The University of Salford is launching blended learning post-graduate programmes in business and leadership.

The joint venture with Skillsoft will enable students and key employees to study for an MBA or MSc in Strategic Leadership via the Internet.

Initially, 60 students are to be enrolled on the programme, which starts this autumn, but Salford hopes the number will be more than 1,000 in years to come.

It will utilise the “Desktop Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)”, a downloadable application that can run on any typical MS Windows-based laptop or desktop computer.

Dr John Rae, a member of the Salford team, said: “This is anytime, anywhere learning for those on the move, or for the small- or medium-sized enterprises that can’t afford to manage a corporate VLE."