Speaking exclusively to the Daily Post, Dr Wendy Bignold, Hope’s Vice Dean of Education, who has helped oversee the project, said Tibetan students could be picking up qualifications awarded by her university within two years.

Whether students attend a graduation ceremony at Hope’s Childwall campus or in Bangalore has not been finalised.

“It is a real honour to have been asked to assist the Dalai Lama and it is an indication of the strong links and lengthy relationship we have with the Tibetan community in exile.

“Our students will benefit an awful lot too. In England we can be obsessed with the National Curriculum so it will be good for them to see and learn about other systems of education.”

The deal will see Tibetans spend two- thirds of their time in Liverpool, but, to ensure they immerse themselves in their own culture and practices, students will complete the course, including assessed work placements, back in Bangalore.

“It is important they are assessed there as it would be no good simply going into a school in Fazakerley as they will not have the same curriculum or context,” Dr Bignold added.