WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSITY CENTRE WIGAN & LEIGH COLLEGE
With 70 years of expertise delivering vocational higher education the University Centre Wigan & Leigh College is the first choice partner to secure your career success and for the skills development of the future workforce.
For careers and sector expertise in Business, Professional & Technology, Creative Arts & New Media, Construction & Engineering and Health & Social Care, Sport & Education.
Degrees, Foundation Degrees and Teaching qualifications are awarded by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and the Higher National (HND and HNC) courses in partnership with Pearson Edexcel.
Students studying on programmes awarded by UCLan can also access a range of the University's resources and facilities.
Our University Centre programmes develop qualities in students which are sought after in industry, from employability and problem solving skills to communication and team working. We pride ourselves in providing quality learning opportunities to equip the workforce for the future with the skills, knowledge and opportunities to establish a successful career in their chosen profession.
WHY CHOOSE THE UNIVERSITY CENTRE WIGAN & LEIGH COLLEGE?
- We have been delivering high quality higher education courses for over 70 years
- We are the only College in the borough with University Centre status
- Graduate with degree awarded by UCLan or a Pearson qualification
- Your career is our focus whether progressing or to starting your career we support you to achieve your goals
- Studying around work, family and other commitments won't be a problem, many courses are offered both full and part-time
- Smaller class sizes mean more contact time and a higher level of support one-to-one
- Our expert tutors’ industry knowledge sets them apart, they teach from experience
- Our fees are extremely competitive and by studying locally you could save thousands on accommodation costs.
LEVELS OF STUDY
| Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) - Level 7 | The PGCE programme is a teacher training course for graduates. It aims to develop students thinking skills and research techniques alongside teaching skills enabling graduates to establish a career in the education sector. |
| Top-Up Honours Degree - Level 6 | These are full honours degree courses enabling those who have succesfully completed a Foundation Degree programme or Higher National Diploma to gain a full Honours Degree in one further year of study (subject to the relevant criteria). |
| Degree Apprenticeships | Degree Apprenticeships are a brand new government led initiative that enable students to incorporate a university degree award alongside apprenticeship training in the workplace. Students will gain a full degree whilst at the College and earn a wage and gain experience within their chosen sector. |
| Foundation Degree - Level 5 | Our Foundation Degrees have been designed in partnership with employers. It is a university validated award taht can be obtained after two-years of full-time study or three-years part-time study. Foundation Degrees provides students with the opportunity to progress onto a Top-up Honours Degree programme or into employment. |
| Higher National Diploma (HND) - Level 5 | These full and part-time courses are designed with employers in mind. Students develop a range of transferable skills through projects, assignments and practical work. Students successfully completing a relevant HND are able to progress onto a relevant Top-up Honours Degree at the College or at a university across England (subject to relevant entry criteria). |
| Certificate in Education - Level 5 | The Certificate in Education provides students with the skills and knowledge to teach in post 16 education. The qualification is worth 120 credits and can be topped up a degree. |
| Higher National Certificate (HNC) - Level 4 | The Higher National Certificate is ideal for those who are in employment and wish to study part-time whilst developing higher level academic vocational skills. |
| Higher Apprenticeships - Level 4 to 5 | A Higher Apprenticeships is a work-based pathway which provides undergraduates with a higher level qualification up to level 5 and industry experience. |
| Foundation Entry Degrees | The programmes are designed to enable students to gain formal qualifications to enrol onto a Higher Education programme. The programmes provide students with a pathway into University Study at the University Centre. |
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
Our alumni are successful and go on to their chosen career or further study after graduating, read some of their successes and achievements here...
Lorna competed her Level 5 course and has now progressed her career.
David now works as an Associate Quality Assurance Manager at PlayStation Studios QA where he has worked on the development of several PlayStation 5 games after gaining further knowledge from his HNC and HND Computing course.
Ashley completed her HNC with a distinction and now works for BAM Nuttall Construction as an Intermediate Quantity Surveyor.
Plumbing Lecturer, Stewart Boyle, completed his Certificate in Education in 2021 and is now a well-established member of our teaching staff.
Abbey is blazing a trail for females in engineering.
Tom has seen his early career in the construction industry blossom.
Kathleen has graduated from the Foundation Degree Health & Social Care.
While working for Warren James jewellers, Lauren did her teacher training and was presented with the opportunity to train new staff in London.
What is University Centre Status?
The recognised body for Wigan & Leigh College University Centre is The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). This means that Wigan deliver the teaching and learning to support you in achieving your degree and that your award is from UCLan. Colleges can’t award degrees themselves but they can deliver them with the support of an awarding partner.
What are the benefits of studying at the University Centre?
Studying a degree at The University Centre Wigan & Leigh College means;
- Studying around work, family and other commitments won't be a problem, all of our full time courses are condensed timetables and many are offered part-time
- Smaller class sizes mean more contact time and a higher level of support one-to-one
- Our expert tutors’ industry knowledge sets them apart, they teach from experience
- Our fees are extremely competitive and by studying locally you could save thousands on accommodation costs.
- The average salary earned by College leavers was £23,000 (Destinations Interim DLHE Study)
- Every student is provided with a financial package to support with your studies
Who are Pearson and what is their role in HNCs/HNDs?
Pearson is the
UK's largest awarding body and we are regulated by Ofqual (England). They offer
academic and vocational qualifications that are globally recognised and
benchmarked, with educational excellence rooted in names like Edexcel and BTEC.
Vocational
qualifications include Edexcel NVQ and BTEC from entry level to Higher National
Diplomas. BTECs are recognised in more than 70 countries worldwide.
Available in
over 40 subjects, BTEC Higher Nationals are an ideal choice for learners
seeking a cost-effective and relevant route to their first degree or
employment.
BTEC Higher Nationals provide specialist work-related learning, reflecting the requirements of employers and professional organisations and meeting the National Occupational Standards for each sector or industry.
What are Degree and Higher Apprenticeships?
Higher and
Degree Apprenticeships provide a skills focussed alternative to degree study.
On-the-job training alongside higher-level study will kick-start your career
and long term employability.
Higher Apprenticeships are Level 4, 5, 6, 7 Foundation degree and
above
Degree Apprenticeships are Level
6, 7 Bachelor’s or master’s degree
How you benefit;
- Earn a full-time wage with a reputable employer
- Gain valuable industry experience and fast-track your career, most of your time is spent in the workplace
- Achieve higher level qualifications without the costs/loans (course fees are paid by the Government and your employer)
- Professional body membership for your industry is often built-in
- Graduate with a degree awarded by UCLan