Peterborough Regional College

What Peterborough Regional College does

Peterborough Regional College (also trading as Peterborough College) is a Further and Higher Education institution based in Peterborough, England, founded in 1946 and operating as part of the Inspire Education Group (IEG) alongside Stamford College. The institution enrolls over 10,000 students across vocational, academic, apprenticeship, and higher education pathways, served by a workforce of 501-1,000 employees across multiple Peterborough campuses including the main Park Crescent campus, the Media & Journalism Centre on Broadway, and the JobSmart employability centre at Broadway Court.

The college delivers its offering through a product mix spanning Diplomas, T Levels (equivalent to three A Levels), Apprenticeships (training 400+ apprentices annually), Access to Higher Education, the University Centre Peterborough (40+ courses across 14 subject areas established in 2007), and 245+ courses across more than 35 subject areas. Specialised programmes include the Air and Defence College (RAF partnership), the Centre for Green Technology (EV maintenance and heat pump installation), Skills Bootcamps (Construction, Green Skills, Health & Social Care), JobSmart employability training, and Distance Learning. The underlying platform is a ProPortal/ILP learning management system for enrollment and attendance tracking, with no disclosed AI/ML capability beyond standard web analytics.

The revenue model is overwhelmingly government-funded, with primary streams flowing from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) for 16-18 and adult education, apprenticeship levy receipts via employer co-investment, and Skills Bootcamps government funding. Go-to-market is sales-led via direct enrollment through the website and open events for individual learners, and a dedicated employer portal plus 500+ local employer partnerships for apprenticeship recruitment. Minor transaction-fee income comes from a £750-per-academic-year college bus pass, uniform and equipment sales, and the Parcs Nursery. Customer segments include School Leavers (16-18), Adult Learners (19+), Employers (apprenticeship levy/Skills Bootcamps), and Professional/Career Changers pursuing AAT/ACCA qualifications. The college has been ranked in the top 3% of General Further Education Colleges for English and Maths provision and holds Ofsted, Matrix, and National Skills Academy accreditations, alongside a 2024 AoC Beacons Commended designation.

Name

Peterborough Regional College

Legal name

Peterborough College

Website

https://peterborough.ac.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Peterborough Regional College is a UK Further and Higher Education institution in Peterborough, part of Inspire Education Group, serving over 10,000 students and 500+ regional employers through vocational diplomas, apprenticeships, T Levels, Access to HE, university degrees, and government-funded Skills Bootcamps.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Further and Higher Education

NAICS

Educational Services (61), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Apprenticeship Training (611513), Junior Colleges (611210)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Urban/Metropolitan Community Colleges (EDAHADAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Workforce Development & Continuing Education Divisions (Noncredit) (EDAHADAG), Work-Based Learning Programs (Internships, Apprenticeships, Community-Based Instruction) (EDAKANAF), University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA)

Keywords

• Further education
• Vocational training
• Apprenticeship programmes
• Higher education
• Technical qualifications

Headquarters

HQ city

Peterborough

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government-funded Further Education: Primary revenue from government funding for 16-18 and adult education courses, Skills Bootcamps, and apprenticeships. Funded through the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).
2. Apprenticeship Levy Contributions: Employers with annual wage bills over £3 million contribute to apprenticeship training through the apprenticeship levy system.
3. Transport and Ancillary Services: Bus pass sales at £750 per academic year, uniform and equipment purchases, nursery services at Parcs Nursery.
4. Course Fees: Some professional qualifications and distance learning courses may have associated fees. Some courses free for eligible adults.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Peterborough College is a Further and Higher Education institution offering vocational qualifications, T Levels, Apprenticeships, Access to Higher Education, and university-level degrees through its subsidiary University Centre Peterborough. It serves school leavers aged 16-18, adult learners aged 19+, and employers seeking apprenticeship and workforce development, with delivery via on-campus, distance learning, and work-based modes across 245+ courses spanning 14+ subject areas.

Product overview

Peterborough College is a Further and Higher Education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational products and services. The core offerings include vocational Diplomas, Apprenticeships (training over 400 apprentices), T Levels (equivalent to 3 A Levels), and Access to Higher Education courses. Specialised programmes include the Air and Defence College (in partnership with the RAF), University Centre Peterborough (40+ higher education courses), and the Centre for Green Technology. The institution also provides flexible learning options through Distance Learning (NCFE courses), Skills Bootcamps (free 16-week programmes), and Professional Qualifications. Student support services include JobSmart Employability Training, Learner Engagement, Inclusive Learning, ESOL, and English/Maths GCSE/Functional Skills courses. Together, these products serve school leavers (16-18), adults (19+), and employers, spanning over 35 subject areas from animal care to travel and tourism.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• University Centre Peterborough (UCP): Higher education institution delivering degree courses and professional qualifications as part of Inspire Education Group.
• Air and Defence College
• JobSmart

Products and services

• Diplomas Hands-on, vocational qualifications focusing on a specific subject or industry skill set, providing practical coursework routes into employment or further study.
• Apprenticeships Work-based learning programmes combining on-the-job training with formal college learning for apprentices across industries including hairdressing, engineering, childcare, construction, and business support; trains 400+ apprentices.
• T Levels Two-year technical qualifications designed with employers, equivalent to three A Levels, combining classroom learning with a mandatory 45-day industry placement.
• Air and Defence College Employer-led programme in partnership with the Royal Air Force designed to fast-track 16-19 year olds into aerospace, engineering, or uniformed services careers combining academic study with industry projects.
• Access to Higher Education Level 3 courses for adults aged 19+ who lack traditional qualifications, preparing them for university study in Health, Social Science, or Business subject areas.
• Distance Learning Flexible online NCFE courses covering business studies, computing/cyber security, health and nutrition, mental health, working with children and other subjects for self-paced remote study.
• Skills Bootcamps Free, flexible up-to-16-week courses for adults aged 19+ in Construction, Green Skills, and Health & Social Care with a guaranteed job interview upon completion.
• University Centre Peterborough (UCP) Higher education institution offering 40+ courses across 14 subject areas delivering HNCs, HNDs, and degrees with small class sizes and personalised attention.
• Professional Qualifications Part-time courses for adults in Accounting (AAT, ACCA), Legal Studies, Management, Childcare, Health and Social Care, and Teaching, designed for career advancement.
• JobSmart Employability Training Employability training programmes partnering with 500+ local employers, recruitment agencies and Job Centre Plus to assist job seekers through ESOL Jobsmart, Taxi Competency, Security, Food Safety, ICT, HGV, First Aid and Support into Work courses.
• Centre for Green Technology Specialised electrical and plumbing training facility for adults focusing on green economy skills including EV maintenance and heat pump installation.
• ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Courses for non-native English speakers from basic to advanced levels, covering reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills for social and professional environments.
• English and Maths GCSE/Functional Skills Free online Functional Skills and GCSE courses for adults aged 19+ to improve literacy and numeracy, studied from home with weekly materials provided.

Quantifiable outcome

• Top 3% ranking among GFE Colleges for English and Maths provision
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Royal Air Force (RAF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to deliver Air & Defence College programme for 16-19 year olds. Employer-led training in aerospace, engineering, and RAF careers combining academic study with real-world industry projects and specialised technical training.
• Job Centre PluscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to arrange courses for specific employers through sector-based work academies. Designed to give unemployed job seekers best chance of success at interview with guaranteed job interview upon completion.
• Peterborough City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Taxi Competency Course delivery meeting requirements set by the council.
• Rutland County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Taxi Competency Course delivery meeting requirements set by the council.
• Anglia Professional Training (APT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Inspire Education Group situated at University Centre Peterborough. Provides full range of Accountancy qualifications from foundation to professional level (AAT, ACCA).
• Peterborough CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Skills Bootcamps delivery. Funding partner for government-funded training programmes.
• The Kite TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership for delivery of Rainbow Flag Award - LGBTQ+ youth inclusion programme.
• City of Sanctuary UKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for College of Sanctuary designation - welcoming and supporting people seeking sanctuary.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• New College Stamford: Sister college to Peterborough under Inspire Education Group. Direct comparable UK Further Education college operating in nearby Stamford/Lincolnshire with similar vocational, apprenticeship and Access to HE offerings and shared group infrastructure.
• Loughborough College: Regional FE college in Leicestershire offering vocational qualifications, apprenticeships, and higher education in partnership with regional universities. Comparable scale, curriculum mix, and apprenticeship delivery model to Peterborough College.
• Cambridge Regional College: Directly comparable UK Further Education college located in neighbouring Cambridgeshire. Similar curriculum mix of vocational Diplomas, T Levels, apprenticeships, Access to HE and Adult Learning serving regional employers and adult learners in the same catchment.
• The College of West Anglia: Regional FE college based in King's Lynn serving Norfolk and Cambridgeshire with similar Further Education, apprenticeship, and higher education offerings via a University Centre subsidiary — comparable scale and geographic remit to Peterborough College.
• City College Norwich: UK Further Education college based in Norfolk offering vocational, apprenticeship, Access to HE and adult education programmes with a comparable scale and institutional structure; directly analogous to Peterborough's regional FE college model.
• Lincoln College: Larger Further Education college in Lincoln offering vocational courses, apprenticeships, higher education programmes, and adult community learning. Similar institutional model with multiple campuses and broader subject coverage; useful comparator for HE and apprenticeship scale.
• Grimsby Institute: Further Education college in north-east Lincolnshire, part of the TEC Partnership. Similar offerings in vocational training, apprenticeships, adult education, and Access to HE; relevant peer for comparing English/Maths outcomes and apprenticeship scale.
• Boston College (UK): UK Further Education college in Lincolnshire offering vocational qualifications, apprenticeships, HE access programmes and adult learning. Similar employer partnership profile and rural/coastal geography compared with Peterborough College's regional catchment.

Broad incumbents

• Activate Learning: UK Further Education group operating multiple colleges including City of Oxford College and Banbury and Bicester College. Wider portfolio spanning further education, apprenticeships, and higher-level skills at greater scale — analogous group structure to Inspire Education Group.
• NCG (Newcastle College Group): National Further Education college group operating multiple UK colleges (e.g., Newcastle College, West Lancashire College, Kidderminster College). Comparable multi-college group structure to Inspire Education Group, but at greater geographic scale and with broader portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/prclatest
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/peterboroughcollege
• Facebookfacebook.com/peterboroughregionalcollege
• LinkedInuk.linkedin.com/school/peterboroughcollege
• Instagraminstagram.com/peterboroughcollege

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A1 record

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Peterborough Regional College