A degree course that allows individuals to combine business operations and management studies with hands-on experience in a work environment is being introduced across the country.

The so-called 'McDegree' was originally formed in a partnership between fast-food giant McDonalds and Manchester Metropolitan University, the Manchester Evening News reports.

While staff are not directly taught by university lecturers, the course has been given foundation degree level status and is being advertised in the businesses education prospectus that it produces for it 37,000 workers.

Following a pilot group of ten restaurant managers, employees across the country will now be able to enrol on the course.

"Our full range of education programmes increases productivity, efficiency, and staff confidence and staff turnover is now lower than it’s ever been," David Fairhurst from McDonald's told the newspaper.

Last month, Craig Abrahart, operating director at notgoingtouni.co.uk, observed that over 100 employers now offer foundation degree courses to their employees and offer individuals a good way to gain practical experience alongside academic qualifications.

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