News: How is College different to school?

From being on first name terms with your teachers to not having to wear a uniform, College is a much more mature environment where you will be learning alongside students with similar interests. Some of our courses do have a dress code, for example our catering, hair and beauty courses – but this is to replicate a professional working environment, especially as you’ll be working with real clients and customers as part of your studies.

Don’t just take our word for it! Hear what our students have to say about their college experience!

From construction workshops and art and design studios to a 200-seater theatre, commercial training restaurant and salons to a mock airline cabin and state-of-the-art classrooms, our facilities are designed to give you hands-on, practical experience. Plus, our amazing social and study spaces mean there’s lots of room to catch up on studying outside of lessons and meet up with your new friends.

Take a look at some of our campuses:

College is a much more mature environment to school where you are treated like an adult and given more freedom. No bells for lessons mean you have more responsibility to take control of your own time management. Speaking of time, you will get a lot more of it to yourself too! On average you will be timetabled to 16 hours week – we do encourage you to study and stay on top of your classwork outside of your timetabled hours though, so do bear this in mind before taking on other commitments such as part-time work.

One of the great things about coming to college is that you’re surrounded by fellow students who have all chosen to be here and who all have similar interests to you. Forget about all those subjects you didn’t enjoy at school, this is the first time you’ve got the complete freedom to choose what you want to study. Did you know we have the widest range of study options for school leavers in the region? So, whatever your career aspirations or interests, we are bound to have something to suit you!

(If you don’t pass your GCSE Maths or English whilst at school you will have to study these again alongside your college course. Make sure to check the entry requirements for your chosen course when you apply and if you have any questions, get in touch).

We have lots of extra-curricular activities on offer that are the perfect opportunity to try something new, have some fun and get to know students from across the college. Whether you want to try a new sport, take part in trips, or join a club or society, our Wellbeing Team run an extensive programme of activities. You can even become a Student Rep if you want a bit more responsibility or the opportunity to enhance your CV.