Stockport College

All our degrees are validated by world-class local universities; Manchester Metropolitan University, Liverpool John Moores University, University of Central Lancashire and the University of Chester, so coming to Stockport College is like having four universities under one roof, but the experience you’ll get is unique.

All our courses have a strong vocational or professional emphasis where your experience is valued and, because we keep our class sizes smaller than most universities, your voice will be heard. We have excellent links with employers ensuring that our courses are up to date with industry to give you the skills and knowledge you will need in the workplace or if you go on to further study.

We recognise that quality and value go hand in hand in today’s world, so we are especially proud of being recognised as a model of good practice for the quality and standards of higher education and teaching we offer by the Quality Assurance Agency. Our fees are priced competitively and we offer scholarships and other support to give value for money.

So our message is simple, at Stockport College you will enjoy all the benefits of a quality higher education level course with the financial and academic support that will ensure your success.

HE Experience at Stockport College

With more than 50 years’ experience delivering higher education, Stockport College continues to offer a unique student experience with exceptional support from highly qualified professionals who are dedicated to helping you reach your full potential. Our teaching staff are highly qualified and have many years’ experience of supporting students through their courses.

We are a close knit community, where you will not feel lost or just one of the crowd. All our degree courses are validated by highly respected local universities and are complemented by a wide range of BTEC Higher National Certificates and Diplomas and professional qualifications. You can begin at the level that suits you and work up to a full university level qualification in a range of subjects, all within one institution.

The aim of Stockport College is to provide students with an HE experience different from that found in a university setting. Typically, group sizes are smaller, enabling tutors to build relationships with students and to offer more support or to direct learners to the various support systems available in the College.

Courses start earlier in the year than typical University programmes and students generally receive more hours teaching per week. While this provides a very supportive environment, the College is aware of the need to progressively reduce the dependence on tutors that many learners have in their first year, with programmes designed to build independent learning skills and increase progressively student autonomy over your time at the College.

The teaching staff are highly qualified, very professional and here to help you to succeed. The support services are excellent and facilities are the very best. Courses are available either full- time or part-time allowing you to build your study into a busy life.

Strategic Plan

The Higher Education Strategic Plan builds on and incorporates the College’s Strategic Ambitions Plan, communicating the College’s vision ”Inspiring you to achieve your potential”, through its Core Values: we respect all individuals, we work together, we act with integrity and we are committed to supporting our students and to working in partnership with employers.

HE Environment

The College has developed a separate HE environment in terms of buildings and learning environments (including virtual learning environments). A high proportion of HE is delivered in the University Centre enabling students on Education, Early Years, Business, Engineering, Forensic Science and Computing courses to interact naturally.

A newly established laboratory / test rig area for engineering and construction students has been completed in the Joan Bakewell Building and the School of Arts Design and Media are moving to a new bespoke area of the College.

The HE Common Rooms combine social areas and a working space, providing useful areas for HE students. Bespoke HE Study areas adjacent to the College’s Library and within the University Centre allow HE students to work individually or in groups.

A major part of the College’s property strategy is to continue to develop the University Centre, possibly in another location on the Town Centre Campus. The designated Centre will be for the delivery of a higher proportion of HE, with specialist HE areas requiring specific resources shared with other provision located elsewhere. This strategy is designed to ensure that students who may have progressed from FE in the College enjoy a different experience when they progress to HE.

Employability Skills

Stockport College courses have a strong vocational or professional emphasis where your experience is valued, and because we keep our class sizes smaller than most universities, your voice will be heard.

We know you are ambitious so you will be pleased to know The University Centre’s links with local industry and other organisations are excellent, you can be sure that courses are up to date with industry and give you the skills and knowledge you will need in the workplace or if you go on to further study.

Course Costs

Our tuition fees are lower than most universities. Our generous bursaries, scholarships and other means of financial support make Stockport College a very attractive proposition.