Preston's College
Preston's College is a UK further education college in Preston, Lancashire, founded in 1974, delivering vocational, apprenticeship, adult, and higher education courses to school leavers, adults, employers, and HE students across the Lancashire region.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1974
- HeadquartersPreston, United Kingdom
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Preston's College does
Preston's College (legally 'Preston College') is a UK further education college founded in 1974 and headquartered at the Fulwood Campus in Preston, Lancashire. It delivers a broad portfolio of vocational and academic courses to four primary customer segments: school leavers aged 16-19, adult learners, employers (primarily through apprenticeship and T-Level programs), and higher education students. Core product lines include 16-19 study programs across more than 20 subject areas (engineering, construction, health and social care, hair and beauty, business, science, digital, performing arts, T-Levels), apprenticeship pathways co-designed with employers, adult part-time and full-time courses, and higher education programs (HNCs, HNDs, foundation degrees, BSc top-ups) validated through the University of Central Lancashire and awarding bodies such as Pearson, City & Guilds, and AAT. The college operates specialized facilities including the iSTEM Centre (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), the Elements training salon, a hospital ward simulation suite, and a sports centre, and is a member of the Lancashire & Cumbria Institute of Technology consortium delivering Higher Technical Qualifications.
The business model is a hybrid of publicly funded and fee-based revenue. Government education funding (via the Department for Education / ESFA), apprenticeship levy income, and means-tested bursaries underwrite a substantial portion of activity, particularly for 16-19 provision and funded adult learning. Direct fee revenue comes from professional qualifications (e.g., TAQA units at £275 each), adult leisure and vocational courses (e.g., ESOL at £175 per qualification, with reductions for low-income learners), higher education tuition, and employer-paid workforce upskilling. Go-to-market is sales-led and event-driven: a comprehensive website with online application, open events for prospective students, employer breakfasts, careers fairs, and a dedicated Employer Engagement Team drive apprenticeship and T-Level recruitment. Distribution is regional (Preston and Lancashire) via campus-based learning, online/distance learning for select programs (e.g., Pharmacy), and workplace-based apprenticeship delivery.
The college is a not-for-profit further education institution with charitable status, governed by a board of governors and led by a leadership team. It holds Ofsted Good Provider status, the Association of Colleges Beacon Award, Investors in People, Matrix, and the Quality in Careers Standard, and is a Disability Confident Employer and Stonewall School and College Champion. The college's stated growth narrative emphasizes 'over 17 years of exceptional growth' and a 66% First Class Honours rate among adult higher education students, though financial details are not publicly disclosed.
Preston's College firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Preston's College
- Legal name
- Preston College
- Website
- https://preston.ac.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1974
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Preston's College is a UK further education college in Preston, Lancashire, founded in 1974, delivering vocational, apprenticeship, adult, and higher education courses to school leavers, adults, employers, and HE students across the Lancashire region.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Preston's College industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Further Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Educational Services (61), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Junior Colleges (Associate-Degree Granting) (EDAHADAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Workforce Development & Continuing Education Divisions (Noncredit) (EDAHADAG), Professional & Applied Skills Noncredit Certificates (Non-licensure) (EDAAAEAD), Career Readiness & College Prep (In-School) (EDAJAFAM)
Keywords
Where Preston's College is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Preston
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Preston's College business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
Revenue model
- Course Tuition Fees: Fees charged for various courses including professional qualifications, vocational training, and higher education programs. Some courses have government funding or bursary support available for eligible students.
- Professional Course Fees: Individual unit pricing for professional qualifications such as TAQA courses at £275 per unit.
- ESOL Course Fees: ESOL courses priced at £175 for all qualifications, with potential fee reductions for those on benefits or low income.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | TAQA Level 3 and Level 4 units at £275 each |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | ESOL courses at £175 per qualification |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Additional equipment costs for Science courses |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Preston's College product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Preston's College is a UK further education college delivering classroom-based and work-based learning for school leavers (16-19), adult learners, apprentices, and higher education students. It offers vocational qualifications, A-Level equivalents, T-Levels, apprenticeships, Access to HE, foundation degrees, HNCs/HNDs, and professional certifications (e.g., AAT, TAQA) across disciplines such as accounting, construction, engineering, health and social care, science, hairdressing/beauty, and digital/green skills.
Product overview
Preston College is a Further Education college offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational products and services across four main segments: School Leavers (16-19) courses, Apprenticeships, Adult Education, and Higher Education through its University Centre. The college operates specialized facilities including the iSTEM Centre for science and engineering, Elements Training School for hair and beauty, and a Sports Centre. Key sub-brands include the Lancashire & Cumbria Institute of Technology (technical education), Green Skills courses (sustainability training), TAQA qualifications, and Photography and Digital Media & AI courses. The institution provides additional services including student support, careers guidance, and employer engagement programmes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- School Leavers (16-19) Courses Further education courses for students aged 16-19 covering vocational and academic subjects such as Accounting, Art & Design, Automotive Technologies, Barbering, Beauty Therapy, Business, Childcare, Construction, Engineering, ESOL, Hairdressing, Health & Social Care, ICT & Digital, Media, Performing Arts, Science, Sport, and T-Levels.
- Apprenticeships Work-based learning programmes enabling students to earn while they learn across sectors including Accounting, Automotive Technologies, Beauty Therapy, Building Services Engineering, Business, Construction, Dental, Engineering, Hairdressing, Higher Apprenticeships, Leadership & Management, Pharmacy, Science, and Warehousing.
- Adult Education Courses Part-time and full-time courses for adult learners covering Access to HE, Accounting, AM2 Assessments, Automotive Technologies, Barbering, Beauty Therapy, Business, Cake Baking and Decorating, Community Interpreting, Construction, Counselling, Creative Craft, Digital Skills, English, ESOL, Hairdressing, Health & Safety, Health & Social Care, Languages, Leadership & Management, Maths, Pharmacy, Photography and Digital Media & AI, Science, TAQA, Teaching Assistant, Teaching/Training/Assessing, and Welding.
- University Centre / Higher Education Higher education programmes including degrees, foundation degrees, HNCs, HNDs, and professional qualifications in Accounting, Business, Construction, Counselling, Engineering, Health & Safety, Health & Social Care (Mental Health), Higher Apprenticeships, Leadership & Management, Pharmacy, Professional Dance, TAQA, and Teaching/Training/Assessing. Developed in collaboration with the University of Central Lancashire, Pearson, AAT, and leading employers.
- Lancashire & Cumbria Institute of Technology (L&CIoT) Technical education programmes focused on advanced manufacturing, digital, construction, and engineering sectors, providing Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) and industry-aligned skills training as part of a multi-college consortium.
- Green Skills Courses Sustainable and environmental skills training covering retrofit and energy efficiency, renewable energy systems, electric and hybrid vehicles, and net zero technologies. Includes courses such as Hybrid Vehicle & EV Maintenance and Electric Vehicle Charge Point Installation, potentially funded via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
- TAQA (Training, Assessment and Quality Assurance) Qualifications Nationally recognised qualifications awarded by City & Guilds for professionals involved in the assessment and quality assurance of vocational training. Includes Level 3 Awards (Units 301/302/303) for assessors and Level 4 Awards (Units 401/402) for internal quality assurance, priced at £275 per unit.
- iSTEM Centre Multi-million pound purpose-built facility housing science laboratories, engineering workshops, and welding bays. Provides a practical learning environment for science, engineering, and advanced manufacturing courses.
- Elements Training School On-site commercial hair and beauty salon providing hands-on training for hairdressing, barbering, and beauty therapy students in a real working environment.
- Employer Services Services for employers including apprenticeship hiring, T-Level and industry placements, workforce upskilling through CPD, Learning & Skills Mentors, AM2 assessments, sector advisory groups, and employer events, delivered through a dedicated Employer Engagement Team.
Companies that use Preston's College
Customer profileSegments4 records
Preston's College technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Preston's College partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- University of Central Lancashire (UCLan)corePartnership with University of Central Lancashire for validation of Foundation Degrees and BSc (Hons) Top-Up courses in Counselling and other programs. Students can progress to complete degrees at the partner university.
- Lancashire & Cumbria Institute of Technology (L&CIoT)coreMulti-college consortium providing technical education for tomorrow's careers, offering Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) and industry-aligned programs in engineering, construction, and digital technology sectors.
- City & GuildscoreAwarding body for professional qualifications including TAQA (Training, Assessment and Quality Assurance) courses, providing nationally recognized credentials for assessment professionals.
- PearsoncoreAwarding organization for BTEC qualifications including HNC, HND, and professional diplomas in various subject areas.
- AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians)coreProfessional body providing accounting qualifications from Level 2 through Level 4, with the college's accounting department being award-winning.
- NHS and Regional Health ProviderscoreDirect industry links with NHS and over 400 regional health and social care providers for work placements, curriculum development, and graduate employment pathways.
- Eric Wright Learning FoundationminorCharitable foundation supporting construction students with awards and recognition events, providing industry connections and student bursaries.
- iSTEM CentrecorePurpose-built facility for science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, providing multi-functional laboratories and bespoke classrooms for practical learning.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Preston's College competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Myerscough College: Lancashire-based FE and HE college with a strong specialism in agriculture, sport, and outdoor education; comparable in governance/funding model and broader FE positioning, though more niche.
- Wigan and Leigh College: Greater Manchester-based FE college with a similar vocational, apprenticeship, and HE portfolio. Comparable on business model and learner segments, with a partly overlapping but distinct North West geography.
- Hugh Baird College: Merseyside-based general FE college offering 16-19, adult, apprenticeship, and HE programmes. Comparable operating model, with limited geographic overlap with Preston.
Direct peers
- Blackburn College: East Lancashire FE college providing vocational, apprenticeship, and higher education courses to a similar learner and employer base, in direct competition for Lancashire catchment learners.
- Burnley College: East Lancashire FE college with broad vocational, apprenticeship, and HE provision, including STEM and employer-facing programmes. Direct competitor for Lancashire learners and apprentices.
- Runshaw College: High-performing Lancashire FE college (16-19 and adult provision) with strong A-Level/vocational mix and apprenticeship delivery. Closely comparable on quality-of-education profile and Lancashire catchment.
- Lancaster and Morecambe College: North Lancashire general FE college offering 16-19, adult, apprenticeship, and HE programmes; competes for the same Lancashire learner pool and employer engagement.
- Blackpool and The Fylde College: Lancashire-based general further education college offering 16-19, adult, apprenticeship, and HE provision. Directly comparable in scope, customer segments, and geographic catchment to Preston College.
Broad incumbents
- NCG (Newcastle College Group): Multi-college FE/HE group operating several UK FE colleges. Comparable in underlying further-education business model and segments; larger and more geographically diversified than Preston College.
- University of Central Lancashire (UCLan): Lancashire's main university and a validating partner for Preston's Foundation Degrees and BSc Top-Ups. Comparable as a regional higher-education provider, but operates at a much larger scale and broader portfolio.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Preston's College social profiles
Digital presencePreston's College compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance8 records
Preston's College financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Preston's College leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Preston's College funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Preston's College M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Preston's College
What does Preston's College do?
Preston's College is a UK further education college delivering classroom-based and work-based learning for school leavers (16-19), adult learners, apprentices, and higher education students. It offers vocational qualifications, A-Level equivalents, T-Levels, apprenticeships, Access to HE, foundation degrees, HNCs/HNDs, and professional certifications (e.g., AAT, TAQA) across disciplines such as accounting, construction, engineering, health and social care, science, hairdressing/beauty, and digital/green skills.
Is Preston's College a public or private company?
Preston's College is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Preston's College founded?
Preston's College was founded in 1974. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Preston's College based?
Preston's College is headquartered in Preston, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Preston's College make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Course Tuition Fees are the primary driver. The others are professional Course Fees and ESOL Course Fees.
Who are Preston's College's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Myerscough College, Wigan and Leigh College and Hugh Baird College. Direct peers are Blackburn College, Burnley College, Runshaw College, Lancaster and Morecambe College and Blackpool and The Fylde College. Broad incumbents are NCG (Newcastle College Group) and University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).
Does Preston's College have an API?
No public API is recorded for Preston's College.
What industry is Preston's College in?
Preston's College's product category is Further Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHADAC, Junior Colleges (Associate-Degree Granting), with a secondary code of EDAHADAG, Workforce Development & Continuing Education Divisions (Noncredit). Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.