durham City.”

This partnership will be Study Group’s 19th partnership in the UK, bringing the total up to 22 across Europe.

Study Group has also expanded its US pathway offering, adding two American partners to its portfolio last July.