Wiltshire College works closely with partner universities to deliver courses which meet the needs of our students and of industry.

All of our courses are subject to an approval process to ensure that they’re equal to the provision of other higher education institutions and meet the standards of our validating bodies.

In collaboration with our partners we have developed top-up Honours Degrees for most of our Foundation Degrees.

Our Foundation Degree and Degree programmes are currently validated by the following universities:

Bath Spa University

Bath Spa University is one of the new generation of ‘teaching-led’ universities, and places great emphasis on the quality of its teaching. It was ranked 3rd top ‘modern university’ in the 2008 Sunday Times University Guide.

The University has grown significantly in recent years both in the number of students and the range of courses on offer. Courses are provided at all levels, from Foundation Degree to taught Masters. At present there are over 6,000 students, more than one third of whom are over the age of 25. However it remains small in comparison with many universities and its size is one of the features that appeals to students. In the National Student Surveys Bath Spa University students have recorded a very high level of satisfaction.

Partnerships with local further education colleges are very important to the University, and many students are based on courses run at partner colleges in the region who then progress to one of the main campuses to complete their degree.

The University has been designated a national Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL). The Artswork project has invested significantly in specialist resources for students following courses leading to careers in the creative industries.

Bournemouth University

As many Wiltshire College Salisbury courses are validated by Bournemouth University (BU), students automatically become BU students, with access to the university’s facilities.

BU is a youthful and innovative university, offering a range of high-quality academic courses geared to the professions.

BU’s student-centred learning environment emphasises both intellectual achievement and employability, and they take great pride in their strength in research and enterprise and the world-class standing of its centres of academic excellence.

BU commands a strong position as one of Europe’s largest study centres for media, and the only governmentsupported Centre for Excellence in Media Practice in England, and is a world leader in forensic archaeology and crime scene science, with staff and students involved in international projects.

The University specialises in professional, relevant degree courses and has a strong record of graduate success. It works in partnership with Wiltshire College to provide extended opportunities for study either at locations near to your home or to provide specialist courses not widely available on a national basis.

BU is also proud to be the UK’s Number One New University as voted for by the Guardian University Guide 2009 and 2010.

Royal Agricultural College

Established in 1845, the Royal Agricultural College (RAC) currently offers over 40 career focused programmes within its School of Agriculture, School of Business and School of Rural Economy and Land Management.

As a leading university college, the RAC has a reputation and history to be proud of, yet it is alsoa forward-looking and vibrant community of 850 students from more than 30 countries studying at the beautiful campus in the heart of the Cotswolds.

Study programmes are managed by experienced staff, all of whom are leaders in their fields, enabling the RAC to provide a range of highly regarded undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes and professional training courses. The impressive graduate employment rates can be attributed in part to the strong industry links maintained by the College.

University of Bath

The University of Bath is one of the UK’s leading universities, with an international reputation for quality research and teaching. Bath is ranked in the UK top ten of universities in both the Guardian University Guide and the Complete University Guide published by The Independent. The University values working collaboratively with others and has a global network of contacts in business, the professions, the public sector, and the voluntary sector. It also benefits from strong links with the local community.

University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE)

UWE believes in the power of partnerships which contribute to success in delivering excellent teaching and research. The UWE Federation, a network of partnerships with regional Colleges, including Wiltshire College, means you can study a University-level course within a local College environment. Most courses will allow you to combine academic study with workbased learning. You will be a UWE student as well as a College student, enjoying all the benefits that this provides, including access to the UWE bursary. And once you finish your Foundation Degree, you can choose to look for that very important first job or you may like to think about advanced entry to a related BSc or BA degree - the choice is yours!