Wigan and Leigh College: Cour e , Admi ion , Review (2025)

Wigan and Leigh College is one of Greater Manchester’s oldest further and higher education institutions, reportedly founded in 1857, offering a broad mix of academic, vocational, and higher education courses across five campuses. This guide covers admissions, courses, fees, and student reviews, with sources you can check yourself.

Founded: Over 160 years ago (1850s) · Campuses: 5 locations · UCAS Code: 090716a0 · Contact: +44 1942 761111

Six key details at a glance: from founding to contact information, here’s what you need to know.

Is Wigan and Leigh College Good?

What do student reviews say?

• The college describes itself as providing courses across academic, technical, vocational, and apprenticeship pathways (Edarabia (education directory)).
• No prominent independent student review platform aggregates verified reviews for this college — a gap noted in search results.

What is the ranking of Wigan and Leigh College?

• Wigan and Leigh College does not feature in major UK university league tables because it is primarily a further education college.
• It is listed on UCAS as a higher education provider with code 090716a0 (The Uni Guide (UK university comparison site)).

How Do You Get Into Wigan and Leigh College?

Application process

• Applications are made online through the college’s official website (Wigan and Leigh College (official website)).
• Open to students aged 16+.
• Contact admissions directly at applications@wigan-leigh.ac.uk for guidance.

Entry requirements

• Requirements vary by course level — from no formal qualifications for entry-level courses to specific GCSE or A-level grades for advanced programs.
• The college welcomes applicants with learning difficulties, disabilities, sensory impairments, and physical impairments (Wigan Council (local authority)).

What this means: the college is inclusive by design. For GCSE/IGCSE maths preparation, prospective students can access Edexcel Maths Past Papers as a study resource.

How to apply online

• Visit the college website and navigate to the “Courses” or “Apply” section.
• Select your desired course and fill in the online application form.
• Submit and wait for the admissions team to contact you — usually within a few weeks.

The catch: the college doesn’t publicly list application deadlines for all courses, so early application is advisable.

What Type of College Is Wigan and Leigh College?

Further and higher education college

• It is a state-funded general further education college (Wigan and Leigh College (official website)) (this link used as primary source; other instances removed to comply with link limits).
• It offers both further education (GCSEs, A-levels, vocational qualifications) and higher education (HNC/Ds, top-up degrees, professional qualifications).

History and mission

• The college claims a history stretching back to the 1850s, though some sources list its established date as 1992 (Shiksha (study abroad platform)). This discrepancy likely reflects institutional mergers.
• Its mission is to provide accessible education and training to meet local skills needs in Greater Manchester.

Campuses

• The college operates five locations: Parson’s Walk Centre, School for the Arts, Pagefield Centre (Wigan), Leigh College, and The Image Centre (Leigh) (Edarabia (education directory)).

The pattern: the college is deeply embedded in the local community, with multiple sites spread across the borough.

What Courses Does Wigan and Leigh College Offer?

Full-time and part-time courses

• The college says it offers a wide range of full-time and part-time courses for people aged 16+.
• Subject areas include A-levels, access to higher education, accountancy, animal management, art and design, beauty and holistic therapy, teacher education, travel and tourism, and more (iSchoolConnect (education blog)).

Higher education degrees

• The college offers higher national diplomas (HNDs) in fields like applied science, business, counselling, digital technologies, travel and tourism, public services, and sport and exercise science (Shiksha (study abroad platform)).
• These HND courses typically last two years.

Fashion courses

• Fashion is not explicitly listed in the available source data, but the college does mention art and design as a subject area.
• For specific fashion offerings, prospective students should check the official course list directly.

The breadth of courses spans multiple levels, making it suitable for diverse educational goals.

What Are the Term Dates, Fees, and Results Day?

Term dates

• Term dates are published on the college website and typically follow the standard academic calendar (September to June).

Tuition fees

• For UK students, first-year tuition fees range from £4,500 to £7,500, with the most common fee being £7,500 (The Uni Guide (UK university comparison site)).
• Fees for international students are not publicly listed on the official site; contact admissions for details.

Results day schedule

• Results day for further education courses (GCSEs, A-levels) typically falls in August, as per the national UK exam calendar.
• Higher education results may vary by awarding body.

The variability in fees and dates underscores the need for early and direct inquiry.

How Many Students Attend Wigan and Leigh College?

Student population

• Edarabia reports the college serves over 14,000 people each year (Edarabia (education directory)), though the college itself does not confirm this number on its official site.
• Exact enrollment figures are not publicly disclosed.

International students

• The college welcomes international applicants, though specific visa support details are limited on the official website.
• For visa advice, international students can refer to the UK Visas and Immigration Guide for current requirements.

Enrollment figures remain opaque, but the college’s scale suggests a significant local impact.

Upsides and Downsides of Wigan and Leigh College

Step-by-Step Application Guide

1. Choose your course – Browse the official course list at the college website.
2. Check entry requirements – Look for specific academic or skill prerequisites on the course page.
3. Prepare documents – Have your previous qualifications, ID, and personal statement ready.
4. Apply online – Fill out the application form on the college website.
5. Submit and wait – The admissions team will review and contact you.
6. Accept offer – If successful, confirm your place and arrange payment if required.

Following these steps should streamline the application process.

What We Know vs What’s Unclear

• Confirmed: State-funded FE/HE college; five campuses; full-time and part-time courses; UCAS listed.
• Unclear: Exact student enrollment; acceptance rate (non-selective); precise fees per course; comprehensive independent reviews; founding date (1857 vs 1992).

The balance of confirmed facts and uncertainties highlights that while the college is well-established, some details require direct follow-up.

What People Are Saying

Wigan & Leigh College markets itself as offering a wide range of full-time and part-time courses for people aged 16+.

– Wigan and Leigh College (official website)

The college welcomes applicants with learning difficulties, disabilities, sensory impairments, and physical impairments.

– Wigan Council (local authority)

The paradox: the college’s own description paints a picture of inclusivity and breadth, but independent verification remains thin on the ground.

For students considering further education in Greater Manchester, the implication is clear: Wigan and Leigh College offers a solid, well-established pathway for a wide range of learners — but you’ll need to do your own research on specific costs, student satisfaction, and international support before committing.

Frequently asked questions

These answers address common queries, but for personalized advice, contacting admissions is recommended.

Prospective students should therefore verify details directly with the college.