What Derby College does

Derby College Group (DCG) is a further education college group headquartered in Derby, United Kingdom, operating as an exempt charity under Part 3 of the Charities Act 2011 and regulated by the Secretary of State for Education. Formed in 2017 through the merger of predecessor institutions (Mackworth College, Wilmorton Tertiary Colleges, Broomfield Agricultural College, South East Derbyshire College), DCG serves school leavers, adult learners, apprentices, higher education students, SEND learners, and employer clients across the East Midlands region. The college's products span vocational and academic pathways, including A-Levels, T Levels, apprenticeships, Higher Education (delivered with University of Derby and Nottingham Trent University), Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs), and the East Midlands Institute of Technology (EMIoT) for STEM and digital skills. The student body is 50/50 male/female, 33% from ethnically diverse backgrounds, and 26% declaring a disability or learning difficulty.

DCG's core technology stack centres on a Moodle Virtual Learning Environment for course delivery and student learning management, supplemented by Microsoft authentication and MFA systems for student access. Distribution is delivered through eight physical campus locations (The Roundhouse, Joseph Wright Centre, Broomfield Hall, Ilkeston, Hudson Building, Sinfin Library, St James Centre, and offsite venues) and a self-serve distance learning channel. Revenue is generated through tuition fees, government funding streams (ESF, SFA, apprenticeship levy), and employer training contracts, with free courses available for ESF-eligible learners. The college holds Cyber Essentials, Matrix Quality Standard, and TEF certifications, and maintains employer partnerships with Alstom, Rolls-Royce, Toyota/Rockwell, Chester Zoo, Beacon Rail, and CrossCountry. The Corporation comprises 14 governors as of 2025-26, chaired by Peter Newman-Earp, with CEO Mandie Stravino leading the executive team.

Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer, combining website-led course search and enrollment, open days, community outreach, employer-sponsored training, and a Youth Guarantee programme for young people. Marketing channels span the college website, open events, organic social (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram), an inTouch email system, and referral networks with local schools and employers. The institution operates 1,001-5,000 employees and is governed as a public-sector body without private equity or venture capital ownership.

Name

Derby College

Legal name

Derby College Group

Website

https://derby-college.ac.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Derby College Group is a UK further education college group operating 8 campuses across Derby and Derbyshire, delivering vocational, academic, apprenticeship, T Level, HTQ, and higher education programmes to school leavers, adults, apprentices, SEND learners, and employers across the East Midlands region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Further Education and Vocational Training

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Junior Colleges (6112)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive Community Colleges (Transfer + Workforce) (EDAHADAE)

Keywords

• Further education services
• Vocational training programs
• Apprenticeship programs
• Technical qualifications
• Higher education courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Derby

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Course tuition fees charged to students for various programmes, with HE tuition fees supplement published annually.
2. Government Funding: Funding from government bodies including ESF (European Social Fund) for eligible courses, SFA funding, and apprenticeship funding arrangements.
3. Employer Training Contracts: Workforce development and professional training services contracted with employers, including T Levels and apprenticeship provision.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Derby College Group (DCG) is a UK further education college providing vocational and academic qualifications across multiple campuses in Derby and Derbyshire. Its core offering spans apprenticeships, T Levels, A-Levels, Higher Education, Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs), adult and community courses, and employer workforce training. The East Midlands Institute of Technology (EMIoT) is a specialised subsidiary institute focused on STEM and higher-level technical education delivered with industry employer partners.

Product overview

Derby College Group (DCG) offers a comprehensive portfolio of educational products and services across multiple delivery formats. The core offering includes vocational programs (Apprenticeships, T Levels, School Leaver Vocational/Technical), academic pathways (Higher Education, School Leaver Academic, A-Levels), and professional development (Professional Training, HTQs). The East Midlands Institute of Technology (EMIoT) provides specialized STEM and digital skills training. Programs are delivered across multiple campuses (The Roundhouse, Joseph Wright Centre, Broomfield Hall, Ilkeston, Hudson Building) and through distance learning, serving school leavers, adults, and employers across the Derby and Derbyshire region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• East Midlands Institute of Technology (EMIoT): A specialized institute within DCG focused on technical qualifications and employer partnerships.

Products and services

• Apprenticeships Earn-as-you-learn vocational training programmes enabling students to gain practical workplace experience while studying, covering sectors such as automotive, engineering, construction, and digital technologies. Targeted at individuals entering the workforce and their host employers.
• Higher Education University-level and degree-level qualifications offered in partnership with universities including University of Derby and Nottingham Trent University, providing academic and vocational pathways for students seeking higher qualifications.
• T Levels Technical qualifications designed with employers to give students the skills needed for skilled employment or higher education, covering technical and vocational fields.
• Professional Training Essential training services for both employers and employees, supporting workforce development and professional skill enhancement across various industries.
• Adult and Community Courses Continuing education programmes for adult learners, including community-based courses covering diverse subjects from digital skills to vocational training. The 2026 cohort is currently being offered.
• School Leaver Vocational/Technical Vocational and technical qualifications for school leavers (typically 16-18) seeking practical skills and qualifications in specific trade and industry areas.
• School Leaver Academic (A-Levels) A-Level and advanced academic study programmes for students completing secondary education and seeking university entrance qualifications.
• East Midlands Institute of Technology (EMIoT) Specialised technical and digital skills institute within DCG focused on STEM and higher-level technical education in partnership with industry employers.
• Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) Technical qualifications providing an alternative to traditional degrees and apprenticeships, focused on specific industry skills and competencies.
• FREE Distance Learning Courses Free online self-paced distance learning courses for adult learners, enabling remote access to continuing education and skills development.
• Youth Guarantee Programme Programme helping young people move into education, employment, or training.
• ESF Fully Funded Courses Free ESF (European Social Fund) fully funded courses available for eligible learners across high-level STEM skills and SAIL pathways.
• Employer Training Contracts B2B workforce development and professional training services contracted with employers, including apprenticeship frameworks, T Level industry placements, and bespoke corporate training.

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AlstomcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Alstom launched the ASPIRE supported internship programme at its Derby Litchurch Lane Works factory in collaboration with Derby College. The programme provides students with special educational needs and disabilities real workplace experience alongside structured support. Interns participate in the CrossCountry Voyager refurbishment project valued at approximately £60m.
• Beacon RailcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026CrossCountry operator and fleet owner Beacon Rail commented positively on the partnership with Alstom and Derby College as a pathway for interns to enter the rail industry. Involved in the £60m CrossCountry Voyager refurbishment project.
• Chester ZoocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDerby College Group apprentices completed a landmark apprenticeship programme at Chester Zoo, contributing to the Heart of Africa development during their apprenticeship.
• Rolls-Royce plccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStuart Ellis, Director of Technical Assurance and Head of Engineering Fellowship at Rolls-Royce, serves as a governor at DCG. Rolls-Royce sponsors employees through further and higher education. The company is a key employer partner supporting engineering curriculum development and knowledge transfer.
• Nottingham Trent UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessor Jane McNeil, Pro Vice Chancellor Education at Nottingham Trent University, serves as an independent governor at DCG. The university is a key partner for higher education progression pathways.
• ToyotaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerToyota's partnership with Rockwell Automation and Derby College was cited as an example of apprenticeship programmes encoding veteran knowledge into training systems, addressing the knowledge transfer crisis in automotive manufacturing.
• University of DerbycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with University of Derby for higher education progression pathways. Students can progress from DCG courses to university-level qualifications.
• Erewash PartnershipminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorErewash Partnership member - supporting local business engagement and economic development in the Erewash area.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Chesterfield College: Further education college in neighbouring North Derbyshire with comparable further education, apprenticeship, and HE provision serving the same East Midlands employer and learner market.
• Nottingham College: Large regional further education college serving the adjacent Nottingham city market with a similar portfolio of A-Levels, T Levels, apprenticeships, vocational qualifications, and HE pathways. Comparable in scale, mission, and government funding model.
• Leeds College of Building: Specialist FE college with construction and built environment focus offering apprenticeship, vocational, T Level, and HE provision; comparable specialist FE model and employer partnership approach.
• New College Durham: Regional further education college with comparable A-Level, apprenticeship, T Level, vocational, and HE portfolio serving a similar mid-sized regional market.
• Loughborough College: East Midlands FE college with overlapping academic, vocational, apprenticeship, and higher education offerings, and similar employer-engagement model serving Leicestershire and the wider region.
• Burton and South Derbyshire College: Direct geographic neighbour and fellow East Midlands further education college, offering comparable A-Level, vocational, apprenticeship, and adult learner provision. Operates as an exempt charity with similar revenue model and employer-partnered apprenticeship focus.

Broad incumbents

• London South East Colleges: Multi-campus further education college group offering comparable A-Level, vocational, apprenticeship, and HE provision; relevant comparator for estate utilisation and apprenticeship employer partnerships.
• Activate Learning: Multi-college FE group operating across southern England with comparable further education, apprenticeship, T Level, and HE portfolio; useful comparator for group-level FE operating model and scale economics.
• Newcastle College (NCG): Part of Newcastle College Group, one of the UK's largest FE college groups with multi-campus further and higher education, apprenticeship, and technical training at significantly greater scale than DCG but serving a comparable mission and learner segments.

Regional players

• University of Derby: Higher education institution in the same city with which DCG has a formal HE progression partnership; overlapping on degree-level qualifications and continuing professional development, and competing for the same regional adult learner market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/OfficialDerbyCollege
• Facebookfacebook.com/derbycollege
• Instagraminstagram.com/derbycollege/?hl=en
• Xx.com/derbycollege

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Derby College