Chesterfield College

News in pictures
News in pictures

Chesterfield College

Age: 170

History: Started life in 1841 as the Chesterfield and Brampton Mechanics' Institute, and went through various incarnations, including the merger in 1984 of Chesterfield Art College and Chesterfield College of Technology, before becoming Chesterfield College.

Address: The main campus is near the centre of Chesterfield, the largest town in Derbyshire, but many of the HE courses are based at the nearby Tapton House campus. A new state-of-the-art campus opened at Clowne, five miles North-East of Chesterfield, in Autumn 2005.

Ambience: Chesterfield is famous for having a church with a crooked spire. It has the feel of a bustling market town, and the main campus is within walking distance of the town centre, shops and bars. The Clowne campus is more rural and relaxed, with ample sporting facilities.

Vital statistics: Chesterfield College is the main adult education provider in Derbyshire, accounting for over one third of over 18s in further education in the region, with over 9,000 students taking hundreds of different courses. There are around 4,000 full-time students and the number is increasing.

Added value: The college maintains a reputation for high quality vocational and academic provision which meets the training demands of industry. Performance review the LSC rated the college as 'Excellent', placing it within the top 10 per cent of colleges and further education providers in the country. The college is also highly regarded for work-based learning, offering training in partnership with 150 local companies. There are good sports facilities as well as a fully operational restaurant run by catering students. The new Clowne campus has full-size football pitches, a sports hall and fitness suite, and purpose-built, professional standard hairdressing and beauty therapy salons. With the introduction of foundation degrees and other programmes with greater flexibility, learners throughout the East Midlands find studying with Chesterfield College favourable to many local training providers. The college's higher education (HE) and Access to HE courses have a good reputation both locally and nationally, with many students progressing to complete a degree at Sheffield Hallam or the University of Derby.

Easy to get into? Most HE courses require at least one A-level from school leavers, or equivalent level 3 qualifications, although requirements may differ for mature students.

Glittering alumni: William Snape, actor who has appeared in the Full Monty.

Transport links: Good. Chesterfield railway station is right next door, and the college is 12 miles south of the regional hub of Sheffield. The college also operates an extensive free bus service to all full time students, which covers much of the surrounding area.

Who's the boss? Judith McCarthur, Principal.

Teaching: A 2008 Ofsted report rated the college as good in all areas.

Foundation Degrees: Full-time foundation degrees in creative practice, games and interactive technologies, health-related exercise and fitness, and sports coaching (performance and participation). Part-time foundation degrees are offered in mechanical and manufacturing engineering, internet and business technologies, early years, education and learning support, health-related exercise and fitness, complimentary therapies, sports coaching (performance and participation), logistics and supply-chain management and leadership and management. There are also options to complete 'top-up' honours degrees in business and management studies and health-related exercise and fitness.

Nightlife: Students can hit the bars and clubs of Chesterfield, and the nightspots of Sheffield are only 12 miles up the road.

Any accommodation? None provided by the college.

Cheap to live there? Not bad. A room in a shared flat will set you back around £75 per week.

Fees: Full-time HE fees for 2011 entry are £2,415. Fees for 2012 are yet to be set.

Bursaries: Eligible students can apply for a bursary between £450 and £800 from the college. See the college's bursaries and fees guide for more information.

Prospectus: 01246 500562; www.chesterfield.ac.uk

UCAS code: C56

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Career Services

Day In a Page

No secularism please, we're British

No secularism please, we're British

Arguments about the role of religion in national life have recently acquired a new urgency
Harold Tillman: 'Chinese tourists can save the high street – if we let them'

Harold Tillman interview

'Chinese tourists can save the high street – if we let them'
Working as a jail torturer ruined my life

Working as a jail torturer ruined my life

Meet the former soldier who has joined the political prisoners he tortured in Turkey's Mamak prison by suing the generals who led a regime of terror
The local high street jet shop

The local high street jet shop

Got a spare $50m and can't stand the queues at Heathrow? Get yourself down to London's first private plane dealership
Do you like your doctor? It could be the death of you

Do you like your doctor?

It could be the death of you...
The mysterious affair of how Agatha Christie is teaching foreigners English

How Agatha Christie is teaching foreigners English

Twenty of the author's novels have been adapted and presented with learning notes and a CD
Six Grammys, five years off: Adele puts love before career

Six Grammys, five years off

Adele puts love before career
The 10 Best binoculars

The 10 Best binoculars

From no-frills to bins with digital cameras
Milan for £300

Milan for £300?

A cultural family holiday - on a budget - to Italy's most stylish city
'Black-hole' resorts: Turn up, tune out, log off

'Black-hole' resorts

Turn up, tune out, log off
New Arsenal face an old question of credibility in San Siro

New Arsenal face an old question of credibility in San Siro

Remodelled since winning in Milan in 2008, for all their consistency – and prize-money – Wenger's side are yet to claim a European title
James Lawton: This prodigal son deserves no forgiveness

James Lawton: This prodigal son deserves no forgiveness

City would be putting their desire to win title ahead of morals if Tevez plays for them
Mark Cavendish: Is Olympic gold at end of the rainbow?

Mark Cavendish interview

Is Olympic gold at end of the rainbow?
Apple admits it has a human rights problem

Apple admits it has a human rights problem

After years of complaints and workers' suicides in China the technology giant faces up to the human cost of its gadgets
Peter Moore: 'I feel guilty I'm the only one alive'

Peter Moore interview

'I feel guilty I'm the only one alive'