Overview

Gloucestershire College, formerly known as Gloucestershire College of Arts and Technology, is an innovative and successful college of further and higher education with a history dating back to 1838. It is located in the Heart of England in the beautiful Cotswolds. Each year the college enrols almost 4000 full- time students and more than 10000 part-time students.

The college delivers high value education and training at all levels. Gloucestershire College offers a range of education and training programmes, including GCSEs, A Levels, Vocational qualifications, Apprenticeships, Basic skills courses, Higher Education, Short courses for business, Part-time day and evening courses, English for overseas students)

Gloucestershire College is a Gazelle College which means we give students more chances to gain work experience and learn practical skills. Gloucestershire College's students become better employees and many choose to start their own businesses.

In 2013 the college's OFSTED (Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills) report found it to be "good with outstanding features". Gloucestershire College also meets UK standards for QAA (Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education).

Established year: 1838

Location

Gloucestershire College is located in the Heart of England in the beautiful Cotswolds. We are one hour from Oxford, Birmingham, Bristol and Bath. The College is one hour from Oxford, Birmingham, Bristol and Bath, and two hours from London, by car or train.

Gloucestershire is widely considered to be one of the best places to live in the UK, and representative of "the real England". Gloucestershire College main campuses are in Cheltenham and Gloucester, the main urban centres in the county.

Cheltenham is an elegant town which is famous for its festivals. Throughout the year these cover literature, jazz, science, music and cricket, as well as the world-famous horse racing festival. The town is known for the quality of its shopping, restaurants and nightlife. Most of international students based in Cheltenham.

Historic Gloucester is 2000 years old and famous for its cathedral, where the college holds its ceremonies.

Address:

Cheltenham: Princess Elizabeth Way, Cheltenham, GL51 7SJ

Gloucester: Gloucester Campus, Llanthony Road, Gloucester, GL2 5JQ

Learning environment

Gloucestershire College can offer some of the best educational facilities in the country. GS two main campuses have been purpose-built at a combined cost of £60 million. Built in 2002 and 2007, our campuses offer modern, advanced learning resources, both inside and outside the classroom. Two additional campuses are located in Tewkesbury and the Royal Forest of Dean.

All classrooms feature interactive whiteboards, which teachers are specially trained to use. There are over 2,500 computers throughout the college, giving us an exceptionally high computers-to-students ratio. Individual departments offer industry-standard resources, giving students access to professional-level facilities while they learn.

GS facilities include a fitness studio, full size gym, sports hall, TV and sound studios, engineering labs & workshops, hair and beauty salons, graphic design suites and a theatre. Each campus has its own library. There are also plenty of dining options on campus, including sandwich bars, cafes, canteens and a fine dining restaurant.

International students can access computers, self-study and other materials in a special area set aside for the international and languages department.

Highlights/Advantages

• The college's most recent A Level pass rate was 98.6%
• Gloucestershire College became the first college in the South West to be accredited with the prestigious British Dyslexia Association Quality Mark
• 90% of students would recommend Gloucestershire College and 95% said that the teaching on their course was good
• Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills) has rated Gloucestershire College "good" with "outstanding" features.
• All Gloucestershire College staff is experts in their subject area and a number of them have worked in industry too
• It has great facilities, including hair and beauty salons, a theatre, recording studios, tennis courts, restaurants and iMacs

Accommodation

Gloucestershire College has a broad range of accommodation options available, including friendly and welcoming homestays and comfortable student residences.

Homestay

GC carefully selected host families offer the perfect environment for students to improve English and learn about British culture. Host families offer half board during the week and full board on the weekend. Some host families allow self-catering within the home. Living with a family is a great way of settling into a new country and you can be sure of a warm welcome.

Student Halls of Residence

If you would like to live with other students you can choose to live in one of our fully furnished student residences. You will have a single room with ensuite facilities including a shower and toilet. The kitchen area is shared with one or two other students. The common area is the perfect place to play table tennis, watch television or talk with friends. A warden is on duty to help with anything you need and CCTV is used for added security. Student residences are self-catering and suitable for mature students looking for independent living within halls.