John Stephens, dean of school at the LCP, said the degrees would be vocational, and would link up with the industry to offer placements at companies.

The current HND in printing and publishing will be one of the first to become a foundation degree. Online versions will be available for distance learning.

"I think the government is extremely committed to ensuring that vocational courses arent seen as a second-class education," said Stephens.

Visit: www.lcp.linst.ac.uk.