BOLTON'S newest school will open in September oversubscribed.

UTC Bolton is said to be the first university technical college to open with more pupils than planned at its modern £10 million campus.

The school, for 14-19-year-olds, was expected to open with an initial intake of 240 but it has received 380 applicants, with more still be received.

Currently, about 260 young people have signed up to become the first pupils to start at UTC Bolton in the new academic year.

The Department for Education has agreed to give extra funding to accommodate the extra pupils above the expected 240.

The school has been built on the main campus of the University of Bolton which won Government approval for the project in 2014.

Universtiy technical colleges (UTCs) are a new concept in education for 14 to 19 year olds bringing together practical, technical and academic learning with a "specialist industry focus".

Bolton UTC will specialise in health sciences and engineering technologies — described as areas of skill shortage both locally and nationally.

Employers will mentor and guide students through master classes, technical support and company visits as well as providing facilities, placements and internships with "industry real" experience.

UTC Bolton provides each student with 50 days of work experience on practical projects with university partners and employers.

Zubair Hanslot, chief executive of the UTC and Provost of the University said: “We believe we are the first UTC to be so oversubscribed for its opening and the Ofsted approval without any conditions shows the quality of offer being developed by the university."

The University of Bolton has announced that high achieving students at the UTC who progress to degree courses at the university will be considered for free tuition up to the entire three or four year course — a saving of up to £9,000 a year.