Black Mountains College (BMC) was founded in response to the climate and ecological emergency. Its mission is to help build a sustainable future where both people and nature can thrive.
Located on the northern edge of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park in South Wales (Talgarth), BMC is a new and imaginative education centre focused on sustainable development, ecological action, and adaptation. BMC offers forward-thinking courses that prepare students to make a real difference in the world.
BMC provides further and higher education qualifications within an inclusive and supportive community. Learning takes place in classrooms, workshops, and outdoors — where nature itself becomes the classroom.
In 2023, the college launched its first degree with Cardiff Metropolitan University: the BA (Hons) Sustainable Futures: Arts, Ecology and Systems Change. This unique programme helps students build practical skills across ecology, systems thinking, the arts, and technology, preparing them to understand and lead meaningful change.
The course equips students with the ‘green' and sustainability skills that are now in high demand across business, government, and the charity sector — setting them up for a career in which they use their profession to make a positive contribution to the world.
BMC's main campus lies within the National Park on a 120-acre farm, Troed yr Harn — an experimental nature recovery project transforming former grazing land into regenerated woodland, organic orchards, and nature-friendly farming. It also teaches in nearby Talgarth, including a newly renovated low carbon Community Centre and creative studio spaces.
At BMC, education is practical and regenerative — focused on rethinking how people live, learn, and connect with the world. It encourages students to explore their impact on communities and the planet, and to work together on real solutions to the climate and ecological challenges we all face. BMC's degree combines theory and practice, emphasising action-oriented learning that addresses the wide needs of both neurotypical and neurodiverse learners.
This is what BMC students say about the college:
''BMC provides a unique learning opportunity in a fantastic environment, with knowledgeable and inspiring tutors who have a passion for subjects that really matter''
''I feel that as we are a small community of learners we have a lot of scope for our tutors to tailor sessions specifically, pause on things that need more time, give us 1:1 support when necessary.''
BMC is a growing campus, and many of the practices being taught are actively employed in the creation of new sustainable spaces and facilities for students to use.
The original farm site, Troed-yr-Harn, is equipped with classrooms, workshop spaces, fire pit, shower facilities, an outdoor kitchen, and a camping field. For teaching the college uses the indoor spaces, as well as the fields and mountains surrounding the site.
In Talgarth students have access to newly retrofitted, low carbon classroom and community space, as well as a creative studio space. A subject-specific library and IT facilities are available. Students additionally have access to the library, facilities, and resources at Cardiff Metropolitan University.
Most students make their home in the small, creative town of Talgarth, a welcoming community surrounded by wild hills, rivers, and woodland. There's always something happening, from local music and art events to outdoor adventures like hiking, kayaking, and climbing.
The BMC campus is well connected to Hereford, Hay-on-Wye, Crickhowell, and Brecon by public transport, linking students to a wider network of artists, activists, and changemakers across the region.
At BMC, students live and learn in one of the UK's most biodiverse areas. The landscapes of Bannau Brycheiniog aren't just a backdrop — they're a classroom, a collaborator, and a source of constant inspiration. Every day offers a chance to learn from the land, connect with others, and co-create new ways of living and making.
The Black Mountains is home to some of the best festivals in the UK, and these include:
Whether students move into work or continue studying, BMC's degree prepares them for a rapidly changing world.
At Black Mountains College, students will develop essential skills in:
These are highly valued across every field. Many organisations — from businesses to local councils — now have sustainability teams or climate officers, and climate reporting is becoming a legal requirement in several sectors. The degree also provides a strong foundation for careers in research and academia.
Example Career Pathways:
As a pioneering student at BMC, students will be part of a growing global network of supporters, experts, and professionals who share a commitment to creating meaningful change.
In their third year, students focus on a personal specialism through an individual research project that includes a work placement, civic project, or new initiative. Students will build a professional portfolio and gain real-world experience to bridge their studies into employment.
BMC graduates leave with an interdisciplinary degree, practical experience, and a clear sense of how to make a difference. The college also offers part-time student ambassador roles so students can earn while they learn, gaining extra experience and adding to their CV along the way.
First-year degree students are guaranteed accommodation, whether directly provided or found through a third-party supplier. The student support team can assist with sourcing and securing placement.
College accommodation options start from £120 per week, with local host options in nearby towns starting from £100 per week. BMC is a car-free campus, and students are encouraged to walk or cycle where possible. The college organises a minibus from Talgarth to learning sites for lessons.
Students in the historic market town of Talgarth quickly become part of a tight-knit community with like-minded peers, and engage in collaborative learning outside the classroom. The landscapes are stunning and students benefit from immersing themselves in the same natural environments that they are studying.
There is a money advice service at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Black Mountains College also has a small student hardship fund for students experiencing financial difficulty.
Applicants can find further information regarding funding their studies and additional living expenses on the college website.
The college also has one-year further education NVQ courses that are fully funded by the Welsh Government for all students. If students are interested in those then they should visit the FE student finance guide.
BMC runs an open admissions policy, aimed at attracting the widest spectrum of participants and offering the best possible access to higher education for those who wish to get involved. There are no formal entry requirements for any courses offered at the college.
Applications can be submitted through UCAS: Cardiff Metropolitan University/Black Mountains College or directly via the application page on BMC's website. Admission is determined through the submission of portfolios, interviews, and the personal statement students provide as part of their application. The college looks for potential rather than just academic grades.
Black Mountains College is looking for people with the will and desire to contribute to worldwide change, and to build a more sustainable and harmonious future for generations to come. The college has committed to refining its application process in future, to ensure that the students who care about creating sustainable futures can fulfil their ambitions with study at BMC.
The BA (Hons) Sustainable Futures: Arts, Ecology, and Systems Change undergraduate degree course is priced in line with UK government guidelines, currently £9,250 per year for domestic students.
UK students can apply for a student loan to cover the costs of tuition fees through the Student Finance Wales portal. UK and Irish students living and studying in Wales may also be eligible for a grant to cover living costs, as well as additional loan schemes. These financial awards are calculated based on household income.
BMC teaches a unique skills-based, community-oriented curriculum. The college offers a range of full-time NVQ courses, in topics such as regenerative horticulture, nature recovery, coppicing and greenwood trades, and agroecology. These courses are taught through a combination of hands-on indoor and outdoor learning, supported by classroom theory sessions.
BMC's flagship bachelor's degree programme, BA (Hons) Sustainable Futures: Arts, Ecology and Systems Change, is a new and innovative interdisciplinary programme, which combines study of theories of change with creative artistic practice, political economies, ecology, and socio-technical systems.
The course is taught by BMC's small, enthusiastic team of researchers, activists and practitioners, who have a wealth of ideas and experiences to share with their new students and who are passionate about their expertise. The team is interdisciplinary, and features experts in field such as ecology, arts, movement building and activism, community organisation, systems change, climate science, education, regenerative agriculture, technology, design, futures thinking, imagination and more.
Because BMC knows that students learn best in small groups, its seminars are capped at 20 students. This creates a supportive learning environment with a lot of space for the students' individual needs, and for tutors to support students with whatever they may be struggling with –whether that is study skills or pastoral issues.
BMC's strength lies in its mission to prepare students for a high-tech, zero carbon future, and in its plans to implement a programme of sustainable and ecologically creative schemes on its 120-acre campus in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.
The college has been established as a response to the worldwide climate emergency, and its flagship ‘BA (Hons) Sustainable Futures: Arts, Ecology and Systems Change' course has been developed entirely from scratch by some of the most experienced and ecologically conscious minds in environmentalism today, guaranteeing an exceptionally high standard of education using the latest developments and trends.
Graduates become members of three alumni groups; BMC, Cardiff Met, and the Open Society University Network, and enjoy the full benefits of an ongoing relationship with each institution. This helps students to grow and maintain a professional network of individuals working in similar fields, which can open up exciting career opportunities, and provide useful resources for continued development.
The Student Society shapes the governance of the college in addition to organising trips, activities and parties. Black Mountains College is a partner of Cardiff Metropolitan University and that means students will be a member of the University's Student Union, either online, at the university or via the Black Mountains College Student Society.
Students participate in community-led initiatives, including local sustainability projects, community orchard and woodland groups, therapeutic horticulture groups, book clubs, creative activities, meals, and celebrations. There are also opportunities to attend workshops, talks, and skill-sharing or volunteering events.
BMC hosts numerous events throughout the year. Many of these align with the Celtic Wheel of the Year, celebrating the changing seasons through themed gatherings. Freshers' Week kicks off the academic year with social activities, helping students connect and settle in.
The area offers a host of sports and other outdoor activities, as well as great pubs, cafes and cultural centres. Talgarth is home to a respected rugby club with play at all levels, plus accessible facilities for a range of sports, from football to tennis, yoga, judo, gym work and more.
The area is ideal for outdoor pursuits, including canoeing, mountaineering, horse riding, hiking, biking and wild swimming are available across Bannau Brycheiniog. Students can also get involved in allotments, rural crafts, beekeeping, baking, woodland management, foraging, arts, film, museums etc. Theatres and cinemas are easily accessed in Brecon and Hay-on-Wye.
BA students become part of the wider college community and the approximately 70 students on the other (NVQ) courses. The student cohort is diverse in terms of age and backgrounds, all with a passion for nature, sustainability, and social justice.
The BMC Student Society organises activities, events, showcases, and trips. Students can seek representation, employment, and have their voice heard.
Students are encouraged to get involved in BMC processes, including land use planning, growing food, admissions processes, and mentoring.
Student voice is extremely important at Black Mountains College. Students are involved in a range of governance structures as part of the college, and can become representatives to share their views and become a valued part of the expansion and development of the college.
BMC considers the provision of effective and well-funded student support services a top priority. Its student services team is made up of a dedicated group of individuals who are part of the tight-knit BMC community, making great efforts to cultivate the student experience alongside students and staff members.
The team listens and provides advice and guidance across all aspects of student life, whether academic, career-related or personal. A dedicated student support officer can address issues quickly, with students actively encouraged to make use of the support services to allow them to fully focus on their academic success. BMC welcomes neurodiversity in its students and have a range of practices in place to address the unique needs of all learners.
Students are also able to make use of weekly study skills workshops with the student support lead and can receive additional one-to-one support if required. Additional supervised studio time is available to those looking to develop their own projects, and students can also contribute to food-growing on campus, with weekly sessions promoting self-sufficiency and sustainable food systems.
Students also have free and full access to the resources and specialist services available at Cardiff Metropolitan University. These wider resources can help with issues that may require funding beyond BMC, such as formal counselling or specialist help with accessibility needs.
