A NEW university technical college opening in Surrey aims to encourage more women to choose careers tackling cyber crime.

University Technical College Guildford – Surrey’s first UTC – will train the next generation of cyber security, computing and engineering experts to help meet growing demand from employers.

With women significantly under-represented in computer science and engineering, the college plans to set aside up to 50 per cent of places for girls. All girls who apply and qualify for a place will be accepted until half the college’s intake has been filled.

The college is set to open for 720 students aged 14 to 19 in September 2018, and will specialise in engineering and computer science.

The group behind the college includes Surrey County Council, global information technology and business services company CGI, and Royal Holloway University of London as well as Guildford College and Guildford Education Partnership.