HIGHER SKILLS, APPRENTICESHIPS AND SKILLS FOR EMPLOYMENT
YOUR GUIDE TO ADULT EDUCATION
YOUR FUTURE’S BRIGHT
Welcome to shuttleworth college
Your study options are wide-ranging! We offer a variety of courses, from Entry level to Degree level, ensuring there’s something for everyone. With flexible programmes designed to fit around your needs, you can pursue your educational goals at a pace that suits you.
Why choose us
We place our students at the centre of everything we do, supporting them in both their employment and everyday life.
OUR CAMP US
Shuttleworth College offers a unique learning environment. Set within the historic grounds of Old Warden Park, the campus is known for its extensive outdoor facilities, including woodlands, lakes, and gardens, making it an ideal setting for our courses. Shuttleworth College provides hands-on, practical learning opportunities, supported by expert tutors and specialised facilities. If
Finance
Available Funding for Part-Time Adults
We offer a wide range of financial support options to help manage the costs of your course. Our support packages are designed to cater to various needs and circumstances, including bursaries and flexible payment plans, ensuring that education is accessible and affordable for all.
To explore the financial support options available and determine your eligibility, please visit our website. Our online eligibility checker provides a quick and easy way to find out which support options you may qualify for, helping you make informed decisions.
Available Support for Part-time Adults:
SCAN ME TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR PART-TIME ADULT COURSES
Student life at shuttleworth
Student life at Shuttleworth College for Adult learners is designed to be supportive, diverse, and enriching. The College offers a wide range of courses and facilities aimed at catering to the needs of Adults returning to education, whether for career advancement, personal development, a career change or starting a new hobby.
Support Services
Shuttleworth College provides extensive student support services, as well as access to tutors who offer one-on-one support throughout your course. Tutors can help with academic progress, personal development, and career planning. The College also offers a dedicated counselling service to assist with a variety of personal issues, such as stress, financial hardship, and mental health concerns. Our Student Services team are trained in careers, advice, and guidance, ensuring high-quality professional support.
Learning Environment
Adult learners at Shuttleworth College benefit from modern facilities and dedicated study spaces.
The College ensures that classrooms and workshops are equipped with top resources, and tutors bring practical industry experience to their teaching. This hands-on approach helps Adult learners connect theory with real-world application, enhancing their educational experience.
Community and Activities
At College, you can be as involved in campus life as you choose. Whether you want to participate in Student Union activities or simply relax in the coffee shop, the choice is yours.
Flexible Learning Options
Shuttleworth College provides a wide range of courses suitable for Adult learners. These include part-time courses, professional qualifications, and short courses in areas such as agriculture, animal sciences, horticulture, floristry, and more. Many of these courses are designed with flexibility in mind, offering day, evening, and weekend classes to fit around work and personal commitments.
SUBJECTS NEAR YOU!
Whether you’re looking to study Full-time, part-time, or pursue University-level (Higher Skills), we offer a diverse range of courses to suit your needs. Shuttleworth College is set within the stunning location of Old Warden Park, it offers a wide variety of land-based courses, making full use of the natural resources available, including parkland, a commercial farm, equestrian centre, woodland, walled garden, lakes and Zoological Education Centre. Below, you’ll find a detailed listing of all the subjects we offer.
case study
I recently completed the Level 2 Floristry course at Shuttleworth College as an adult learner, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. From the very beginning, the experience was positive, inspiring, and incredibly rewarding.
The tutors were excellent, so patient, approachable, and extremely knowledgeable about the industry. They created a supportive learning environment where I felt comfortable asking questions, developing new techniques, and building my confidence. Their passion for floristry was clear in every lesson, and their encouragement really motivated me to push myself creatively.
The course was very well organised, with a great balance of practical workshops and theory. Each week introduced something new while reinforcing the skills we had already developed. The variety of arrangements and designs we created kept things exciting and gave me a strong foundation to build on in the future.
As an adult learner changing direction into a new career, I was a little nervous at first, but this course gave me exactly what I needed such as structure, guidance, and the freedom to be creative. Being able to study part-time allowed me to gain a new qualification and begin preparing for a future career in floristry, alongside my current job.
I have learned so much, not only about floral design but also about the wider industry from working with seasonal flowers and materials to presentation, design techniques, and professional standards. The industry days and organised trips were also brilliant for gaining an insight into the world of floristry. The skills I have developed have given me the confidence to take the next step towards my new career path.
I am so grateful to the tutors and technicians, and I would recommend this course and Shuttleworth College to anyone interested in floristry, whether for personal development or a future career.
Sian Shufflebotham
We offer a wide range of University-level (Higher Skills) courses across The Bedford College Group, with locations in Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire.
CAMPUS KEY: SC - SHUTTLEWORTH COLLEGE ON - ONLINE
Part-time courses
Part-time courses provide a flexible way to get back into education. Whether you are balancing work, family commitments, or other responsibilities, part-time study allows you to pursue your educational goals without sacrificing your current lifestyle. These courses provide the same high-quality education as Full-time programmes but with a reduced time commitment, typically involving evening classes. This flexibility enables you to advance your career, acquire new skills, or explore personal interests at a pace that suits you, making it easier to manage your time and achieve a balanced, fulfilling life.
We offer part-time courses aiming to:
• improve your confidence
• enhance your life skills
• increase your employment opportunities
• get you promoted confIdence
Our courses are designed to improve confidence and wellbeing, while also uplifting the communities we serve.
SKILLS FOr LIFE
Our courses provide essential skills for both life and work, covering areas such as English & maths, ESOL, and Digital Skills. employment
Our courses offer extensive support for employment, equipping you with the skills and resources to effectively navigate and succeed in the job market.
Professional enhancement
These training opportunities are tailored for professional enhancement, aimed at expanding your career possibilities through the development of specialised skills and advanced knowledge.
DISTANCE LEARNING
Our FREE online Distance Learning Courses give you the opportunity to further your education by gaining skills, knowledge and a certified qualification.
Provided you are over 19 and have lived in the UK for the past 3 years, all of our Level 2 courses are free.
Each course lasts for up to 16 weeks and can be started at any time throughout the year. They can be completed online at times to suit you with access to specialist support from dedicated tutors throughout the programme.
Unlock your potential with our exciting range of free online courses for adults.
We offer Distance Learning courses for the following subjects:
• Adult Care Services
• Business & Admin
• Childcare
• Digital
• Employment & Wellbeing
• Green Skills
GAIN A FREE QUALIFICATION WITHOUT DISRUPTING YOUR DAY-TO-DAY LIFE shuttleworth.ac.uk
MORE INFORMATION
See our full list of courses by scanning the QR code or by searching ‘Distance Learning Courses’ on our website.
Levels Explained
We are committed to helping you and guarantee your progression on to the next level of study with us. We can support you to progress all the way from Level 1 up to Level 5.
LEVEL 1
EQUIVALENT LEVEL (3-1) GCSEs entry level
Entry level courses in ESOL, Adult English and maths, and Pre-employment are designed to build confidence and foundational skills for further education or employment.
LEVEL 3
EQUIVALENT LEVEL
A LEVELS
Level 3 qualifications include Access, A levels, BTEC Nationals NVQs, CMI and CPCAB. These courses provide in-depth knowledge and skills, preparing you for higher education or advanced apprenticeships. They are essential for those aiming to progress to university or gain higher-level vocational qualifications.
Level 1 qualifications include GCSEs at grades 3-1 (D-G), NVQs, and Functional Skills. These courses focus on developing basic skills and knowledge, providing a solid foundation for further education or entry-level employment. They are ideal for those starting their educational journey or needing to build confidence in key subjects.
Level 4/5
EQUIVALENT LEVEL
Transform your future
Professional Courses
Our professional adult courses are level 4 and 5 qualifications, that aim to provide you with the specialist skills you need to move on in your existing career or make the jump to something new.
We
We offer a range of day or evening classes, the course you choose can live alongside your life, and work around your work.
The Bedford College Group offers Skills Bootcamps, flexible and intensive training programmes designed to equip you with in-demand skills that employers value.
These programmes provide a direct pathway to employment, career progression, or transitioning into new industries.
Skills Bootcamps:
Government-funded training programmes designed to help adults gain the skills needed to secure a job, progress in their current role, or move into a new industry.
These short, flexible courses are tailored to meet local employer needs, ensuring participants are job-ready upon completion.
• open to adults aged 19+
• no prior experience required for many courses
• must be looking for career progression or a change in career direction
• fully funded if you are unemployed or if employed contribution of 10% (SMEs) or 30% payable at the start of your Skills Bootcamp READY TO GAIN JOB-READY SKILLS AND TAKE YOUR CAREER TO THE NEXT LEVEL?
Expert-Led Training: Learn from industry professionals with hands-on experience.
Flexible Learning Options: Evening and weekend sessions available.
Industry-Relevant Curriculum: Stay ahead with courses designed in partnership with local employers.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with industry leaders and potential employers.
Free or Subsidised Costs: Government funding covers the majority or all of the tuition fees.
Scan here to explore our professional courses
Commercial Courses
If you’re currently employed but looking to enhance your abilities in your trade, or further your knowledge of your industry, our part-time commercial CPD courses could be perfect for you. These professional development qualifications will allow you to increase your skills, knowledge and self-awareness in a wide range of industries alongside your full-time job. They’re also perfect for businesses and employers looking for cost-effective training solutions for their staff, as we offer certifications in compliance and technical areas.
If you’d like to enquire about our bespoke packages or discuss all things professional development, you can also contact us directly on 01234 291747 or training@bedford.ac.uk.
We currently offer commercial CPD courses in the following subjects:
Alongside these courses, we also offer bespoke training packages for local businesses looking to upskill their staff.
To explore our full offering of professional development courses, scan the qr code.
Higher Skills
Our Higher Skills courses offer you the opportunity to gain qualifications, enhance your career prospects or retrain to gain the skills you’ll need for work. We offer excellent vocational courses including HNC and HND, HTQs and Higher Apprenticeships, as well as Access to Higher Education. Our courses are taught by industry experienced tutors to provide you with hands-on experience in your chosen career path.
Our Higher Skills courses offer university-level study on your doorstep designed with your family and other commitments in mind. With lower course fees and small class sizes offering specialist academic support, our programmes provide an affordable and flexible alternative to university study.
We offer a Level 5 Foundation Degree and a Level 6 Top-Up degree at Shuttleworth College. Our Higher Skills courses provide the opportunity to gain qualifications, boost career prospects, or retrain for work.
Why Study Higher Skills
• save money by studying closer to home
• gain the skills you’ll need to progress
DISCLAIMER: While every effort is made to ensure that the information within this prospectus is correct at the time of printing, some details may be subject to change. The Bedford College Group reserves the right to make amendments to the study programmes, dates, fees or other details, and to make cancellations or changes if student numbers are insufficient. In the unfortunate situation that we have to cancel a course, we will refund any fees in full, but we regret we are not able to offer any refund if you withdraw from your course or fail to start, and you will be liable to pay any outstanding fees that may be due. This publication is also available in large print and audio formats. Call: 0345 658 8990 for a copy