Wigan & Leigh College rated best in Greater Manchester in National FE College rankings
Wigan & Leigh College has been ranked joint 7th in the overall college league table.
Welcome to Wigan & Leigh College
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
- Further Education College of the Year - Educate North Awards 2018
- Highest Student Satisfaction in Greater Manchester (FE Choices Survey)
- Silver Award for the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
creating outstanding futures at our Centres of Excellence
The engineering sector reports evidence of skills shortages for employers in key UK engineering sectors including aerospace, telecoms, rail, power, nuclear, chemical, civil and defence.
Wigan & Leigh College has a long-standing history and reputation for providing excellence in engineering and manufacturing and is committed to training highly skilled engineers of the future.
The College specialises in intelligent engineering including mechatronics, robotics, automation and autonomous vehicles, as well as the development and evolution of hybrid technologies.
Our established Centre of Excellence has been raising aspirations in Creative Arts through outstanding teaching and state of the art facilities. We offer a wide range of courses up to degree level for careers in Creative Direction & Design, Fine Art, Music, TV & Radio, Photography, Broadcasting, Education (Arts), Illustration, Journalism and PR (Public Relations).
The creative sector offers a diverse range of careers from illustrator, artist or graphic designer to jewellery designer, printer and photographer with an increased demand for those with new technology skills. Over 44% of those who work in creative roles are self-employed.
A junior graphic designer can expect to earn up to £19,000, with experience this may rise to £35,000. An experienced textile designer, Illustrator and jewellery designer could earn £28,000 on average.
Our established Centre of Excellence is focused on raising aspirations in Health & Social Care and delivers courses up to degree level including Apprenticeships for careers in Counselling, Medicine, Midwifery. Nursing, Paramedic and Social Work.
According to Health Education England, health workers are in high demand, in particular nurses, therapists, midwives and paramedics. The NHS needs to recruit 190,000 more staff by 2027 to meet the demands of a growing and ageing population.
Starting salaries for paramedics and nurses range from £22,000 to £29,000. With experience and seniority, salaries rise from £31,000 to £69,000.
Our Sporting Centre of Excellence, situated on Leigh Sports Village, delivers courses up to degree level for Careers in Sports Development, Sports Coaching, Teaching in Sport, Exercise and Fitness Instructing, Leisure Management Exercise, Health & Fitness.
Around 371,800 people work in the sport industry in 176,000 businesses throughout the UK. There are a wide range of careers as well as sporting professionals, including personal trainers, sports coaches and sports scientists.
The typical salary for senior coaches, employed by National Governing Bodies or professional sports clubs, ranges from £30,000 to £35,000. Exercise physiologists employed in the sports sector may earn between £18,000 and £35,000. And for those in high-profile sport science, salaries can exceed £60,000 and may reach up to £100,000.
HE Fashion Students Aim to Impress Matalan Designer
Fashion students studying at University Centre, Wigan & Leigh College are working on a project with retailer Matalan to design children’s nightwear.
Chair of Governors, Frank Costello steps down
Wigan & Leigh College Chair of Governors, Frank Costello has stepped down from his role due to retirement.
A cooking masterclass from former student Oliver
It was great to welcome back former Level 3 Advanced Professional Cookery student Oliver Mather, who put on a cooking masterclass for our current group.
Students Celebrate Success at Graduation
Students studying on degree level courses at the University Centre Wigan & Leigh College celebrated their achievements at the annual Higher Education Graduation ceremony.
Students meet Co-founder of The Warehouse Project
Students at Wigan & Leigh College had a unique and fantastic opportunity to meet Sacha Lord, Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester.
Student Achievements
Lorna Sowerbutts
Nuclear Technician Apprenticeship -
Sellafield Ltd
Lorna’s decision to become a degree apprentice means she can earn a salary and study at a higher level, without the burden of debt in the form of a student loan.
Student Achievements
Simone Wilson
Nuclear Technician Apprentice -
Sellafield
Simone wants to work her way up in the company and do a Masters and long term to become a CAD designer along with Project Management.
Student Achievements
Jack Reynolds
A Level Professional Honours Programme - Engineering Pathway -
Grades - A,A,A
Jack Reynolds studied on our A Level Professional Honours Programme Engineering pathway achieved A A A. He's secured a place at Lancaster University to study BSc (Hons) Natural Sciences.
Student Achievements
Jasmine McGunigle
Finance Apprentice -
NHS Wigan Borough Clinical Commissioning Group
“I’m really enjoying my apprenticeship and I am currently studying AAT. I attend College once a week and work four days a week...
Student Achievements
Braden Butler
Level 3 Extended Diploma Electrical & Electronic Engineering -
Degree Apprenticeship at National Nuclear Laboratory
Braden enjoyed studying full time at the College and has successfully completed his Level 3 Extended Diploma Electrical & Electronic Engineering achieving Distinction* | Distinction* | Distinction*.
Student Achievements
Chloe Bilsbury
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Applied Science -
Distinction* Distinction* Distinction*
Former Fred Longworth High School pupil completed her BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Applied Science with outstanding grades and is continuing her studies at University Centre Wigan & Leigh College.
Student Achievements
Hollie Barrett
Level 4 ICT Apprentice -
Utiligroup
Hollie is doing her Level 4 ITC apprenticeship at Ulitigroup in Chorley. She is in a varied role working on software installation and service desk support providing help to staff and customers.
Student Achievements
Jack Knott
A-Level Professional Honours Programme -
Applied Medical Pathway
Jack Knott, a former Albany Academy pupil has achieved some amazing results in his A-Levels - Applied Medical Pathway and has secured a place at The University of Salford.
