Somerset College of Arts and Technology

Welcome to University Centre Somerset. We’re part of a new institution that has been created by the merger of two very well-established higher education providers: Bridgwater College and Somerset College. We specialise in vocational qualifications, grounded in the real world. We pride ourselves on forging strong links with employers and delivering programmes that equip you with skills you can use in the workplace. University Centre Somerset is based in state-of-the-art facilities in the county town of Taunton. We also operate specialist learning centres at our sites in Bridgwater and Cannington.

We specialise in vocational degree level qualifications, grounded in the real world and combined with academic rigour. We want our students to achieve the highest standards set for their chosen industry sector, so that they can begin their careers with confidence, knowing they have been trained in the most advanced business methods and technology. We pride ourselves on forging strong links with employers and delivering programmes that equip you with skills you can use in the workplace and we offer countless opportunities for you to develop your skills, acquire new interests and meet interesting people.

Our courses are delivered by talented tutors with extensive professional experience and strong research and teaching skills. They are designed with your future career very much in mind, meaning they have a strong vocational focus, in areas such as Business, Art & Design, Computing & IT, Engineering, Health & Social Care, Construction, and Leadership & Management. To ensure the quality of our degree programmes, we work with some of the UK’s most prestigious universities. They validate our courses, meaning that students can study in Somerset while receiving qualifications from leading institutions around the country. Whatever you’re studying, University Centre Somerset has first-class facilities that enhance your learning and stimulate your development. We pride ourselves on the high quality of our facilities, with an investment programme of over £35 million, many of the facilities are utilised by industry insiders from across the region. Many feature cutting-edge technology, giving you the opportunity to train using the very latest equipment, with many of our centres operating commercially meaning you’ll gain hands-on experience in a real-world environment.

We have legal duties to promote equality and recognise, celebrate and value the diversity of all members of our community. However, our commitment goes beyond than that and has a positive impact on our student’s lives. We have improved access for students with disabilities in recent years, and are constantly reviewing our policies and procedures to ensure we are up to date with current legislation. University Centre Somerset is committed to reducing and eliminating disadvantage, harassment, bullying, prejudice and discrimination by following legislation and taking positive action. The college has set challenging targets and will strive to achieve these whilst aiming to extend our own expectations and enabling others to fulfil their true potential. We encourage learners to take an active role in promoting equality of opportunity both in their studies and in general college life.

We aim to create a centre for enterprise and employment, and be a force for change within the community, creating careers and stimulating business growth. Employers are demanding ever more contemporary and higher level skills in new technologies and in the way people work and interact. Specialist occupational training, especially for adults, is crucial for business success and it is our intention to ensure that anyone trained or educated at University Centre Somerset has the most up-to-date skills and knowledge to enable them to compete for employment. Our Aims:

• Provide educational opportunities in applied vocational learning and skills training.
• Be a recognised centre for Higher Education and excel as an institution recognised regionally, nationally and locally for our specialist areas.
• Be the provider of choice for employer based training and employment based solutions for innovation, enterprise, development and growth.
• Excel at student success and achieve a local, regional and national reputation for quality.
• Be pivotal to greening the economic environment of Taunton Deane and Somerset.