Leading IT graduate employer FDM Group will pay fees for high-flying graduates to study for an MSc in Applied Computer Science.
FDM will be working with Brighton University and accredited institutions to develop an innovative fast-track programme for graduates looking to pursue a career in the IT sector.
As one of the leading IT training companies in the UK, FDM will recruit 1000 graduates onto its award-winning Academy Programme and some 100 of the best candidates will go on to undertake the three-year Master Class Programme with the company.
FDM will pay the full tuition fees for each student in addition to a competitive salary throughout the three years, leading to both a Masters, an industry accredited IT qualification and commercial expertise with FDM clients such as HSBC, UBS, Barclays, BSkyB and FT.
Graduates who embark on the Master Class Programme will also have the opportunity to work in FDM’s eight locations worldwide, including London, New York, Frankfurt and Luxembourg.
On completion of the programme, graduates will be fully qualified IT Consultants and receive an MSc in Applied Computer Science, an industry accredited IT qualification, and have invaluable experience with some of the largest financial, media and retail companies in the world.
FDM is commited to tackling the IT skills shortage and bridge the gap between university and employment for graduates.
Sheila Flavell, chief operating officer at FDM, said: “This partnership is hugely exciting for both the university and FDM. We are passionate about training graduates to kick-start their careers within IT and finance and we will continue to encourage graduates to pursue a career in the IT sector.”
Sam Rhodes, the university’s head of careers, said: “By working for FDM, graduates can gain an insight into the workings of a large organisation and improve their employability skills, whilst gaining valuable commercial experience.”
Professor Julian Crampton, Vice Chancellor of the University of Brighton, said: “As an organisation committed to effective partnerships, FDM shares similar values with regards to tailoring activity to address specific needs. FDM remains embedded in Brighton and Hove, the company’s first location, and not only does FDM continue to employ a healthy number of graduates from the university, Rod and Sheila Flavell, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer respectively, are both alumni of the university themselves.”
Professor Andrew Lloyd, Dean of the university’s Faculty of Science and Engineering, said: “We are delighted to have been able to establish this collaboration between the university and FDM. This new Masters programme is a great example of how academic institutions can play an important and unique role in responding to the developing needs of the industry.
“The programme will ensure high academic-quality provision which is tailored to the needs of the IT services sector, and colleagues within the university will work closely with FDM to support the continual evolution of the programme to meet changes in demands in the sector. We look forward to congratulating the first graduates from this course in the not too distant future.”
