Bournemouth and Poole College

What Bournemouth and Poole College does

Bournemouth and Poole College is a UK further education college founded in 1913, headquartered on North Road in Poole, and operating three campuses: the Poole main campus, the Bournemouth Lansdowne Road Campus (including the new £37m Compass Building and Escoffier Restaurant opened in 2025), and the Fulcrum Centre. It delivers vocational courses, T Levels, apprenticeships, foundation learning programmes, and degree-level qualifications across entry level through Level 8 for school leavers aged 16-18, adult learners aged 19+, and students with additional learning needs.

The college provides over 30 apprenticeship types across 10 sectors and is the largest apprenticeship provider in the region, working with over 2,000 employer partners including The Ritz, RNLI, Sunseeker International, Eaton plc, Hall & Woodhouse, and local NHS Trusts. Degree-level programmes are validated by Bournemouth University and hold professional accreditation from the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) and Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) for 2025-2029 intakes. Digital infrastructure is built on third-party platforms including a Moodle Student Portal, ProSolution and ProMonitor student management systems, Vision Reports analytics, a Digital Library, and Microsoft Copilot for AI-assisted teaching and learning support.

The revenue model is a mix of ESFA and government-funded tuition for under-19s and eligible adults, apprenticeship levy and employer co-investment revenue, Advanced Learner Loans administered via the Student Loan Company, college-administered bursaries (Vulnerable Bursary, Discretionary Bursary, 19+ Discretionary Learner Support Fund), and full-cost fees for self-funded adult courses such as Next Steps Leisure and Engineering Level 1. The go-to-market combines direct walk-in and phone enrollment through a Welcome Team call center, online self-service applications, on-campus open events, employer-mediated apprenticeship recruitment, and UCAS routes for some higher education courses. Outcomes are strong, with 96% of students progressing to employment or further study and over 90% of surveyed students recommending the college.

Name

Bournemouth and Poole College

Legal name

Bournemouth & Poole College

Website

https://thecollege.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1913

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Bournemouth and Poole College is a UK further education college operating three campuses (Poole, Bournemouth, Fulcrum) delivering vocational courses, T Levels, apprenticeships across 10 sectors, and degree-level programmes for school leavers, adult learners, and SEND students, working with over 2,000 employers regionally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Further and Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Junior Colleges (61121), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive Community Colleges (Transfer + Workforce) (EDAHADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Polytechnic & Applied Sciences Universities (EDAHAEAB), Junior Colleges (Associate-Degree Granting) (EDAHADAC), Mentorship & Coaching (Career, Academic, Industry-Specific) (EDAMAKAA)

Keywords

• Further education college
• Vocational training programmes
• Apprenticeship training
• T Level qualifications
• Higher education courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Poole

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Tuition: Government-funded education for students under 19 years old and eligible adults, with funding from ESFA and other government bodies. Course fees may be waived for eligible students based on age and course level.
2. Student Bursaries and Financial Support: College-administered bursary funds for students with greatest financial needs, including Vulnerable Bursary, Discretionary Bursary, 19+ Discretionary Learner Support Fund, and Advanced Learner Loan bursaries.
3. Apprenticeship Levy and Employer Contributions: Revenue from apprenticeship programs where employers contribute through the apprenticeship levy or co-investment. College works with over 2,000 employers providing apprenticeship training across 10 sectors.
4. Full-Cost Course Fees: Self-funded students paying full tuition fees for non-government-funded programs. Fee-based courses include Next Steps Leisure (£1,195-£3,585 per year), NCFE Level 3 Diploma (£2,225), and Engineering Certificate (£150-£195).
5. Advanced Learner Loans: Government-backed loans for learners aged 19+ studying Level 3-6 qualifications, administered by the Student Loan Company. Loan repayment begins after course completion when income exceeds threshold.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Bournemouth and Poole College delivers further and higher education across three campuses, offering vocational courses, apprenticeships (over 30 across 10 sectors), T Levels, foundation learning, and degree-level qualifications for school leavers, adult learners, and employers. It works with more than 2,000 business partners and combines classroom instruction with industry placements, professional accreditation, and substantial specialist facilities.

Product overview

Bournemouth and Poole College offers a comprehensive further and higher education portfolio serving school leavers, adults, and employers. The college provides a unified educational platform consisting of vocational courses, apprenticeships (over 30 across 10 sectors), T Levels, foundation learning programmes, and degree-level courses. Key products include vocational qualifications, apprenticeship programmes working with 2,000+ employers, and T Levels combining classroom theory with industry placements. Student-facing digital services include the Moodle learning portal and Parent Carer Portal. The college operates across three campuses (Poole, Bournemouth, and Fulcrum) and recently invested £37m in the new Compass Building featuring state-of-the-art facilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Escoffier Restaurant: State-of-the-art culinary training restaurant at the Bournemouth Campus
• Specialised Chefs Programme
• University Centre
• Foundation STEPs and LEAP

Products and services

• Vocational Courses Full-time vocational qualifications across multiple subject areas including Art and Design, Automotive, Engineering, Health, and more, designed for school leavers and those seeking practical career-focused education.
• Apprenticeships Job-based training programmes combining work and study, offering over 30 different apprenticeships across 10 sectors including degree-level apprenticeships in Nursing and Engineering, with the college working with over 2,000 employers.
• T Levels Technical qualifications equivalent to 3 A levels, combining classroom learning with industry placements, including pathways in Business, Digital, Education and Early Years, Engineering, and Health.
• Foundation Learning Programmes for students who may not have decided on a specific career path or need more opportunities to develop skills for study and work, including STEPs and LEAP programmes for students with learning difficulties and disabilities.
• Degree Level Courses Higher education programmes including Foundation Degrees, HNC, HND, BA (Hons) and BSc (Hons) courses, designed for progression to university or career advancement.
• Free Online Courses Government-funded nationally recognised online qualifications for adults, covering areas such as counselling skills, business improvement, mental health, and environmental awareness, with no exams required.
• Specialised Chefs Programme Culinary education programme delivered in partnership with the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts (RACA), led by Michelin-starred chef Steve Drake as Master of Culinary Arts Education, providing one of the UK's most respected routes into professional cookery.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% of students either got a job or moved onto higher level study
• +3 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

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Royal Academy of Culinary Arts (RACA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2026Bournemouth and Poole College delivers the Specialised Chefs Programme in partnership with the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts (RACA). For over 35 years, the course has developed excellent young chefs through rigorous training and structured industry experience. The partnership provides strategic and academic leadership to one of the UK's most respected routes into professional cookery. Michelin-starred chef Steve Drake joined as Master of Culinary Arts Education to lead the programme.
• Hall & WoodhousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHall & Woodhouse operates a Level 3 Senior Production Chef Apprenticeship programme with the college. Five apprentices completed eight months of intensive training culminating in a MasterChef Skills competition at the Escoffier Restaurant. Partnership includes new cohort of up to 16 apprentices starting September with further intake around February 2027. Apprentices compete for Hall & Woodhouse Apprentice of the Year title.
• The RitzminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ritz is one of the major national employers partnered with the college for apprenticeship provision.
• RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRNLI is one of the major local employers partnered with the college for apprenticeship provision.
• Farrow and BallminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFarrow and Ball is one of the major local employers partnered with the college for apprenticeship provision.
• Eaton plccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEaton plc sponsors a classroom at the college and is a key employer partner providing apprenticeship opportunities. The partnership includes facility sponsorship and workforce development collaboration.
• Diverse AbilitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiverse Abilities is a major local employer partnered with the college for apprenticeship provision in the healthcare/disability support sector.
• Sunseeker InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSunseeker International is a major marine employer partnered with the college, particularly for marine engineering apprenticeships. Supports the Marine Technology Centre facilities.
• Bournemouth UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBournemouth University validates the college's Degree Apprenticeship in Engineering programmes. Students complete Years 4-5 of BEng Degree at Bournemouth University. Professional accreditation from IED and IMechE for 2025-2029 intake years.
• NHS (Local Trusts)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollege is the chosen provider for Nursing Associate training, working closely with local NHS Trust primary and social care providers. Provides routes into the NHS through FdSc Nursing Associate apprenticeship.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Babington Group: Babington is a UK training provider specializing in apprenticeships and vocational qualifications across multiple sectors. Comparable employer-mediated apprenticeship model and B2B training focus.
• Lifetime Training: Lifetime Training is a major UK apprenticeship training provider working with employers across multiple sectors. Comparable B2B apprenticeship delivery model and employer-funded revenue stream.
• City of Bath College: City of Bath College is a West of England FE college offering vocational courses, apprenticeships, T Levels, and higher education. Comparable in scale, program breadth, and employer engagement model.
• Yeovil College: Yeovil College is a Somerset-based further education college providing vocational qualifications, apprenticeships, and degree-level courses. Comparable regional FE college serving a similar employer base and student demographic in the South West.
• Exeter College: Exeter College is a South West England further education college offering vocational courses, apprenticeships, T Levels, and higher education. Direct regional peer with similar product mix, employer partnerships, and student segments.
• Weston College: Weston College is a large South West FE college with significant apprenticeship provision and employer partnerships. Direct peer with comparable employer-mediated B2B revenue model and regional positioning.
• Wiltshire College & University Centre: Wiltshire College is a multi-campus further education college in the South West offering vocational, apprenticeship, T Level, and degree-level provision. Similar scale and comprehensive pathway structure.

Regional players

• Bournemouth University: Bournemouth University validates Bournemouth and Poole College's degree apprenticeships and serves as the local higher education institution. Regional peer that both partners with and partially competes with the college for adult learners.
• Southampton City College: Southampton City College is a Hampshire-based FE college serving the South Central region. Regional peer with comparable vocational and apprenticeship offerings, though geographically adjacent rather than overlapping.

Broad incumbents

• LTE Group (The Manchester College): LTE Group is one of the UK's largest social enterprise education groups operating multiple FE colleges including The Manchester College. Operates in the same FE/apprenticeship space at significantly larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bpcollege
• Facebookfacebook.com/BPCollege
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bournemouth-and-poole-college

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Bournemouth and Poole College