However, it was closed in 2003,[1] leaving the city as one of the largest urban areas in the country without a dedicated provision of higher education.

In 2006, the two institutions began talks on developing a new university campus for the city and created a new joint venture company in 2007.

[2][3][4] The joint venture company, limited by guarantee, was managed by an equal number of directors from both partner institutions who were responsible for the academic and operational running of the new centre.

[8] However, the joint venture was dissolved in 2020, and University Centre Peterborough became a wholly owned subsidiary of Inspire Education Group.

The centre also offers a number of post-graduate courses, as well as qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.