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The Edge Hotel School offers a very different experience of hospitality education. In partnership with the University of Essex and Kaplan, the Edge Hotel School offers degree courses, accredited by the University of Essex, within a commercial hotel environment.

What is it?

The Edge Hotel School will be based at Wivenhoe House, a grade 2* listed hotel building sited on the University of Essex's Colchester campus. The Edge Hotel School will offer world class education and training to the future leaders of the hospitality industry based in a sustainable commercial hotel.

What makes the Edge Hotel School different?

The Edge Hotel School will be a unique establishment in the UK. Students of the Edge Hotel School will learn by doing as the basis of their degree qualifications whilst also learning the all important people skills essential for success in the hospitality industry. Students, operating in Butler Teams, will experience for real all aspects of the operation of a commercial hotel guided by industry experienced professional practitioners. Students will leave the Edge Hotel School after 2 years with a fast track degree qualification in hospitality or culinary management plus the skills to be "work ready" for the industry.

The Edge Hotel School is a partnership between Edge and the University of Essex and Kaplan Open Learning. The initiative is widely supported by the hospitality industry who have been involved in the development of the curriculum.

When will it be open?

The grade 2* listed building at Wivenhoe House will be undergoing an extensive refurbishment to provide 16 period suites and a signature restaurant. An additional 24 bedrooms will be provided by a new Garden Wing which will also house a bar and brasserie together with wedding and conference facilities. Construction work started in March 2011 and the hotel will be open to guests in the spring of 2012. The first student cohort will be recruited to be in place by early 2012.