FURTHER EDUCATION AND HIGHER EDUCATION IN DORSET

AECC a specialist health sciences institution dedicated to offering world-renowned courses, AECC enrols over 800 students on courses ranging from chiropractic, psychology, sport, exercise and health-science and medical-imaging including: ultrasound and radiology.

Visit the AECC website

AUB is a leading specialist arts, design, media and performance institution with more than 3,400 students, well known for preparing graduates for direct career entry in the creative industries. It engages with the local employers, community and economy and has an embedded culture of collaboration and entrepreneurialism. The University investments in the latest technology, equipment and facilities has attracted funding to support research and innovation projects with Dorset industry and develop an Innovation Studio to support local start-ups. AUB offers a range of engagement opportunities, including ‘Live Briefs’, staff-led research projects, industry secondments, internships and EU funded innovation projects.

Visit the AUB website

Bournemouth University is a large generalist university with over 19,000 students, offers a wide range of specialisms aligned with the demand of the local economy - from business to subjects allied to medicine and computing. Graduate employment and retention are high on the agenda with 23% of graduates employed in Dorset. BU also offers a range of services to connect employers with graduates, graduands and students, including opportunities to promote employment and professional development opportunities, exhibit at numerous careers fairs and employability-focused workshops. Bournemouth University is in the top three universities in Great Britain for the most undergraduate students on work placements.

Visit the Bournemouth University website

Bournemouth & Poole College is the largest provider of further education and apprenticeships in Dorset, catering for around 11,000 students. The College collaborates with over 2,000 businesses to deliver an ambitious apprenticeships programme. The College has a focus on engineering, computing, digital, construction, healthcare and business subjects in line with he identified growth and established sectors. It is also working towards the provision of higher skills with around 600 students studying towards degree level qualifications. Fruitful partnerships with a range of universities allow the College to open up opportunities and give access to specialist facilities.

Visit the B&P College website

Kingston Maurwood College is a specialist land-based college offering 750 acres of gardens and practical teaching facilities in the heart of Dorset and is one of the few institutions nationally specialising in applying digital technologies to aquatic and land management. The college offers its 2,000 students work-related training and study, up to and including degree-level, in its specialist areas of agriculture, aquaculture, horticulture and farming. New investments on the estate include the Dorset Studio School offering practical land-based studies, an agri-tech centre and a state-of-the-art Animal Science centre supporting the regional training hub for the Royal Veterinary College, currently the world’s leading vet school. 

Visit the Kingston Maurwood College website

Weymouth College is based in the West Dorset Coast with many of its 3,000 students travelling from the surrounding rural areas, specialises in Level 3 and industry-relevant vocational courses and apprenticeships. Key specialist areas include engineering, automotive, manufacturing and construction as well as creative and visual arts. The College also includes the Dorset Centre for the Creative Arts and the Dorset Training Academy working directly with businesses to support their growth needs. 

Visit the Weymouth College website

Find out more about Schools & Learning in Dorset Council

Find out more about Schools & Learning in BCP Council

• Ferndown Upper School was the first in Dorset to offer (from 2022) the digital T-level course – a technical alternative to A Levels, designed with industry experts to make sure students have the skills they need to thrive in the workplace and give businesses the workforce they need to succeed. Find more information and contacts.
• Yeovil College also offers T-Levels in Digital, Construction, Education and Childcare, Health, Business and Engineering. 
• Bournemouth & Poole College offer a wide range of T-Levels.
• For a full list of T-Level providers visit gov.uk

To find out more about Apprenticeships: 

Visit the Dorset Careers Hub website for detailed information about apprenticeships and access opportunities. 

Visit the Amazing Apprenticeships website - a leading organisation in the education sector, founded to tackle misconceptions about apprenticeships and promote the benefits.

Find out more from the government Apprenticeships website. 

Collaborate with Independent training providers.

Find out more about adult community education in Dorset.