An introduction to Preston College

Preston College is a further education college based in the Lancashire city of Preston, England. Part of the Lancashire Lifelong Learning Network, it is one of the largest FE colleges in England, offering a range of academic and vocational courses to school leavers over the age of 16 and adults alike. An introduction to Preston College follows.

History and location

Preston College was originally opened as the W R Tuson College in 1974, and was given its current name in 1989. There are two main sites for the institution, one located at St Vincent's Road in the Fulwood area of the town, and the other adjacent to the Moor Park. For administrative and academic purposes, the college is divided up into four faculties. These are the Service Industries, Academic Arts, Business Enterprise and Employment and Construction and Manufacturing Technology. The college also benefits from the input of noted entrepreneur and 'Dragons' Den' TV star Peter Jones, with one of his Peter Jones Enterprise Academies on-site. This is the only Peter Jones Academy in the county of Lancashire, and students can benefit from a practical approach to Business Studies, where they can work towards a BTEC in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship at Level 3, which is one of the qualifications on offer.

Learning and lifestyle

The college offers over 300 vocational courses to students wishing to develop their career and work-based skills rather than more academic pursuits. There are 12 academies at the college, delivering courses in several specialist areas. These range from Business and Retail, to Construction and Technology, as well as Catering and Hospitality and Sports, amongst many others. Additionally, the college is part of the Lancashire Lifelong Learning Network, which offers over 40,000 vocational opportunities to people across the county. The City Business Centre of the college is situated at Winckley Street, in Preston's commercial district. This offers a range of facilities for the use of the wider business community, as well as being the venue for many of the college's courses and training options. Students at the college can also enjoy access to a well-equipped sports centre, which includes a full-size sports hall, tennis courts, an aerobics studio, an outdoor astro Turf pitch, squash courts and a fully-equipped gym amongst its facilities. There are eight catering outlets dotted around the college's facilities, offering a range of menus to suit various tastes, including a coffee bar and a takeaway pasta bar.