QINETIQ in Malvern is linking up with Oxford University to develop information technology education programmes.

The Trusted Information Management division will create the courses jointly with the university's Software Engineering Centre.

The move is in response to increasing demand from government and business for high-level IT training

Christine Cambridge, director of education for the Trusted Information Management division, said: "Partnering with Oxford University and drawing on its academic and research excellence will help us keep at the forefront of education delivery for companies, government departments and organisations."

Dr Andrew Martin, of Oxford University, said: "Our reputation for research in the application of ideas from mathematics to software development is the basis of our activity and is often informed by the interactions with our commercial students.

"This collaboration with QinetiQ, which has a research background and commercial focus, will assist that broad process and help us to expand our focus to include some security topics which will repay research."

QinetiQ has also signed a deal with information security firm Easyi to develop online education programmes.