Wigan & Leigh College has been providing high-quality education and training locally for over 150 years. It is the only General Further Education College in the towns of Wigan and Leigh, serving a population of approximately 301,000. The College aims to be inclusive and we are proud of the equality of opportunity which is demonstrated in the breadth and scope of our provision. Over 14,000 people choose to study at the College, their needs being at the heart of everything we provide.

The College operates from a number of sites across the borough of Wigan. Parson’s Walk, School for the Arts and Pagefield are located in Wigan, close to the town centre. The Image Centre and Sixth Form Centre are close to the town centre of Leigh. 

There are courses for full-time and part-time students, both school leavers and adults. These are mostly delivered at the main College sites, but there are many classes in local schools and other venues. Through partnership arrangements, pupils from local High Schools can also study at the College. Our Management Centres provide training and other services for businesses and individuals.

To promote equality of opportunity, the College has developed a wide choice of qualifications at all levels from Entry level through to professional and post-graduate courses. Further Education students can choose GCSEs, AS and A levels, First Diplomas, National Diplomas and NVQs, as well as a wide range of specialist courses. There is also an expanding Higher Education portfolio of Foundation Degrees, Higher National Diplomas and Certificates for the benefit of adult students of all ages, both full-time and part-time.

The complement of approximately 1,200 staff allows the College to draw upon a rich fund of professional expertise to satisfy the demands made by the diversity of its provision. Extensive facilities and resources are at the disposal of all students to help them make the most of their studies. These include learning resources technology centres and libraries, laboratories, workshops, lecture theatres, art, photographic and music studios as well as a travel agency, training restaurant, gym and sports hall, hairdressing and beauty therapy salons and administration training centres.

The College is committed to a supportive approach where students come first and where each individual’s needs are considered.