Blackburn College

Blackburn College is part of Blackburn Learning Quarter, a vibrant learning community in the heart of Blackburn. As one of the largest further education colleges in Pennine Lancashire and among England’s largest providers of college-based higher education, it plays a central role in serving local people, employers and communities.

For generations, Blackburn College has been changing lives and opening doors to opportunity through education, skills and training.

Since its founding in 1888, Blackburn College has helped people from across Lancashire develop new skills, retrain and progress to higher levels of study. At the heart of Blackburn with Darwen’s diverse community, the College works with local partners to strengthen social cohesion, widen opportunity and support the prosperity and regeneration of East Lancashire.

This enduring commitment continues to change lives and open doors to opportunity for learners of all ages and backgrounds.

Blackburn College provides high-quality education and training to more than 10,000 students, helping people improve their skills, prospects and life chances. Its broad curriculum responds to the needs of learners, employers and the local community, with opportunities including A Levels, technical and vocational courses, apprenticeships, degree-level qualifications, and shorter or part-time programmes for adult learners.

The College has invested millions of pounds in its world-class campus. Developed in collaboration with employers and stakeholders, the facilities help future-proof the curriculum and give students access to industry-standard learning environments.

Investments include:
• Redevelopment of the College’s motor vehicle facilities to incorporate hybrid, hydrogen and electric technologies.
• A state-of-the-art Cyber Suite, expanding access to digital, data science, computing and cyber courses for students and the wider community.
• Enhanced health teaching facilities, aligning courses with the most pressing skills needs. • The Industry Collaboration Zone,, a high-tech central hub creating new opportunities for collaboration between industry, stakeholders and education providers.
• Redevelopment of the Victoria Building to support adult learners through Skills for Work, ESOL and community activities in the heart of the town.

The College’s first-class town-centre campus combines state-of-the-art classrooms and workshops with convenient access to local amenities.

Blackburn College delivers strong student outcomes, including a 100% A-Level pass rate in key subjects such as Biology, Physics, Maths, Law, Accounting and Psychology, together with an overall BTEC pass rate of 98%. Blackburn College is one of England’s leading providers for the success of 16- to 18-year-old advanced apprentices.

Blackburn College has a strong and sustained record of working with the business community to help local employers recruit, retain and retrain their workforce. The College offers apprenticeships across a range of occupational areas, including management, accountancy and business, gas, construction trades, digital, health and early years. Its Work Placement Team works with local employers to provide full-time students with meaningful placements that build workplace skills and help develop the region’s future talent. Employers also contribute to curriculum design and development, helping to ensure that training reflects the needs of local industry.

Together with employers and community partners, Blackburn College continues to change lives and open doors to opportunity across East Lancashire.