A ground breaking joint venture between South Glamorgan's Health Authority and Institute of Higher Education will bear fruit next year when the first students enrol for a new part time post registration degree course in nursing studies. The four-year course will be split into two equal sections, diploma and degree, and will be open to any first level registered nurse. Nurses who have already obtained their diploma will be able to opt in for the degree course only and there are plans to introduce access courses for applicants with the old London University Diploma so they too can qualify.