Swansea College

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

Swansea College
Swansea College Logo
Type	Further Education College
Principal	Jeff Gunningham
Administrative staff	1,000
Students	15,000
Address	Tycoch Road Swansea SA2 9EB, Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales
Website	www.swancoll.ac.uk

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.

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:

http://www.laugharne.info
http://www.childcompassion.co.uk
http://www.carmarthenspinners.co.uk
http://www.streetchiro.co.uk – Designed and Developed for Street Chiro by Nicky Thomas

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.

References and external links

Universities and colleges in Wales

Universities	Aberystwyth Bangor Cardiff Cardiff Metropolitan South Wales Swansea Trinity Saint David Wrexham Glyndŵr

Further education colleges	Bridgend Cambria Cardiff and Vale Ceredigion Cymoedd Gower College Swansea Gwent Harlech Llandrillo Cymru Merthyr Tydfil Neath Port Talbot Pembrokeshire Powys Sir Gâr

Sixth form colleges	Cardiff Sixth Form College St David's Catholic

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