Burton and South Derbyshire College

Burton and South Derbyshire College students graduating (Burton and South Derbyshire College)

History: Burton and South Derbyshire College (BSDC) is committed to providing quality training, creating the skills of tomorrow today! The College operates from two sites, the Town Centre Campus and the recently launched South Derbyshire Campus, a specialist facility focusing on construction and sustainability. BSDC offers a range of courses, from pre-entry to university level and works with employers to ensure the curriculum offered meets with industry demands.

Address: The Town Centre Campus is right in the heart of Burton and our South Derbyshire Campus is based in Swadlincote.

Ambience: The college is situated on the banks of the River Trent.  With state-of-the-art facilities and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere, it provides an inspirational learning environment.

Who's the boss? Dawn Ward OBE is principal and chief executive.

Prospectus: 01283 494 400, request/view one here and follow @BSDCofficial.

UCAS code: S72 Campus Code G

What you need to know

Easy to get into? Entry requirements vary from course to course. The college likes to meet students face to face to discuss individual requirements.

Foundation degrees: BSDC offers a range including contemporary arts practice; information communications technology; digital media production; early childhood studies;teaching assistants; music technology; dance and theatre arts; and sports development and coaching.

Vital statistics: Over 10,000 learners studying a range of full time, part time and higher education courses. HE courses on offer include HNCs and HNDs, foundation degrees, teacher training and BA degrees. The college offers courses accredited through local universities, including Staffordshire University. 

Added value: The college offers state of the art facilities and an innovative curriculum that will give you the skills and experience you need to stand out to employers. BSDC prides itself on its outstanding partnerships, including being the official college partner to St George’s Park, the UK’s National Football Centre.

Teaching: The college is committed to providing excellent teaching and learning, giving students the skills they need for success in their chosen career. BSDC was rated 'good' by Ofsted in 2011.

Any accommodation? None provided by the college, but student services can offer advice and guidance on securing somewhere to live.

Cheap to live there? Private rental costs in Burton-on-Trent can range from £75 and £100 per week.

Transport links: Twenty-five minutes in the car from both Birmingham and Nottingham. Burton-on-Trent is well served by trains and buses, both of which stop close to the College.

Fees: Full fee details are available on application.

Bursaries: There are non-repayable grants available to students from lower-income households. These are worth up to £2,835 a year. To find out more, please contact the college’s Student Finance Department.

The fun stuff

Nightlife: As the brewing capital of England, it’s great if you're partial to a jar or two of ale. A leisure complex in town has, among other delights, themed bars, restaurants and a nine screen cinema. The college organises regular trips and nights out.

Sporting reputation: There's a £1m leisure complex available to students studying sports-based courses, plus a range of activities to join..

Glittering alumni: Shane Meadows, film director (Dead Man’s Shoes, This is England etc.); Paddy Considine, actor (Dead Man’s Shoes, Hot Fuzz etc.); Claire Dodgson, film editor (Fantastic Mr Fox, Despicable Me etc.)