Barnsley College has over 500 Higher Education students, studying on both vocational and academic courses. We pride ourselves that Barnsley College is a vibrant place in which to study.  Each individual is valued and we aim to enable our students to reach their full potential.  In many ways, the College is better-equipped to support students both academically and personally than larger, more impersonal Higher Education institutions.

Barnsley is becoming an increasingly popular destination for students with very good reason.  Barnsley town has a population of just over 80,000 and the Borough as a whole just under 220,000.  It has a small-town feel with excellent facilities and one of the cheapest “shopping baskets” in the country with markets that attract shoppers from across the region.  The town offers a variety of sporting, social and cultural activities, and the cosmopolitan cities of Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield are within easy reach.  Students can enjoy the best of both worlds – small-town costs and big city facilities.

The Cooper Art Gallery has recently been re-modelled and holds permanent displays and exhibitions.

For sports fans, Barnsley has the Metrodome Sports Complex close to the town centre. The town also has its own football club, Barnsley FC.

A short bus or train journey will take you to Meadowhall, one of Europe’s largest shopping centres, or to the Elsecar Heritage Centre with its craft shops, steam railway and science centre.

The Peak District National Park overlaps Barnsley’s western fringes where you will find miles of footpaths and spectacular Pennine landscapes.

Becoming a Higher Education student is a new and exciting step, but it can also be quite daunting.  At Barnsley College we do everything we can to make the experience fun, happy and rewarding.  Freshers’ Week is organised to help the students settle in, join in the social life and meet new people before starting their course. The Barnsley College Students’ Association (BCSA) organise a variety of entertainment from bands, comedy nights to sporting activities as well as arranging a  calendar of social events throughout the year including the Summer Ball!

For more information about HE courses at Barnsley College you can phone 01226 216216 or our CLEARING LINE on 01226 216571.