What Sparsholt College does

Sparsholt College Hampshire is a UK Further Education and Higher Education institution specialising in land-based industries, founded in 1899 (originally as Hampshire County Agricultural College) and headquartered on a 183-hectare countryside campus near Winchester, Hampshire. It operates through the Sparsholt College Group structure, which encompasses Sparsholt College, Andover College, University Centre Sparsholt (the higher education arm offering degrees validated by the University of Portsmouth), and The Corporate College (corporate training and business services). The institution delivers full-time vocational courses, apprenticeships, T Levels, Skills Bootcamps, Access to Higher Education, undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, and bespoke business training across agriculture, animal and zoo management, equine studies, veterinary nursing, fisheries and aquaculture, conservation, horticulture, arboriculture, sport, and related land-based sectors.

The institution does not sell technology; its core 'platform' is a physical estate of teaching farms, the Animal Health and Welfare Research Centre (BIAZA-accredited, housing 600+ animals from 100+ species), the Aquatic Research and Conservation Centre, an Equine Centre (BHS-approved), a Racewood Eventing Simulator, and a Veterinary Nursing Centre. Degree programmes are validated by the University of Portsmouth under a December 2016 arrangement, with curriculum delivered on-site at University Centre Sparsholt.

Revenue derives primarily from UK government funding (Education and Skills Funding Agency grants, Apprenticeship Levy, National Skills Fund subsidies for Skills Bootcamps), annual tuition fees (£9,525/year for most UK/EU undergraduates, £13,000/year for international undergraduates, £7,500/year for Master's degrees, £4,990/year for Access to HE), employer fees for apprenticeships and Sparsholt Business Training, and ancillary commercial income from campus conferences, events, dog boarding/grooming, and online courses. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via UCAS, the college website, email/postal applications, and a portfolio of open events, with a separate employer channel through Sparsholt Business Training. The current Principal and Chief Executive is Julie Milburn, succeeding Tim Jackson, who served 22 years and was awarded an OBE in 2021.

Name

Sparsholt College

Legal name

Sparsholt College Hampshire

Website

https://sparsholt.ac.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1899

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Sparsholt College Hampshire is a UK land-based Further and Higher Education institution on a 183-hectare campus near Winchester, delivering vocational courses, apprenticeships, degrees and postgraduate programmes in agriculture, animal and zoo management, equine, veterinary nursing and conservation to 16+ students, adult learners, and employers across Hampshire.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Winchester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Undergraduate Tuition Fees: Annual tuition fees charged to UK/EU undergraduate students for degree programmes. Full-time courses charged at £9,525 per year (except Veterinary Nursing FdSc at £7,190). International students pay £13,000 per year for most courses.
2. Postgraduate Tuition Fees: Annual tuition fees for Master's degree programmes at £7,500 with 10% discount for progressing Sparsholt undergraduate students. Part-time MSc programmes charged at £3,750 per year.
3. Access to Higher Education: Fees for Access to Higher Education courses at £4,990 per year for UK/EU students, £9,370 for international students. Funded via Advanced Learner Loan for aged 19+.
4. Business Training and Professional Courses: Sparsholt Business Training offers professional courses including CMI Management & Leadership, City & Guilds welding qualifications, andSkills Bootcamps. Free for individuals, 90% funded for SMEs through government's National Skills Fund.
5. Skills Bootcamps: Government-funded skills bootcamps in land-based industries including Butchery, Greenkeeping, Horticulture, Tree Surgery, and Urban Greening & Biodiversity. Free for individuals, with employer co-investment for larger businesses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Sparsholt College is a Further and Higher Education institution delivering land-based education and training, including full-time vocational courses (Level 1-3), T Levels, apprenticeships, and Skills Bootcamps for students aged 14+. Its University Centre Sparsholt arm offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes validated by the University of Portsmouth, with specialisations in Agriculture, Animal Science, Zoo Biology, Equine Science, Fisheries/Aquaculture, Veterinary Nursing, and Wildlife Ecology. Sparsholt Business Training provides CMI, City & Guilds, and government-funded Skills Bootcamps for employers and adult learners.

Product overview

Sparsholt College and University Centre Sparsholt operates as a land-based further and higher education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational products and services. The offering spans full-time vocational courses (Level 1-3), apprenticeships, T Levels, and Skills Bootcamps for students aged 14+. The college's higher education arm, University Centre Sparsholt, provides undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes validated by the University of Portsmouth in six subject areas: Agriculture, Animal Science and Zoo Biology, Equestrian Science and Performance Management, Fisheries/Aquaculture/Marine Studies, Veterinary Nursing Science, and Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. Supporting products include the National Zoo Academy (BIAZA-accredited animal facilities), the Sparsholt Football Academy (Chelsea FC Foundation partnership), Business Training programmes, Industry Placements, and campus conference facilities. The institution serves both domestic students and employers across Hampshire with its 183-hectare countryside campus near Winchester.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Full-Time Courses
• Part-Time and Adult Courses
• Apprenticeships
• T Levels
• Skills Bootcamps
• Sparsholt Business Training
• University Centre Sparsholt
• National Zoo Academy
• Sparsholt Football Academy
• 14-16 Programme
• Conferences and Events
• Dog Boarding and Dog Grooming

Quantifiable outcome

• 93% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduation (2024 Graduate Outcomes Survey)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Chelsea FC FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 January 2022The Sparsholt Football Academy signed with the Chelsea Football Club Foundation, the charitable arm of Chelsea FC. The partnership provides coaching sessions with Chelsea FC Foundation coaches, visits to Stamford Bridge, and recognition through one of the country's leading charitable programmes. Students compete under the Chelsea FC Foundation banner in national leagues.
• University of PortsmouthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity Centre Sparsholt was created in December 2016 as the new name for the college's Higher Education programmes, which are validated by the University of Portsmouth. The university validates all degree programmes offered through UCS and provides academic oversight and quality assurance.
• ZSL London and Whipsnade ZoocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partnership for Animal Science and Zoo Biology programmes, providing work placements and industry experience opportunities.
• Chester ZoocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor zoo industry partnership supporting animal science and zoo biology education with placement and research opportunities.
• LongleatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSafari park partnership providing industry links and placement opportunities for animal management students.
• Dudley ZoocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZoo partnership supporting animal science programmes with industry exposure and work experience.
• Blackpool ZoocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZoo industry partnership for animal science and zoo biology student placements.
• Woburn Safari ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSafari park partnership providing industry experience opportunities for students.
• Cotswolds Wildlife ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWildlife park partnership supporting conservation and animal management education.
• BIAZAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBritish and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums membership. The Animal Health and Welfare Research Centre is BIAZA-accredited, representing the gold standard for zoo industry education.
• The British Horse Society (BHS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBHS approval for the Equine Centre, providing professional accreditation and industry recognition for equestrian programmes.
• The Jockey ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting equestrian science programmes with industry connections and placement opportunities.
• National Farmers' UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgriculture industry partnership supporting farming education and student placements.
• Royal College of Veterinary SurgeonscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional body partnership for Veterinary Nursing programmes, with Matthew Rendle RVN attending graduation to lead the pledge for new Veterinary Nursing Students.
• LandexcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTim Jackson is founding Chairman of Landex (Land Based Colleges and Universities Aspiring to Excellence), the professional body for land-based colleges.
• GuildHEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembership in GuildHE, the mission-led higher education association, alongside university peers.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Capel Manor College: London's specialist land-based college focused on animal care, horticulture, arboriculture and environmental conservation. Comparable in land-based specialism and FE model, albeit serving a primarily urban catchment.
• Askham Bryan College: Yorkshire-based further and higher education college with agriculture, animal management, horticulture and veterinary nursing. Directly comparable to Sparsholt in land-based subject portfolio and validated degree delivery.
• Plumpton College: Sussex-based further and higher education college specialising in agriculture, animal management, horticulture, equine and wine. Direct peer in subject mix, FE/HE dual delivery model, and land-based specialism.
• Bishop Burton College: East Yorkshire further education college with agriculture, animal management, equine and sport programmes. Comparable to Sparsholt in land-based subject breadth and FE/HE dual delivery.
• Myerscough College: Lancashire-based land-based further and higher education college with agriculture, animal science, sport and arboriculture. Closely comparable in subject mix, dual FE/HE model and rural specialism.
• Hadlow College: Kent-based land-based further and higher education college with agriculture, animal management, fisheries and horticulture (now operating within North Kent College group). Closely comparable land-based subject mix and FE/HE delivery model.
• Moulton College: Northamptonshire further education college offering land-based and sport programmes including agriculture, animal care and equine. Similar scale and land-based specialism to Sparsholt.
• Writtle University College: Essex-based land-based college offering agriculture, animal science, equine and horticulture FE and HE programmes. Directly comparable to Sparsholt as a smaller land-based FE/HE provider with degree validation.
• Royal Agricultural University: Historic UK agricultural university delivering land-based and rural management degrees. Comparable to Sparsholt in serving the same agricultural student market with a degree-led, land-based specialism.
• Harper Adams University: UK specialist land-based university offering agriculture, animal science, veterinary nursing and applied life sciences. Closest higher-education analogue to Sparsholt's University Centre provision, with overlapping subject mix and validated degree model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SparsholtCollegeSCH
• Facebookfacebook.com/SparsholtCollege
• LinkedInuk.linkedin.com/company/sparsholt-college
• Instagraminstagram.com/sparsholt_coll/?hl=en
• Xx.com/sparsholt_coll

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Sparsholt College