Wigan & Leigh College has been leading the way since 1857 in providing you with quality education and training.This has been achieved through exceptional teaching, support and guidance over an extensive range of academic, technical, vocational and apprenticeship courses.
We provide a wide range of courses and offer excellent progression routes preparing you for your future career.
“We believe that outstanding futures are created at Wigan & Leigh College"
Anna Dawe | Principal
As a centre of technical educational excellence, we are committed to raising learning aspirations and helping our community thrive socially and economically.
We have had significant investment in specialist facilities including:
Hydraulic and Pneumatic Lab, Fluids Engineering Lab, Electronic Testing Lab, Robotics Labs, Industrial Control Lab, Food Manufacturing Facilities, Additive Manufacturing Lab, Smart Manufacturing Lab.
We have gained IET accreditation on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer, and partly meeting the academic requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
We also unveiled our new Skills Academy, which is in response to a larger school leaver demographic and a significant rise in the number of students wanting to undertake technical education.
The college is the lead further education partner in the new Greater Manchester Institute of Technology (GMIoT), a government-backed initiative providing high quality level 4 and 5 technical qualifications, through a network of partnerships with education and employers.
The GMIoT is for school and college leavers who might be considering a career in STEM.
Our courses are tailored in a way that places hands-on skills and practical experience over traditional exams. Our curriculum is designed to cultivate your creativity. What’s more, you’ll gain a taste of industry knowledge by working on live industry projects with leading companies, attending specialist masterclasses, and forging employer links with businesses and charities.
As the largest provider of creative and performing arts courses in the borough, you’ll have access to top-notch facilities that will enhance your learning.
Amongst resources such as a photography studio and darkroom, AV editing suites, 3D, art, ceramic, fashion & graphics studios and a theatrical media makeup room, we have also invested in a new theatre.
Dancers have access to two purpose built sprung floor studios and music students are working in new soundproofed recording studios, practical classrooms and rehearsal spaces. Multi-media suites, a TV studio with a green screen and a new radio studio add to the very latest learning technology.
By studying with us, you’ll create work that you’re proud of, and in most cases, work that meets professional standards.
We offer training for future health and care workers to meet the skills gaps within the borough, and in line with national shortages.
Our courses are designed for what the health and social care job market wants now and in the future – responding to the shortages and workforce agenda in this sector.
We have some of the best healthcare teaching facilities in the region including an immersive teaching environment (CAVE), Assisted Technologies and Manual Handling Suite, Clinical Skills Wards, Anatomage table, and wellbeing rooms at Leigh Adult Learning Centre.
We’re about more than giving you great skills, we pride ourselves in nurturing the whole person, so they’re truly prepared for what a career in health and social care means – whether that’s through specialist nursing pathways, competitions, masterclasses by industry professionals or work placement opportunities.
Being only one of eight Sport & Leadership Academies in the North West, we prioritise both your happiness and your success.
From day one, you will be introduced to our tutors and coaches who will play a key part in your college experience.
Beyond the classroom, you will have the opportunity to participate in competitive events and networking opportunities that will take your CV to the next level.
We offer specialised coaching, leadership and officiating qualifications, and we have sporting academies in Football, Rugby and Sports Leadership.
We have links with higher educational institutions such as Edge Hill University. Our connections with companies locally, nationally and internationally can also provide you with many exciting opportunities.
Located within Leigh Sports Village, which is a site for elite athletes who play for the likes of Manchester United Women’s team and the Men’s U21s as well as the Leigh Leopards Rugby League team, you will have access to the latest fitness facilities.
We are proud of our Sports Leadership Academy and the work our students do with local schools. As a result, we have achieved the School Mark Games Gold Award for two years running.
Ann has served on the college’s Governing Board since 2011 during which time she has led a variety of governance committees, most notably overseeing the audit and curriculum function of the college.
Rhianna met Deborah Wright on the Access to Higher Education Diploma - Health course at Wigan & Leigh College and became good friends.
Luke Johnson is now Head Chef at 5* restaurant with rooms, Quite Simply French.
Our Sports Lecturer, Katie Chapman has been accepted on to the WorldSkills UK Endorsed Trainer Programme.
Our A level and T level students have delivered yet another outstanding and record-breaking set of results.
Chris Kennedy swapped careers from working on a building site to a care role in children’s homes, and now he’s leading the Step Into Residential Children’s Care course at Wigan & Leigh College.
Find out about apprenticeship opportunities and careers within these sectors.
This is ideal for school leavers and current 16-18 students seeking an apprenticeship.
Come along to our Open Evening to see the range of courses we offer for school leavers.
