Swansea College

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Swansea College
Swansea College Logo
Swansea College Logo
Established:
Type: Further Education College
Principal: Jeff Gunningham
Staff: 1,000
Students: 15,000
Location: Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales
Website: http://www.swancoll.ac.uk/


Swansea College is a further education college in Swansea. It is one of the largest further education colleges in Wales with over 15,000 students and employing approximately 1,000 staff.

Swansea College provides preparation for a number of qualifications, including GCSEs, the IB Diploma Programme, A-levels and HNDs, as well as a number of vocational courses leading to BTEC First and National Diplomas, NVQs and other similar qualifications. It also runs EFL programmes for non-native speakers of English.

Contents

[edit] Mission Statement

The College’s mission statement is: "We will provide high quality, relevant provision for all our learners."

[edit] Campus and Catchment Area

Students in the Common Room, by the Students' Union office.
Students in the Common Room, by the Students' Union office.

The College operates on several different sites in Swansea.

  • Tycoch Campus – Sketty - Main site of the College, provides A level, IB and all Vocational Courses ranging from NVQs to BTEC awards.
  • Llwyn-Y-Bryn – Uplands - Site for visual and performing arts.
  • Kingsway Centre – city centre
  • Business College- Llansamlet
  • Several other sites, including Sketty Hall and local schools, are used for courses.

The College predominantly recruits from local schools such as Birchgrove, Bishopston, Cefn Hengoed, Daniel James, Dylan Thomas and Pentrehafod. The College attracts students from the City and County of Swansea, the adjacent local authorities of Carmarthenshire and Neath Port Talbot, and internationally.

[edit] Faculties and Services

Biology students practising microscopy.
Biology students practising microscopy.

[edit] A Level and The Arts

The faculty is split into two areas, a specially designed 'B Floor' at the College's Tycoch campus, and purpose-built Arts, Media and Performance suites at Llwyn y Bryn. The faculty provides preparation for a number of qualifications, including A-levels, the IB and HNDs, as well as a number of vocational courses leading to BTEC First and National Diplomas, NVQs and other similar qualifications.

[edit] Sport, Lifestyle and Business

These subjects are extremely popular and plenty of extra curricular opportunities are offered, including work experience, educational visits, visiting speakers and entrepreneurship guidance. Courses are designed to provide the student with the knowledge and skills to progress into employment or Higher Education in sport, leisure, tourism, business, hospitality or public services.

The faculty also houses the well known Centre for Sporting Development which is dedicated to the physical, personal and intellectual development of student athletes.

[edit] Engineering, IT and Technology

These courses are designed to provide students with a choice of routes into a range of disciplines for either Higher Education or employment. They will give the student a chance to develop the skills, knowledge and understanding that underpin the creation of Engineering and IT systems and services.

The faculty boasts fully equipped workrooms as well as specialist computer software.

Student built websites include:

http://www.laugharne.info

http://www.childcompassion.co.uk

http://www.carmarthenspinners.co.uk

some coursework websites may be viewed at http://www.btecnatdip.co.uk

[edit] Social and Vocational Studies

Having achieved the recognition as a Welsh Centre of Excellence for its Care courses, the faculty is cutting-edge when it comes to knowledge and expertise.

If the student chooses to study Hairdressing, Beauty or Complementary Therapy, he or she can experience a real life salon environment at either its Broadway or Cefn Hengoed Centre. If health and social care takes the student's fancy, then courses will enable the student to gain a sound understanding of the health and well-being mix. Work experience is an integral part of the courses, giving the student the chance to see a range of vocational settings and develop practical caring skills.

[edit] Community Operations

Community Operations work closely with partner organisations in Swansea to help to coordinate basic skills and adult community courses throughout the city. Opportunities are on offer to help people improve their employability by encouraging confidence and developing skills for life.

The college has a varied and interesting list of courses to suit all ages and abilities.

[edit] Training for Business

The Business College is the commercial arm of Swansea College, providing up to the minute training solutions for business and industry. Many programmes carry national accreditation, others are bespoke, tailored to the student's particular needs.

[edit] Work Based Learning

Swansea College offers Modern Apprenticeships throughout the year. There are different levels of apprenticeships available, and on successful completion students are awarded with a nationally recognised Modern Apprenticeship framework.

Levels include: Foundation Modern Apprentice (NVQ Level 2) Advanced Modern Apprentice (NVQ Level 3/4) Modern Skills Diploma (NVQ Level 4/5)

Modern Apprenticeships are aimed at school leavers and offer employment combined with the opportunity to gain essential skills.

[edit] Results and Awards

In 2006 the College’s pass rates were:-

[edit] Level 3 Courses

  • 97% on A Level Courses.
  • 88% on National Diploma Courses.
  • 80% on National Certificate Courses.
  • 90% on NVQ Level 3 programmes.

The International Baccalaureate maintained its 100 % record of ensuring that every student who completed the course secured a place at university.

[edit] Level 2 Courses

  • 85% at GCSE.
  • 91% at First Diploma level.
  • 91% on NVQ Level 2 programmes.

[edit] Others

  • 95% on Level One GNVQ Foundation Courses.
  • 92% on Introductory Courses.

[edit] Awards

The College won the LSDA Beacon Award (for Staff Development in ILT) in 1999-2000.

[edit] External links