What Oldham College does

Oldham College is a Further Education institution established under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 and headquartered on Rochdale Road in Oldham, Greater Manchester, with a secondary University Campus Oldham (UCO) site on University Way. It delivers technical and professional qualifications to approximately 8,000 students per year across four primary segments: school leavers aged 16-18 (vocational courses and T Levels), adult learners aged 19+ (reskilling and professional development), apprentices (earn-while-you-learn programmes), and university-level students at UCO studying Foundation Degrees and BA (Hons) programmes including Graphic Design, Game Art and Illustration. The higher education arm partners with awarding universities including the University of Huddersfield, University of Lancashire, Sheffield Hallam University and the Open University. Revenue is generated through four streams: government funding (Education and Skills Funding Agency allocations), tuition fees (£8,250 per year for full-time HE study), apprenticeship funding via government schemes and employer contributions, and professional services including workforce development and upskilling for Greater Manchester employers.

The college's core technology footprint consists of a public-facing website, the It's Learning virtual learning environment, a student portal, the My Oldham College App, and industry-standard teaching facilities across its campus locations. Distribution relies on a hybrid model: self-serve online enrollment through applications.oldham.ac.uk, direct sales through school outreach and open events, and B2B engagement via employer advisory boards across Business, Construction, Digital, Early Years & Education and Health & Social Care. The college has progressively expanded its role beyond traditional education into business innovation through the FEIF-funded Innovation Hub, the Innovate UK-supported FEIF Innovation Centre (where it serves as lead GM College for a £25M programme), and partnership on the Oldham Trading Platform and BREE employer engagement ecosystem. Accreditations include WorldSkills UK Centre of Excellence status, SEND Centre for Excellence designation (one of four in England), Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Silver, and Great Place to Work UK certification.

Customers include named enterprise partners such as Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, First Choice Homes Oldham, Muse, Manchester Airport Group, Arcadis, Jon Matthews Architects, Red Dot Studio and Personal Home Care Services Ltd, spanning healthcare, housing, construction, aviation, architecture and creative sectors. Notable recognitions include 89% Overall Satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2022 (ranking top among Greater Manchester FE colleges and 12.5% above HE sector average), and above-sector-average scores in five categories in the 2026 NSS. Governance is provided by a Corporation Board of Governors led by Principal and Chief Executive Simon Jordan (appointed August 2023), with a senior team comprising Vice Principals for 16-19 & Adult Programmes and Student Experience & Inclusion, and Assistant Principals covering Apprenticeship & Skills and HE & Higher Skills.

Name

Oldham College

Legal name

Oldham College

Website

https://oldham.ac.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Oldham College is a Further Education institution in Oldham, Greater Manchester, delivering vocational courses, apprenticeships, adult education and higher education to approximately 8,000 students annually, funded through government allocations, tuition fees and employer partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Further Education and Vocational Training

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Transfer/University-Parallel Community Colleges (EDAHADAF)

Keywords

• Further education college
• Vocational training
• Apprenticeship programs
• T Level qualifications
• Higher education degrees

Headquarters

HQ city

Oldham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: As a further education college, Oldham College receives significant government funding for providing vocational education and training.
2. Tuition Fees: University-level courses charged at £8,250 per year for full-time study.
3. Apprenticeship Funding: Apprenticeship programs are funded through government apprenticeship schemes and employer contributions.
4. Professional Services: The college provides workforce development, upskilling, and training services to employers in the Greater Manchester region.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Oldham College is a Further Education college in Oldham, Greater Manchester delivering technical and professional qualifications to approximately 8,000 students annually. The portfolio spans vocational courses for 16-18 school leavers (including T Levels), adult learning programmes, earn-while-you-learn apprenticeships, and university-level degrees via its University Campus Oldham (UCO) faculty awarded by partner universities. The college also delivers workforce development, upskilling and innovation support services to local employers.

Product overview

Oldham College and its higher education faculty University Campus Oldham (UCO) offer a comprehensive portfolio of technical and professional education products and services. The offering spans vocational qualifications for school leavers (16-18), adult education programmes, apprenticeships, and university-level study (Foundation Degrees and BA Hons degrees). Key products include T Levels such as Media Content Creation & Production, and degree programmes in Graphic Design, Game Art, and Illustration. The institution also provides student support services including the My Oldham College App, OC Radio, and a Career and Course Finder tool. UCO partners with globally recognised universities (University of Lancashire, Huddersfield, Sheffield Hallam) to deliver accredited higher education qualifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• University Campus Oldham (UCO): The higher education faculty of Oldham College, offering university-level qualifications including BA (Hons) degrees, Foundation Degrees, and Higher National Certificates/Diplomas in partnership with universities such as University of Lancashire, University of Huddersfield, and Sheffield Hallam University.

Quantifiable outcome

• Above sector average across five themed categories in National Student Survey 2026
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 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

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Manchester Airport GroupminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Delivered workshop to Apprenticeship Academy students providing insight into the organization's apprenticeship and graduate opportunities and the application process. Shared career journey insights from Early Talent Manager who completed a Level 4 Customer Service Representative apprenticeship with the organization.
• Oldham Council (BREE Platform)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Partnership with Oldham Council on BREE (Brokering Relationships between Employers and Educators), a new online platform bringing schools, colleges and employers together. BREE aims to simplify how businesses get involved in education by bringing opportunities such as careers talks, workplace visits and mentoring into one place.
• University of HuddersfieldcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Awarding partner university for University Campus Oldham degree programmes. Students can attend UCO graduation ceremonies at the partner university and receive degrees from the institution.
• University of LancashirecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Awarding partner university for University Campus Oldham degree programmes including BA (Hons) Graphic Design. Students can attend UCO graduation ceremonies at the partner university and receive degrees from the institution.
• Sheffield Hallam UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Awarding partner university for University Campus Oldham degree programmes. Students can attend UCO graduation ceremonies at the partner university and receive degrees from the institution.
• First Choice Homes OldhamcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Strategic partnership to expand collaboration creating more opportunities for learners and staff to gain real industry experience. The partnership develops additional placements, apprenticeships and training responding directly to needs of Oldham's housing and construction sectors. FCHO has previously hosted T Level industry placements where three learners completed around 750 hours of on-site experience. FCHO was recognized with Oldham College's T Level Employer Partnership Award.
• Oldham Trading Platform (Upturn)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Oldham College named lead skills and workforce partner for the new UK-first online hub that helps businesses connect, trade and grow locally. The platform is run by Upturn, a local Social Enterprise founded in 2004. Employers can access apprenticeships, T Level industry placements, staff training, higher-level qualifications and innovation projects through the partnership.
• Pennine Care NHS Foundation TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust piloted T Level industry placements for estates and facilities management students from Oldham College in 2025. Two second-year students gained hands-on experience across the trust's 88 locations in Greater Manchester. Both students completed the program and were subsequently offered permanent roles within the organization. The trust plans to expand the program with two additional placements in April 2026.
• Personal Home Care Services LtdminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Engagement with Oldham College's Innovation Hub since its launch. The company attended every Innovation Hub event, creating new partnerships, trialing innovative ideas, and engaging directly with T Level students. The company was appointed to lead the Innovation Hub Advisory Board as Chair.
• Gatsby Charitable FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024Partnership to launch two new guides helping employers understand opportunities in the education and skills system. Guides co-produced with leading business bodies including British Chamber of Commerce, Institute of Directors, CBI and more.
• Strategic Development NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024Partnership to launch education landscape guides for employers alongside Gatsby Charitable Foundation to raise awareness of opportunities in the education and skills system.
• WorldSkills UKcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024WorldSkills UK Centre of Excellence status and host venue for National Finals. Partnership focuses on skills development, demonstrating excellence, and advocating for world-class skills. Four tutors became WorldSkills UK Educators trained by High Performance Skills Coaches.
• MusecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2024T Level industry placement partnership for Design, Surveying and Planning students. Muse is Oldham Council's place partner to deliver a transformative new neighbourhood in the town centre including 2,000 new homes, jobs and opportunities. Students spend three days a week with Muse across the North West and two days with partner organizations Jon Matthews Architects and Arcadis.
• Open UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2022Partner university and institution for University Campus Oldham. UCO partners with Open University to deliver accredited qualifications at its town centre campus.
• Greater Manchester Chamber of CommercecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 May 2022Partnership to launch flexi-job apprenticeships in construction to help local construction businesses 'build back better'. The chamber works with Oldham College to enable apprentices to work for up to three different companies on short-term contracts.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Open University: Awarding partner and a leading UK higher education institution. Relevant as a strategic partner of UCO and benchmark for accessible HE delivery; not a direct competitor but sets the standard for UCO's degree validation.

Regional players

• Wigan & Leigh College: Greater Manchester-area FE college offering vocational, apprenticeship, and HE programmes. Operates in an adjacent labour market with similar course portfolio to Oldham College.

Direct peers

• Trafford College: Greater Manchester FE/HE college offering T Levels, apprenticeships, vocational courses, and degree-level study. Closely aligned in product breadth and regional positioning to Oldham College.
• Bolton College: Neighbouring Greater Manchester FE college delivering vocational, apprenticeship, and HE programmes. Closely comparable scale and curriculum mix, competing for the same Greater Manchester student and employer pool.
• Tameside College: Adjacent Greater Manchester FE college with similar vocational, apprenticeship, and T Level provision. Direct regional competitor for 16-18 and adult learners in the same labour market.
• Salford City College: Greater Manchester FE college group delivering vocational, apprenticeship, and HE programmes. Competes with Oldham for the same regional student population and employer relationships.
• Hopwood Hall College: Rochdale-based FE college (immediately adjacent to Oldham) offering vocational courses, apprenticeships, and HE pathways. Direct competitor for Oldham-area learners and Greater Manchester employer placements.
• Bury College: North Manchester FE college with full vocational, apprenticeship, and HE portfolio including university-level partnerships. Comparable in scale, mission, and product mix to Oldham College.
• The Manchester College: Largest FE college in Greater Manchester, offering vocational courses, T Levels, apprenticeships, and HE across multiple campuses. Directly comparable to Oldham in product mix and regional catchment, serving the same student and employer base.

Broad incumbents

• New College Durham: Large UK FE college with comprehensive vocational, apprenticeship, and HE provision. Comparable in scale (~10,000+ students) and product breadth to Oldham College but operating in the North East.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/OldhamCollege
• Instagraminstagram.com/oldhamcollegeoc
• Facebookfacebook.com/oldhamcollege
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oldham-college

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Oldham College