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4.01.02.5
Birmingham Metropolitan College (BMet) offers an extensive range of academic and vocational courses to both school-leavers and mature students. Study options include university-level qualifications, further education, professional development courses, vocational courses and apprenticeships.
BMet works in partnership with Birmingham City University and the University of Worcester to offer foundation degrees, Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) and Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and HTQs (Higher Technical Qualifications). Upon successful completion of one of these courses, students can transfer directly into the second or final year of their desired university degree.
Higher education qualifications are available through BMet's three main colleges: Matthew Boulton College, Sutton Coldfield College, and James Watt College. Each college features its own top-notch facilities and teaching expertise, with students benefitting from modern and innovative learning spaces.
BMet offers a career-focused education, developing students' practical skills and helping students to acquire meaningful work placement opportunities. Expert teaching staff offer industry insights based on their own professional experiences, and small class sizes allow for an adaptable teaching style.
The college prides itself in offering a supportive and accessible learning experience. Flexible entry requirements mean that admissions staff consider every application individually and based on its own merits. Tuition fees for university-level courses are, on average, lower than the national average, and full-time and part-time study options are available for added flexibility.
BMet's proximity to Birmingham's extensive range of local businesses and international industries provides students with exciting professional opportunities both during their studies and after graduation. Living in the UK's second largest city, students also benefit from a vast choice of entertainment options to make the most out of their downtime.
3.5Students at BMet learn in modern, spacious classrooms from highly qualified staff. Outside of the classroom, there are plenty of social spaces for relaxation.
A range of first-class, course-specific learning facilities are available for academic use, including:
Matthew Boulton College:
Sutton Coldfield College:
James Watt College:
Students can make use of libraries and learning resource centres at all main colleges. These offer access to course resources (including books, e-books and digital resources), group and individual study areas and extensive IT facilities.
Birmingham is the second largest city in the UK and is known for having one of the youngest populations of any city in Europe. As such, it provides an excellent backdrop for all student lifestyles, offering nightlife, entertainment, food and drink, culture, and an abundance of green spaces.
The city is well-connected by road and rail to the rest of the UK, and boasts its own international airport.
At BMet, students can get involved in a number of extra-curricular activities to explore interests and meet new people.
The college is especially well-known for its sporting endeavours and its award-winning sports academies. Other clubs and societies include AV club, Esports, LGBT+ Society, and the student newspaper.
2.0All students at BMet benefit from award-winning careers education and advice. All courses focus heavily on employability and incorporate highly relevant industry insights, with many offering work placement opportunities.
The college's careers team is on hand to offer all the careers advice, information, and support students need to achieve their ambitions. Careers advisers are fully qualified and appointments are confidential and impartial.
Students can attend a drop-in session or book an appointment for a longer one-to-one consultation at any of BMet's three main colleges (Sutton Coldfield College, Matthew Boulton College, and James Watt College).
Careers support includes:
Students at BMet also benefit from careers coach. This online tool encourages students to take a quiz to learn about their future career options and the best courses available at the college to help them realise their ambitions.
1.0BMet does not offer its own student accommodation. However, the city of Birmingham is home to five universities, and as such offers an abundance of student accommodation options, including private halls of residence and flat-share opportunities.
According to Save The Student (2024), the average cost of rent in Birmingham is £545 per month.
BMet endeavours to make learning accessible to students from all backgrounds. As such, it offers a range of bursaries and financial support opportunities. Students must meet certain criteria in order to be eligible for this funding.
Students enrolled on a higher education course at BMet may be eligible for a tuition fee loan from Student Finance England.
Students at BMet must pay tuition fees. Tuition fees at BMet are generally lower than the standard university fees in England. Tuition fees vary between courses, including the level and mode of study, and the specific subject being studied.
Broadly speaking, for the 2024/25 academic year, tuition fees for students enrolled on most full-time higher education courses at BMet were as follows:
For courses longer than twelve weeks, fees can be paid at the point of enrolment or in instalments. Additional fees may apply for some courses to cover materials or examinations. Students are advised to carefully check the tuition fees, including additional costs, for their preferred course prior to application.
BMet offers a selection of higher education qualifications alongside an expansive range of further education, vocational, professional development, and apprenticeship study options. All courses are developed with employability and modern industry expectations at their core.
Higher education courses include foundation degrees, Higher National Diplomas (HNDs), Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQS).
Courses at BMet are career-focused and offer employer-led practical learning opportunities with local businesses and industry partners. Students benefit from the college's friendly community atmosphere, small class sizes and first-class learning facilities.
Teaching staff at BMet are highly qualified and offer extensive support tailored to each individual. Tutors have significant professional expertise and bring their own unique industry insights and perspectives to the classroom.
University-level qualifications are offered in partnership with Birmingham City University, University of Worcester, and Pearson UK. BMet's college system enables it to streamline subject-specific resources effectively, with full and part-time study options available to allow for greater flexibility.
Higher education students can choose from a range of foundation degrees, Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) and Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) at BMet, across ten study areas:
BMet prides itself in offering an education delivered with every individual student's future career in mind. Students are able to develop their practical learning using the college's exemplary learning equipment and facilities and are taught by expert staff with industry experience.
The vast majority of higher education courses at BMet offer work experience opportunities with local businesses and industry partners, enabling students to make meaningful professional connections while they gain valuable workplace skills and knowledge. Furthermore, many courses are professionally accredited, meaning students graduate with the proven skillset to be a desirable employee in their industry.
For students wishing to further pursue their academic studies, BMet's partnerships with Birmingham City University and the University of Worcester mean that it is easy for students to transfer into the second or final year of an honours degree programme at either university.
2.0BMet does not have a dedicated students' union. However, each of its three main colleges has a designated student enrichment officer. All HE students can also access the student unions of partner universities.
Student enrichment officers advocate for the student body as a whole, and endeavour to make sure that all students have a meaningful and enjoyable college experience, both inside and outside of their studies.
Students can also become a learner representative for their course to share their view and ideas with the rest of the student body and faculty.
2.0BMet is proud to offer a diverse and inclusive study atmosphere. With a mission to empower and inspire its student body, it offers dedicated support to all students, both personally and academically.
BMet offers student support across the following areas:
All students are appointed a personal tutor who is on hand to support them throughout the course of their study programme. Personal tutors act as a regular point of contact with students and can offer both academic and pastoral support. Students can also access additional support through BMet's one-to-one student mentor scheme, which offers assistance with study skills, motivation and organisation.
At BMet, specialist help is always on hand, and staff can signpost students to external assistance where required.
3.5
