FDM Launch Fully Funded Masters Degree for Graduates

Online, January 4, 2011 (Newswire.com) - High-flying graduates are being offered the opportunity to undertake a fully funded Masters Degree, thanks to award-winning IT graduate employer FDM Group.

Recently voted 'Best Technical Graduate Recruiter' at the National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2010, FDM Group launches a new MSc in Applied Computer Science, which will help students looking for fast-track career progression as IT professionals. Graduates can begin applying now and the Group aim to recruit 1000 in 2011 as the UK's largest IT graduate employer.

The FDM Master Class Programme enables FDM to continue recruiting some of the best graduates across the globe. Delivered in partnership with the University of Brighton, FDM is committed to tackling the IT skills shortage by providing the essential combination of postgraduate training and commercial expertise with some of the largest financial, media, retail and telecom companies in the world.

Contrary to recent news regarding IT graduate unemployment and potentially rising tuition fees, FDM offer the MSc free of charge to successful candidates, enabling the company to continue taking on top-quality individuals across the country.

FDM aim to recruit 1000 graduates onto its Academy Programme in 2011 and a number of these will be selected to embark onto the Master Class Programme. This will be the first time the University of Brighton has joined forces with FDM to provide accredited learning and this will enhance the university's strong working relationship with the Group.

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."

FDM will host a press event on Wednesday January 12 2011 from 11:30 - 14:30 at 55 King William Street, London, to celebrate the launch.

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