UNIVERSITY Campus Suffolk welcomed its first official students today as the first nursing and midwifery undergraduates signed in.The first to arrive was west Suffolk student Mark Hall who is starting a three-year hospital nursing course split between the Ipswich campus and the West Suffolk Hospital.

UNIVERSITY Campus Suffolk welcomed its first official students today as the first nursing and midwifery undergraduates signed in.

The first to arrive was west Suffolk student Mark Hall who is starting a three-year hospital nursing course split between the Ipswich campus and the West Suffolk Hospital.

UCS has a close relationship with the NHS which is sponsoring many of its courses and paying the tuition fees of many students.

Mr Hall, 27, said the fact that the course was being offered so near his home was crucial.

He said: “I have spent many years travelling and doing various different things. Now it is time to work on a career.

“I am studying for a three-year-diploma and this course is ideally tailored for what I need.”

He was met by executive dean Dorothy Kennerley and Richard Lister, director of planning and resources who is masterminding the creation of the new university.

For the next year UCS will be sharing accommodation with the New Suffolk College - but the shiny new headquarters building is taking shape just a couple of hundred metres away on the Waterfront.

That is due to open this time next year, and already the building is emerging above the hoardings.

Mr Lister said: “This is a very exciting day for everyone connected with UCS. The start of a new academic year is always exciting, but when it is also the start of a new university it is much more so.

“Most of the students will be starting later this month, but those who are doing health-linked courses are starting today.”

Some students are transferring from courses started at Suffolk College, while some are starting their course in the brand new institution.

One of those who are transferring is 37-year-old Steve Ransom from Trimley St Mary who is starting a one-year teacher training course after completing a three-year English course at Suffolk College.

He said: “It is vital for me that UCS is here. I am settled with my family in Trimley and could not travel somewhere else to study. I've retrained after 12 years in the insurance industry and it is very interesting to see the number of people who have done the same thing.”