Yeovil College

What Yeovil College does

Yeovil College is a further and higher education institution based in Yeovil, Somerset, serving South Somerset and North and West Dorset. Founded in 1887, it supports approximately 5,000 full and part-time students across A Levels (Kingston Sixth Form), T Levels, vocational programmes, apprenticeships, Foundation Learning, English/Maths/ESOL, and higher education delivered through the Yeovil College University Centre (YCUC). It operates as a standalone further education corporation with a Corporation Board chaired by Peter Thomas and led by CEO & Principal Mark Bolton.

The College's core product set spans Level 3 to Level 6 qualifications, with delivery anchored on a Moodle-based virtual learning environment, Microsoft 365 (with SSO), and sector-specific technical facilities. Notable capital assets include the iAero Centre (2,398m², £10m additive manufacturing facility with the Markforged portfolio including the FX20 large-format printer and Eiger software), a £1.2m hydrogen cell technology training facility for aerospace engineering, and a digital dental training laboratory. The College also offers student support services including the Wisdom Student Assistance Programme and a Careers Hub ranked No.1 in Somerset and Devon for Gatsby Benchmarks.

Revenue is generated primarily through ESFA/DfE public funding allocations for 16-18 and adult further education, Apprenticeship Levy income and employer co-investment (notably ~£1.2m annually from Leonardo Helicopters UK), Higher Education tuition fees and Office for Students funding for the University Centre, and adult learner tuition fees processed via WisePay and PayPal. The College distributes via direct on-campus delivery in Yeovil, employer-embedded apprenticeship training, school connections outreach, and a digital learning platform. It is one of only 12 Institutes of Technology in the UK and one of 16 colleges awarded a share of the £1.5bn FE Capital Transformation Fund.

Name

Yeovil College

Legal name

Yeovil College

Website

https://yeovil.ac.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1887

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Yeovil College is a further and higher education institution in Somerset, England, serving ~5,000 students with A Levels, T Levels, vocational programmes, apprenticeships, and university-level qualifications, funded primarily through ESFA/DfE grants, employer levy contributions (notably Leonardo), and tuition fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Further and Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Apprenticeship Training (611513)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs (BPACANAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Higher Education Course Design & Online Program Development (EDAGAKAB)

Keywords

• Further education college
• Higher education programs
• Vocational training courses
• Apprenticeship programmes
• Technical qualifications

Headquarters

HQ city

Shaftesbury

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. ESFA/DfE Funding (Further Education): The College is contractually obligated to submit individualised learner record (ILR) datasets to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and Department for Education (DfE). Core funding for 16-18 further education and adult education is received through ESFA/DfE funding allocations, which is the primary revenue source for further education delivery.
2. Apprenticeship Levy and Programme Funding: Apprenticeships are funded through a combination of levy contributions from large employers and government co-investment. The College supports approximately 1,000 apprentices across 60 curriculum areas, with Leonardo representing around £1.2 million of income per year. Apprenticeship provision generates revenue from employer co-investment and levy funds.
3. Tuition and Course Fees: Adult learners (19+) and some professional courses charge tuition fees. The College processes fee payments via WisePay and PayPal. Fee remission is available for eligible learners. Revenue also includes course material charges, trips, and associated programme costs.
4. Higher Education (University Centre) Fees: The Yeovil College University Centre (YCUC) offers Foundation Degrees, Bachelor's Degrees, Higher National qualifications, and Postgraduate programmes. Funded through the Office for Students (OfS) and tuition fees from students, with support from The Open University for higher technical education expansion.
5. Bursary and Financial Support: The College administers bursary funding for eligible students, including the 16-19 Bursary Fund and Vulnerable Group Bursary, sourced from ESFA. This funding supports learner attendance and removes financial barriers to education.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Yeovil College delivers further and higher education programmes across A Levels, T Levels, vocational qualifications, apprenticeships, and degree courses through the Yeovil College University Centre. The college also runs employer-led apprenticeship training, English/Maths/ESOL programmes, and Foundation Learning, supported by industry-standard facilities such as the iAero Centre for additive manufacturing and digital dental labs.

Product overview

Yeovil College operates as a tertiary further and higher education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational programmes and student support services. The core educational products include T Levels, A Levels through Kingston Sixth Form, Vocational Programmes, Apprenticeships, and University Centre (YCUC) provision with Foundation Degrees, Bachelor's Degrees, Higher National qualifications, and Postgraduate programmes. These are delivered alongside Foundation Learning and English/Maths/ESOL qualifications. Supporting services include a Moodle-based Learning Management System for online course delivery, a Careers Hub recognised as the top provider in Somerset and Devon, a Learning Resource Centre with digital databases, and the Wisdom Student Assistance Programme for wellbeing support. The college also offers an iZone information service for enquiries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• T Levels
• A Levels (Kingston Sixth Form)
• Vocational Programmes
• Apprenticeships Work-based learning programmes combining on-the-job employer training (80%) with off-the-job college study (20%), delivered across 60 curriculum areas including Engineering, Health and Social Care, Construction, Automotive, Sport, Business, and Computing. Supported by the Apprenticeship Levy and government co-investment for SMEs.
• University Centre (YCUC) Higher Education Programmes Higher education provision offering Foundation Degrees, Bachelor's Degrees, Higher National qualifications, and Postgraduate programmes, including degree apprenticeships. Delivered in partnership with the University of Gloucestershire and supported by The Open University.
• Foundation Learning Programmes designed for learners needing additional support to develop skills before progressing to further education, employment, or independent living.
• English, Maths & ESOL Programmes GCSE and Functional Skills qualifications in English, Mathematics, and English for Speakers of Other Languages, including resit courses and adult provision. Achieved a 96% GCSE pass rate in English and Maths for all ages.
• Adult Courses (Part-Time and Full-Time) Part-time and full-time courses for adults aged 19+ seeking to upskill, retrain, change careers, or gain professional qualifications. Includes Higher National Diplomas, Foundation Degrees, Degree Apprenticeships, and professional certifications.
• Dental Technician Training Programme Level 3 Laboratory Technician (Dental) programme launched in September 2022, with planned Level 5 Dental Technicians and Level 6 Enhanced Clinical Practitioner (Digital Skills) programmes. Reintroduced dental technician training to the South West for the first time since the 1980s in partnership with HEE South West.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% or 100% A Level pass rate for seven consecutive years
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration21 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Yeovil Town Football Club (YTFC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Yeovil College and Yeovil Town Football Club have reunited to launch an elite football and education pathway under the Club's new ownership. Roy O'Brien, a former Premier League footballer, has been appointed as Head of Performance Football at the Yeovil College Institute of Sport. The partnership was strengthened with the launch event at Yeovil College (YTFC x YC Launch Event) featuring a Microsoft Forms response page.
• Somerset County Council (iAero Project Lead)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 November 2022Somerset County Council led the £10 million iAero project, a five-way collaboration bringing together Leonardo UK, Markforged Inc, Yeovil College, and Mark3D UK Limited to open a state-of-the-art additive manufacturing centre at the iAero Innovation Centre in Yeovil. The 2,398m² purpose-built facility supports aerospace and high-value manufacturing SMEs across the South West of England. As a co-investor and anchor tenant, Yeovil College students access the facility alongside industry professionals.
• Markforged InccoreTechnology or Integration · 4 November 2022Markforged Inc provides the full portfolio of 3D printers for the iAero Centre including the FX20 large-format printer, processing ULTEM polymers, carbon fibre composites, tool steels, Copper, and Inconel. Their cloud-connected Digital Forge platform with Eiger software controls fleet management, provides online part verification with inspection reports, and enables desk-based accreditation via Markforged University.
• Leonardo Helicopters UKcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Leonardo Helicopters UK and Yeovil College have maintained a mutually beneficial relationship for nearly 60 years. In the 2021-22 academic year, Yeovil College supported 254 engineering apprentices, of which 127 were Leonardo apprentices (50% of the programme), representing approximately £1.2 million of income per year. The College delivers the Level 6 Engineering Degree programme in partnership with the University of Plymouth, designed to meet Leonardo's specific requirements including Computer Aided Engineering for Composites. Leonardo has welcomed Yeovil College as the first Team AW149 UK Community Member, and Leonardo plans to hire an additional 300 apprentices across the UK in 2023, bringing the total number on early careers schemes to 900.
• Health Education England South West (HEE South West)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYeovil College and HEE South West dental team are working together to reintroduce dental technician training to the South West for the first time since the 1980s. The Level 3 Laboratory Technician (Dental) programme launched in September 2022, followed by Level 5 Dental Technicians and Level 6 Enhanced Clinical Practitioner (Digital Skills). The partnership is also expanding dental nurse training to include the health T level and oral health practitioner apprenticeship.
• BAM Construction LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBAM Construction Ltd was appointed as the delivery partner by the Department for Education to oversee the £50 million+ campus redevelopment of Yeovil College. BAM will deliver a net zero carbon in operation campus based on DfE sustainability principles, using air source heat pumps, dimmable LED lighting, and buildings designed to generate sufficient electricity to meet annual electrical demands.
• The Open University (OU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYeovil College is amongst the first wave of colleges in England to receive specialist support from The Open University, backed by £10 million of UK Government funding. Over three years, the OU will help expand the number of advanced technical courses available at Yeovil College University Centre in local communities, particularly focusing on Digital Health.
• The Banks Foundation (TBF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYeovil College Creative Industry students designed a new logo for The Banks Foundation as part of a live brief. TBF is committed to helping the next generation of entrepreneurs fast-track their career ambitions by creating live briefs designed to run alongside planned college curriculum delivery, injecting real business practice into academic theory.
• University of PlymouthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe University of Plymouth partners with Yeovil College and Leonardo to deliver the Level 6 Engineering Degree programme. Specific units were originally designed to meet Leonardo requirements (e.g., Computer Aided Engineering for Composites). Students from BSc Social Work, HND Policing, and Degree Apprenticeship in Business Administration have been conferred at the annual graduation ceremony.
• Team AW149 UK (Supply Chain Alliance)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeonardo expanded Team AW149 UK to include Yeovil College as the first Community Member, representing skills and early career opportunities. Team AW149 UK is Leonardo's national alliance of onshore supply chain members supporting the AW149 helicopter bid for the UK's New Medium Helicopter requirement. Members include Aerco, Chelton, Ford Aerospace, and RDDS, all of which engage with local communities through STE[A]M initiatives.
• West of England Institute of Technology (WEIoT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYeovil College is one of 12 Institutes of Technology in the UK. The West of England IoT brings together teaching excellence, employer insights, and state-of-the-art training facilities to equip learners with higher technical skills. Partner colleges include Weston College, Bath College, City of Bristol College, and Gloucestershire College, along with the University of the West of England and Leonardo providing leadership and strategic direction.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Chesterfield College: Mid-sized UK FE college with a similar portfolio spanning A Levels, vocational programmes, apprenticeships, and higher education. Comparable in curriculum breadth, apprenticeship focus, and dependence on government funding flows.
• Gloucestershire College: West of England IoT partner college providing further education, higher education, apprenticeships, and vocational training in a comparable regional UK market. Same Institute of Technology consortium as Yeovil College.
• Bridgwater and Taunton College: Neighbouring Somerset FE college offering further education, apprenticeships, and higher education across a similar rural catchment. Comparable in scale, curriculum mix, and reliance on regional employer partnerships.
• Bath College: Another West of England IoT partner, Bath College offers further education, higher education, and apprenticeships in the same South West region. Directly comparable in curriculum breadth (FE + HE + vocational) and apprenticeship mix.
• City of Bristol College: West of England IoT partner and one of the largest FE colleges in the South West, delivering FE, HE, apprenticeships, and T Levels. Comparable institutional scale and breadth of curriculum areas to Yeovil.
• Weston College: West of England Institute of Technology partner college delivering FE, HE, and apprenticeship programmes across similar curriculum areas to Yeovil College. Both colleges sit in the same IoT consortium alongside Leonardo, making them the closest peer in scale, geography, and curriculum mix.
• New College Durham: Larger UK FE/HE college delivering a similar portfolio of A Levels, vocational, apprenticeship, and higher education programmes. Comparable in curriculum breadth, apprenticeship scale, and reliance on ESFA/DfE funding streams.
• Exeter College: Devon-based FE/HE college delivering A Levels, vocational programmes, apprenticeships, and higher education. Comparable in curriculum breadth, apprenticeship scale, and South West regional positioning.

Regional players

• PETROC (North Devon): Devon-based FE college serving a comparable rural catchment with similar FE, apprenticeship, and vocational programmes. Comparable institutional scale and regional employer-partnership model, though operating in a different county.
• Truro and Penwith College: Cornwall-based FE/HE college with a comparable profile of A Levels, vocational, apprenticeship, and higher education provision. Similar in scale (~5,000-10,000 students) and curriculum breadth but operates in a different South West region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/yeovilcollege
• Xx.com/yeovilcollege
• Facebookfacebook.com/yeovilcollege
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/yeovil-college

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Yeovil College