What Leicester College does

Leicester College is a publicly funded Further Education college headquartered at Freemen's Park Campus in Leicester, UK, operating across multiple city campuses (Abbey Park, Freemen's Park, St Margaret's, City Skills Centre, and Leicester Adult Education Centre). It is the largest apprenticeship training delivery organisation in Leicester and self-describes as Leicestershire's #1 Post 16 Education and Training provider. The college delivers a comprehensive portfolio of technical, vocational, and higher education qualifications from Level 1 through Level 6 across broad subject areas including engineering, construction, health and social care, computing and digital, creative arts, hospitality, sport, hairdressing, and business.

Its core product lines are organised around five learner segments: School Leavers (16–18), Adult Learners, University Level students (via a De Montfort University awarding partnership covering HNCs, HNDs, HTQs, foundation degrees, and degree top-ups), Apprentices, and Employer Services (bespoke training, apprenticeship recruitment, sector-based Work Academy Programmes). The college runs T Levels, Skills Bootcamps, Sports Academies, and trades-accredited professional training (BPEC plumbing, gas and electrical). Supporting platforms include the Learner Hub online application portal, a Student Portal integrating Moodle (VLE), Smart Assessor, Cashless Catering, and ProPortal, plus immersive learning technology (Metaverse and Bodyswaps VR) for clinical and employability skills simulation.

Revenue mechanics are dominated by the UK FE funding model: government per-learner funding for 16–18 provision, adult skills funding, apprenticeship levy income, and tuition for university-level courses, supplemented by commercial operations including Sue Townsend Theatre venue hire, Taste Restaurant, on-site nurseries, Serenity Hair and Beauty salon, and trade-specific BPEC training. Pricing to learners is largely freemium, with free adult courses available to those earning under £25,750, government-funded Skills Bootcamps, SWAP for jobseekers, and a £49.50 one-off DBS check fee for adult students. The college's employer business is go-to-market via a dedicated field team, Training Needs Analysis, apprenticeship levy coordination, and on-site delivery, with channel partners including Jobcentre Plus (SWAP) and the East Midlands Chamber. Disclosed funding includes a £3m Department for Education LSIF grant (Nov 2023) and £1m of Office for Students capital funding (2025), with sub-allocations for Health and Social Care facilities, IT infrastructure, and a new Aeronautical and Space Engineering Technology Centre.

Name

Leicester College

Legal name

Leicester College

Website

https://leicestercollege.ac.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Leicester College is the largest publicly funded Further Education college in Leicester, delivering post-16 vocational, technical, apprenticeship, and higher education courses across multiple UK campuses to school leavers, adult learners, apprentices, and employer clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Further Education and Vocational Training

NAICS

Junior Colleges (611210), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce Development & Continuing Education Divisions (Noncredit) (EDAHADAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Transfer/University-Parallel Community Colleges (EDAHADAF), Public Career & Technical Education (CTE) Centers & Programs (EDAJAAAJ)

Keywords

• Further education
• Vocational training
• Apprenticeship programs
• Higher education
• Professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

Leicester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees - Further Education: Revenue from providing further education courses for school leavers (16-18) and adults, including vocational qualifications, GCSEs, T Levels, and functional skills. Students may be eligible for funding or financial support.
2. University Level Tuition: Revenue from higher education courses including HNCs, HNDs, HTQs, foundation degrees, and degree top-ups. Partnership with De Montfort University for accreditation.
3. Apprenticeship Training: Revenue from providing apprenticeship training across various standards including business, construction, engineering, hairdressing, health, hospitality. Employers may pay through apprenticeship levy or government funding.
4. Employer Training Services: Bespoke training and upskilling solutions for businesses delivered at college, in workplace, or distance learning format. Includes Training Needs Analysis, apprenticeship levy coordination, and professional training courses.
5. Commercial Services: Revenue-generating commercial operations including Sue Townsend Theatre venue hire, Taste Restaurant, nurseries, and Serenity Hair and Beauty salon.
6. Skills Bootcamps: Free government-funded Skills Bootcamps for adults to develop in-demand skills, with guaranteed job interview upon completion.
7. Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP): Government-funded programme for jobseekers providing pre-employment training, work placements, and job interview guarantees. Collaborative effort with Jobcentre Plus.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Leicester College is a Further Education college providing technical, vocational, and higher education qualifications from Level 1 to Level 6 for school leavers, adult learners, apprentices, and university-level students in partnership with De Montfort University. The college also delivers bespoke employer training, apprenticeship programmes, Skills Bootcamps, SWAP sector-based work academy programmes, and operates commercial facilities including a theatre, training restaurant, nurseries, and a hair and beauty salon.

Product overview

Leicester College operates as a further and higher education institution offering a unified portfolio of educational programmes and commercial services. The core educational offerings include School Leavers Courses (16-18), Adult Education, University Level programmes, Apprenticeships, T Levels, Skills Bootcamps, and Professional Training. These are supported by the Learner Hub application platform and Student Portal containing Moodle, Smart Assessor, and ProPortal. The college also operates commercial services including the Sue Townsend Theatre, Taste Restaurant, Nurseries, Serenity Hair and Beauty, and trade training solutions. The institution is partnered with De Montfort University for higher education awards and the East Midlands Chamber for skills development initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• School Leavers Courses
• Adult Education
• University Level Courses
• Apprenticeships
• T Levels
• Skills Bootcamps
• Professional Training
• Employer Services
• Sue Townsend Theatre
• Taste Restaurant
• Serenity Hair and Beauty
• Nurseries
• Sports Academies

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 people attended Apprenticeship, Skills, and Jobs Fair 2026
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• East Midlands ChambercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2026Extended Chamber partnership with college to benefit Leicester and Leicestershire skills agenda. East Midlands Chamber led the data-driven approach for LSIF funding initiatives.
• WiltenminorOthers · 20 September 2024Wilten participated in ground breaking ceremony for new Aeronautical and Space Engineering Technology Centre at Abbey Park Campus.
• De Montfort University (DMU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with De Montfort University for accreditation and awarding of many university level qualifications. Students on DMU-awarded programmes experience benefits of student life at university while studying at college with lower fees.
• Leicester TigersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through Sports Academies programme featuring Tess Feury who praised the city's sporting community at Leicester Tigers matches.
• SavoyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness sponsorship partner working with Leicester College in areas of sponsorship and branding packages.
• British GypsumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness sponsorship partner working with Leicester College in sponsorship and branding activities.
• LendleaseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness sponsorship partner with established network relationship with Leicester College.
• Jobcentre PluscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSWAP (Sector-based Work Academy Programme) collaborative partnership with Jobcentre Plus for jobseekers aged 16+ who claim benefits. Programme includes pre-employment training, work placement, and guaranteed job interview.
• NHScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS partnership for SWAP programmes providing healthcare sector training and guaranteed job interviews.
• Leicester Adult Education CentreminorOthersVenue partnership for Leicester Sporting Showcase exhibition at Belvoir Street location.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• New College Leicester: Another general further education college located in Leicester, offering a comparable mix of 16-18 study programmes, adult learning, apprenticeships, and vocational qualifications. Direct head-to-head competitor for the same Leicester learner and employer pool.
• Loughborough College: General FE college in Leicestershire offering school leaver programmes, apprenticeships, adult education, and university-level courses. Competes with Leicester College across the same regional catchment.
• North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC): Regional FE college covering South Leicestershire with overlapping curriculum and apprenticeship offerings. Direct competitor for 16-18 and adult learners in the same county catchment.
• Gateway College Leicester: Leicester-based FE college offering 16-18 study programmes, vocational training, and adult education. Competes locally for school leavers and employer training contracts.
• Weston College: Large UK general FE college with strong apprenticeship, employer services, and technical training portfolio. Comparable in scale and in the breadth of its employer-facing training offer.
• Solihull College & University Centre: Midlands-based FE college offering school leaver, apprenticeship, adult, and higher education programmes including HTQs. Comparable mid-size FE institution with similar curriculum breadth.
• Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT): General FE college with strong technical/vocational focus, apprenticeship delivery, and employer partnerships. Comparable on size, programme mix, and employer-facing business.

Broad incumbents

• De Montfort University (DMU): Leicester-based university that validates Leicester College's university-level qualifications (HNCs/HNDs/HTQs/foundation degrees/degree top-ups). A partner and partial competitor in higher education space.

Emerging players

• Lifetime Training Group: Large private apprenticeship and traineeship provider in the UK. Competes with Leicester College for employer apprenticeship contracts, particularly among national employers using apprenticeship levy funds.
• Baltic Apprenticeships: Independent apprenticeship training provider working with UK employers across multiple sectors. Competes for employer apprenticeship spend in the same standards Leicester College delivers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@leicestercoll
• Facebookfacebook.com/leicestercollege

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Leicester College