Students successfully completing their studies at the new Medway UTC which opens in September will automatically get an interview and conditional offer of a place at the University of Greenwich.

The pledge comes from Prof Simeon Keates, university deputy vice chancellor, after a meeting with University Technical College principal Dr Karon Buck.

A national survey among about 850 students who attend university technical colleges also revealed that nine out of 10 feel confident in their ability to succeed in work.

The university, which has a campus in Medway, is the lead educational supporter of the college built at the multi-million pound regeneration site at Chatham Waters.

Prof Keates said: “Our close proximity means that together we can forge a tightly integrated team and offer support across the curriculum, including access to our purpose-built labs.

“We are also pleased to guarantee an interview and conditional offer for a place at the Medway campus to study engineering or science programmes to all Medway UTC students who complete their studies successfully.

“We are very excited to think some of our new students will be at the university in five years time.”

Of those already at a UTC, 86% are sure they will get a job which suits their skills when they leave education.

The latest figures were released by the Baker Dearing Educational Trust.

Hundreds of Year 10 and Year 12 have enrolled at the Medway school, which will specialise in teaching engineering and construction skills.

When comparing their UTC to their previous school, UTCs came out top in all aspects. The difference was most stark when comparing links to businesses (85% said they were better) and specialist equipment (86% said it was better).

Medway UTC is sponsored and supported by the University of Greenwich, MidKent College, BAE systems, the Royal School of Military Engineering and Delphi Diesel Systems in Gillingham.