A European management college with a branch in Oxford can now award a British master's degree, validated by City University, London.

ESCP-EAP European Management College students will now be awarded a European MSc in Management.

Masters students spend a year in three European countries from a choice of four.

The college aims to produce managers with sound knowledge of business management who have developed experience working in different countries and learning with people from different cultural backgrounds.

ESCP-EAP's dean, Prof Jean-Louis Scaringella, said: "City's validation is historical. For the first time three national educational authorities are validating an integrated, cross-border programme in Europe.

"This signals the willingness of national validating authorities to recognise the value of education in different countries, without setting additional requirements.

"It is a major step forward - a pioneering contribution to a genuinely European model of higher education."

City's vice chancellor, Prof David Rhind, said: "This is an opportunity to intensify our involvement in cross-border management education."