UCEN Manchester (The Manchester College)

UCEN Manchester offers higher education courses in a range of subject areas, including Music, Performing Arts, Construction and Media Make-up. Courses are practical and have been designed to give you the required vocational training needed for a career in the industry.  There are 14 campuses making up the college, spread across Manchester in the north, south and centre of the city.

The college is one of 13 institutes in the country to carry the National Skills Academy for Hospitality accreditation. There are three training restaurants across the campuses, allowing for hospitality and catering students to practice their skills in a real working environment.

Facilities at the college include hair and beauty salons, science labs and photography studios, as well as art and design studios.

Throughout your time studying, you will have the chance to work on live briefs with companies across the city, giving you vital industry experience to help you stand out in the job market.

Courses at the UCEN Manchester incorporate work placements, giving you vital industry experience and the chance to build up contacts for your future career. Last year, 91% of their students found work or went on to further study within six months of graduating.

Their Guidance and Welfare service will offer you career related advice on a one-to-one basis, and you’ll also be able to discuss your job goals with a personal tutor.

All higher education courses at UCEN Manchester are validated by one of the following partner universities or awarding bodies:

• Manchester Metropolitan University
• University of Huddersfield
• Sheffield Hallam University
• Pearson UK

Courses are vocational and aim to give you the skills required for a job in the industry. Depending on the subject, you may be assessed through assignments, portfolio work, research, presentations, case studies and practical work. Teaching will include seminars, workshops, group tutorials and field trips.

The college has a student council, which are a group of elected students representing each subject area. As a student, you will be able to have a say in how you think the college should be run, taking part in student surveys and reporting to the student council members.

The College works with Manchester Student Homes to help you find accredited accommodation. You will be able to find house shares with your friends, studio apartments and even rooms in university halls.

Each of the main campuses has a Learning Resource Centre, equipped with a wide range of books, journals, computers and online reading material.

Creative facilities across the sites include industry standard theatres, recording studios, DJ booths, rehearsal rooms, editing suites and a community radio station.

Hair and Beauty salons at the college train students, and offer discounted treatments on haircuts, nail services, makeup and facials. There are also a number of training restaurants, which host themed evenings and serve a range of food and drink at discounted prices. 

Studying in Manchester will ensure that you always have something to do in your spare time. For shopping, there is the famous Trafford Centre for all your favourite high street and designer brands, while one off vintage shops can be found in the Northern Quarter.

Rich in culture, there are plenty of museums and galleries spread around the city, including Whitworth Art Gallery, which displays world famous paintings from the likes of Picasso and Van Gough.

From drinking along Canal Street in the summer at one of the many vibrant bars, to going to a stand-up comedy show, attending a theatre performance or seeing an up and coming band play at a gig, evenings in Manchester will never be boring.

There are also excellent transport links across the city, making it easy for you to visit other popular nearby cities in your spare time, including Liverpool, Leeds and York. 

The College has a number of sports clubs for you to join, including American football, futsal, men’s boxing, men’s basketball – linked to The Manchester Giants, men’s football – linked to FC United and women’s football. 

Disabled students will be able to arrange a one-to-one meeting with an advisor and discuss the best way for them to assist you during your time studying at the college.

There is also a Chaplaincy, nurseries for students with children over six months old and the Guidance and Welfare team, who can help you with everything from money matters to finding part-time work. You will be able to speak to a member of the team via email, at a one – to – one consultation or at a drop in centre. All students will also be assigned a personal tutor, who will be able to help you with any academic or personal matters. 

There are no listed fees currently online. You can find them out by contacting the college directly. 

Students aged between 18 – 25
If you provide your annual household income online on the Student Finance website, you’ll be able to calculate the amount of funding you are eligible for. 

Hospitality
The college holds the National Skills Academy for Hospitality accreditation. Students will be able to develop their practical skills through training at one of the restaurants across the campuses, while graduates go on to find work in restaurants, hotels and in the tourism and leisure industries.

Music
Music students will have access to modern facilities, including four recording studios, live performance venues, rehearsal rooms and DJ booths. You will be supported in a small class, with a dedicated tutor. Graduates have gone on to find work in production, while others have recorded live performances.

To study a Higher National Diploma (the equivalent of two years of a university degree) in Hospitality Management, you will need to demonstrate your prior knowledge in the industry, either through employment or through a BTEC Level 3 qualification.

To study Professional Music Production/ Performance as a Foundation Degree, you will need to have either a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma or A levels – a C or above in either Music Technology or Performance. 

Entry requirements depend on the course you apply for – please check with the college for details.