Higher education programmes

Whatever your background Bedford College provides you with flexible, convenient and cost-effective higher education and professional courses. Perhaps you have just finished A’levels and want to continue your education without the cost of going to university? Or you may be in employment and looking for a flexible, part-time course that will improve your long-term career prospectus. You may also have been out of education for some time and now need a supportive environment in which to develop your full potential. Whatever your situation Bedford College is the best place for you.

We are dedicated to helping you get the most from your career and achieving your personal goals, and we have a strong reputation for supporting and encouraging our students throughout their time with us. We pride ourselves on providing a more personalised atmosphere than university – we make sure you’re supported when you need it, with individual attention to help you succeed.

Choosing college for your higher education also means that you will be better off financially. Colleges offer the most cost-effective option for higher education and a recent report from the Government found that on average college students leave with £2,300 less debt than university students.

Bedford College provides a wide range of higher education and professional courses to fit around your lifestyle and enabling you to access the numerous benefits that studying a degree-level qualification brings, including:

People with degree-level qualifications earn substantially more than people with just A Levels or equivalent (on average)
Over a working lifetime, you could earn around £100,000 before tax*
You will also benefit from higher level jobs and greater promotion prospects
*Directgov

Why is Bedford College best for YOU?

There are lots of reasons why you should choose Bedford College - here are just 10 of them:

Personalised support

Approachable, supportive and friendly staff, along with small tuition groups and a personal tutor means that we can offer far more individual attention and support than universities. If you are returning to education after some time away, our range of Access courses will provide you with the qualifications and confidence you need to progress to degree-level programmes.

Save money!

It’s a fact: Higher education at college will cost you less than studying at university, according to a recent Government report. Why pay more when Bedford College can offer you great value for money on your doorstep?

Flexible courses that fit around you

Our part-time courses run in the afternoons and evenings, while many of our full-time courses are condensed in to just two or three days a week, so that you can combine your studies with paid employment or family commitments.

High-quality, award-winning teaching

Not only does Bedford College have an excellent track record and an examination pass rate of well above the national average but we have also won several awards and accolades for the high-quality education that we provide.

Recognised for Excellence quality standard
Ofsted Inspection 2008: ‘Outstanding’
Training Quality Standard
Beacon status

Legacy of providing higher education in Bedford

Bedford College has been offering degree-level qualifications to the local community in Bedford and the surrounding areas since 1953, and our reputation has continued to grow.

Meeting employers' needs

We ensure that employers have direct input into the design of many of our vocational courses. This makes sure that they relate to the working-world and boost your career prospects. We also offer a range of subject specialist qualifications from the world’s leading professional bodies that are highly sought after by employers.

Expert tutors

Our tutors are experts in their field, and many have valuable industry experience, which means they can give you valuable advice on how to progress once your course is finished.

Excellent pass rates

Our pass rates are well above the national average across all areas, proving that we are committed to achieving results.

Modern facilities

We have invested millions in our facilities over recent years. Our £2.5 million sports centre and £6 million South Bank Arts Centre are just two of the state-of-the-art facilities that you can use.

University partnership

Our strong partnership with the University of Bedfordshire means that you can automatically progress on to the final year of a degree once you have completed your foundation degree.