Swansea College

Swansea College was a further education college in Swansea. It was one of the largest further education colleges in Wales[1] with over 15,000 students and employing approximately 1,000 staff. Swansea College merged with Gorseinon College on 20 August 2010 to create a single sixth form and further education college for the Swansea area called Gower College Swansea.

Not to be confused with Swansea Metropolitan University or Swansea University.

Swansea College
Swansea College Logo
TypeFurther Education College
PrincipalJeff Gunningham
Administrative staff
1,000
Students15,000
Address
Tycoch Road
Swansea SA2 9EB
,
Swansea
,
West Glamorgan
,
Wales
Websitewww.swancoll.ac.uk

Swansea College provided 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 ran EFL programmes for non-native speakers of English.[2]

The College's mission statement was: We will provide high quality, relevant provision for all our learners.

Campus and catchment area

The College operated on several different sites in Swansea.

  • Tycoch Campus – Sketty: Main site of the College, provided 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, were used for courses.

Faculties and services

A Level and the arts

The faculty was 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 provided 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.[2]

2008 results
  • 99.3% of students passed their A Level courses.[3]
  • 15% of these had A grades, 47% A or B and 78% A, B or C.[3]
  • 93% of students passed their AS Level courses.[3]
  • 100% of students passed the International Baccalaureate Diploma.[3]

Sport, lifestyle and business

Extra curricular opportunities were offered, including work experience, educational visits, visiting speakers and entrepreneurship guidance. Courses were 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 housed the Centre for Sporting Development which is dedicated to the physical, personal and intellectual development of student athletes.

Engineering, IT and technology

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

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

Student-built websites include:

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

Social and vocational studies

Students of hairdressing, beauty and complementary therapy could take part in work experience in a salon environment at either its Broadway or Cefn Hengoed Centre. Health and social care courses were also offered.

Community Operations

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

Training for business

The Business College was the commercial arm of Swansea College. Many programmes carried national accreditation. Others were bespoke, tailored to the student's particular needs. The Business College was based in Swansea Vale and offers training courses such as NEBOSH, IOSH, CIEH, BIIAB, OCR, RTITB, CMI, ILM, First Aid and NVQ.

Work-based learning

Swansea College offered 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 included: Foundation Modern Apprentice (NVQ Level 2) Advanced Modern Apprentice (NVQ Level 3/4) Modern Skills Diploma (NVQ Level 4/5)

Results and awards

In 2008, the College's pass rates were:

Level 3 Courses
  • 99.3% on A Level Courses.[3]
  • 88% on National Diploma Courses.
  • 80% on National Certificate Courses.
  • 90% on NVQ Level 3 programmes.
  • 100% on the International Baccalaureate Diploma.[3]

Level 2 Courses
  • 93% at GCSE.
  • 91% at First Diploma level.
  • 91% on NVQ Level 2 programmes.

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

Awards

The College won the LSDA Beacon Award (for Staff Development in ILT) in 1999-2000.[4]

Merger with Gorseinon College

Swansea College merged with Gorseinon College on 20 August 2010 to create a single sixth form and further education college for the Swansea area called Gower College Swansea.[5][6][7] The identities of both colleges will however remain and Gorseinon College will retain its campus in Gorseinon as a sixth-form college.

  1. Summary for HE students by The Independent.
  2. Swansea College website Archived 25 May 2005 at the Wayback Machine
  3. Press release about 2008 results Archived 3 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  4. AoC PDF file celebrating 10 years of the Beacon Awards - p11 Archived 16 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  5. Gorseinon College - News - 5 February 2010
  6. Swansea College - News - 5 February 2010 Archived 10 February 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  7. New name for merged Gorseinon and Swansea colleges - News report 5 February 2010
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