The lowdown on our courses

Subjects

Art & Design

Business & Professional Services

Childcare & Early Years

Computer Science & ICT

Construction

Engineering

Fashion

Foundation Learning

Games Design

Health & Social Care

Horticulture & Conservation

Media, Music & Performance

Medical & Science

Sport & Exercise Science

Travel & Tourism

Uniformed Public Services

Plumbing and Electrical

A Levels

Law

Art & Design

Why study Art & Design?

  • The creative sector continues to grow at more than twice the rate of other industries and is pivotal to the UK economy (the sector makes up 5.5% of the economy as a whole)
  • You will acquire new and specialist skills that will lead to a career in the industry
  • Our courses are accredited by the prestigious UALAB (University of the Arts London Awarding Body)
  • You will learn in cutting edge design facilities
  • You will work on live projects for real clients & develop a portfolio of work to show prospective employers

Average Earnings Potential

Potential guide only

£25-30k

Business & Professional Services

Why study a Business & Professional Services qualification?

  • The business and professional services sector is a large area of growth across the region
  • High starting salaries and early responsibility are to be expected
  • We have strong links with firms across the sector
  • As part of the Greater Birmingham Professional Academy at Matthew Boulton College, students will get an opportunity to: – Have a mentor and receive one-to-one guidance and support from professionals in the sector – Attend workshops from business leaders within our partner organisations – to help expand your business knowledge and awareness
  • There are numerous work experience opportunities with local and national organisations
  • You will learn transferrable skills and gain a global perspective
  • There are accounts and business apprenticeships available with us!

Average Earnings Potential

Potential guide only

£45k

Childcare & Early Years

Why study Childcare & Early Years?

  • The childcare and early years sector is worth £5.57 billion in the UK and there is a constant demand for high-quality care professionals
  • Benefit from direct entry into your chosen profession – primary schools teaching or nursery/early years settings
  • We offer a range of childcare courses from Level 1 to Level 3
  • Childcare apprenticeships available with us!

Average Earnings Potential

Potential guide only

£17-23k

Computer Science & ICT

Why study Computer Science & ICT?

  • Gain up-to-date skills and knowledge in computer science, gaming, cyber security, virtual reality and augmented reality are in more demand than ever
  • Our software expertise will enhance the knowledge you gain an we will ensure you’re using cutting edge technology during your studies with us
  • Our courses provide an opportunity to progress with us on to higher level courses including apprenticeships, HNDs and degrees in Computer Science
  • ICT apprenticeships are available with us!

Average Earnings Potential

Potential guide only

£45-50k

Construction

Why study Construction?

  • The building trade is soaring – with over 200,000 construction jobs set to be created in the next five years, according to the Construction Industry Training Board
  • At James Watt College you will be taught in our Baxi Innovation Academy – one of the UK’s leading facilities for the teaching of construction.
  • At the Erdington Skills Centre, you can learn traditional trades such as carpentry, bricklaying, plumbing and electrical techniques
  • You get to build the stuff people depend on and see immediate results from your work – who doesn’t want to make a difference?!
  • Construction apprenticeships available with us!

Average Earnings Potential

Potential guide only

£25-30k

Engineering

Why study Engineering?

  • Engineering is a broad field that offers exciting career opportunities where you’ll get to be creative, solve problems and explore how things work every day
  • Engineering can offer a chance to continually develop and improve a product or range of products, making a difference to people’s lives.
  • Rail engineering is another key sector that we are currently working in, with a huge growth in our own rail academy
  • We have CAD courses using auto-cad and solid-works software – to equip you with the ability to produce drawings of the highest standard for architectural and engineering development
  • We have partnerships with BMW, as well as other major national companies, which means industry insight and support
  • We offer engineering and manufacturing apprenticeships with some of the world’s largest employers

Average Earnings Potential

Potential guide only

£36k

Fashion

Why study Fashion?

  • Fashion contributes nearly £21 billion to the UK economy and is the largest employer of all the creative industries.
  • A number of our courses are accredited by the prestigious UALAB (University of the Arts London Awarding Body)
  • Our fashion labs at Matthew Boulton College attract hundreds of learners eager to learn in the vibrant setting
  • You will get to work on collaborative projects and take part in exciting visits and activities
  • Benefit from first-hand experience on practical projects such as organising an ‘on location’ photoshoot, an end of year show, producing a magazine, creating a catwalk event or running a pop up shop

Average Earnings Potential

Potential guide only

£39k

Foundation Learning

Why study Foundation Learning?

  • Foundation Learning is the name given to courses at Entry Level to Level 1 and is a great opportunity for you to continue your education at your own pace
  • We offer personalised programmes all aimed at your needs, with lots of support – so you can get the most out of your course
  • Courses are bite sized to keep you interested, motivated and inspired and the experience will give you a new love of learning – that you may have thought you’d never have!
  • Most of our students go on to study Level 1, 2 and 3 qualifications in a wide variety of subject areas.

Games Design

Why study Games Design?

  • Be at the centre of the future of entertainment
  • The video game sector is booming, and showing no signs of slowing down
  • We have led the way in delivering games design and programming in the Midlands for over a decade
  • Our courses are accredited by University of Arts London – this means our courses are delivered to their standards and specification, ensuring that you should have an interview for any UAL course at universities around the country!
  • Use the latest industry standard professional level software including Adobe CS, Autodesk Maya, Autodesk Motion Builder, Mudbox Unreal 4 and Construct 2
  • Learn to create professional level assets such as characters, vehicles, environments and objects – for current gen platforms such as PC, Playstation 4 and Xbox One
  • Work on 3D games environments and levels using Unreal technology as used in Gears of War, Mass Effect and Dead Island

Average Earnings Potential

Potential guide only

£39k

Health & Social Care

Why study Health & Social Care?

  • Promoting a healthy lifestyle, caring for the elderly and infirm and becoming a medical practitioner, are arguably some of the most fulfilling career paths a person could pursue.
  • Other careers include working in children’s healthcare, mental health care, midwifery, social work and teaching
  • Healthcare is one of the fastest growing sectors. As people live longer, more and more people need care and support, so you can rest assured that there will always be a huge demand for your skills and experience
  • Benefit from specialist teaching with us to future proof your career
  • Gain hands on experience at a series of practical workshops

Average Earnings Potential

Potential guide only

£25k

Horticulture & Conservation

Why study Horticulture & Conservation?

  • Our Horticultural Academy based at Birmingham Botanical Gardens specialises in providing qualifications in horticulture and conservation
  • Horticulture qualifications provide essential skills for working in many different land-based areas including landscaping, tree surgery, parks and recreation and garden centres
  • Study in unique surroundings with 15 acres of landscaped gardens planted with roses, alpines, perennials, rare trees and shrubs
  • Courses are ideal for those looking for a career in horticulture, floristry and conservation
  • Guest lectures from industry experts and workshops to help expand your knowledge
  • Benefit from a mentor programme – where you will receive one-to-one guidance and support from sector professionals
  • Horticulture apprenticeships available with us!

Average Earnings Potential

Potential guide only

£28k

Media, Music & Performance

Why study Media, Music & Performance?

  • Media Production at our colleges cover a wide range of digital and creative media areas such as film, television, animation, radio, print, web and social media
  • We encourage you to develop as content producers
  • Enjoy the benefit of using our professional facilities including our industry standard broadcast and radio suite, green screen room and Mac suite
  • Get to work on live project briefs with local community and industry organisations
  • Work with our celebrated, industry experienced teaching staff
  • We have our own broadcast studios, record label and performing arts academy which will help you gain the necessary skills and experience as an aspiring artist or technician
  • Our Performing Arts Academy – based at Sutton Coldfield College has a growing reputation for excellence in the teaching of acting, dance and musical theatre
  • Matthew Boulton College is the home of Forerunner Records – the hub from which our music performance and technology students get to write, record, perform and release their material

Average Earnings Potential

Potential guide only

£42k

Medical & Science

Why study Medical Science?

  • Our colleges boast exceptional laboratories for the teaching of applied, forensic and medical science.
  • We are also the regional STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Centre for the West Midlands
  • We host and participate in many events that promote the study of these subjects at GCSE level and beyond
  • Courses in dental are run at Matthew Boulton College, with access to world-class technology in our Straumann Centre of Excellence
  • We have links with Birmingham Dental Hospital and Health Education West Midlands

Average Earnings Potential

Potential guide only

£40k

Sport & Exercise Science

James Watt:

Matthew Boulton:

Sutton Coldfield:

Why study Sport & Exercise Science?

  • If you want to combine your love of sport with a career in the fitness industry, our courses are perfect for you. You could end up being a personal trainer, PE teacher or sports coach.
  • We have excellent facilities to learn in – to develop your sporting prowess and knowledge!
  • Sports performance and excellence courses are delivered at Sutton Coldfield College and at our Centre of Sporting Excellence at Brinton’s Field
  • Our Football Academy students train alongside Kidderminster Harriers FC at our Centre of Sporting Excellence at Brinton’s Field, Kidderminster
  • We have exercise and fitness suites at our main sites for you to train outside of your classes

Average Earnings Potential

Potential guide only

£26k

Travel & Tourism

Why study Travel & Tourism?

  • Our travel and tourism qualifications will give you the knowledge and skills required to pursue careers in tour operations, accommodation, promotion, hospitality and event planning.
  • The Airline Cabin Room at Sutton Coldfield College gives a real taste of the airline industry – with passenger seating areas and aisles.
  • Students will also gain a variety of experience at UK airports as part of their course
  • Travel and tourism is one of the biggest industries in the world and provides a wealth of employment opportunities around the globe
  • By studying tourism, you position yourself right in the very centre of the service industry. You will learn skills that are transferable to many other industries

Average Earnings Potential

Potential guide only

£24k

Uniformed Public Services

Why study Uniformed Public Services?

  • Our courses provide you with a strong skills and knowledge base; preparing you for a career within the armed forces, police, fire, ambulance, navy, RAF, prison, security or immigration services
  • You’ll get to visit army barracks, RAF bases and training grounds, so that you can develop a better understanding of what it means to represent the uniformed services
  • Physical fitness is very important in many of these roles, along with good communication, team working and problem solving skills
  • Our superb gym facilities will help you to train and build your physical strength and fitness

Average Earnings Potential

Potential guide only

£37k

Plumbing and Electrical

Plumbing and Electrical

  • The creative sector continues to grow at more than twice the rate of other industries and is pivotal to the UK economy (the sector makes up 5.5% of the economy as a whole)
  • You will acquire new and specialist skills that will lead to a career in the industry
  • Our courses are accredited by the prestigious UALAB (University of the Arts London Awarding Body)
  • You will learn in cutting edge design facilities
  • You will work on live projects for real clients & develop a portfolio of work to show prospective employers

Average Earnings Potential

Potential guide only

£25-30k

A Levels

Sutton Coldfield:

Why study A Levels?

  • The creative sector continues to grow at more than twice the rate of other industries and is pivotal to the UK economy (the sector makes up 5.5% of the economy as a whole)
  • You will acquire new and specialist skills that will lead to a career in the industry
  • Our courses are accredited by the prestigious UALAB (University of the Arts London Awarding Body)
  • You will learn in cutting edge design facilities
  • You will work on live projects for real clients & develop a portfolio of work to show prospective employers

Average Earnings Potential

Potential guide only

£25-30k

Law

Matthew Boulton:

Why study Law?

  • The creative sector continues to grow at more than twice the rate of other industries and is pivotal to the UK economy (the sector makes up 5.5% of the economy as a whole)
  • You will acquire new and specialist skills that will lead to a career in the industry
  • Our courses are accredited by the prestigious UALAB (University of the Arts London Awarding Body)
  • You will learn in cutting edge design facilities
  • You will work on live projects for real clients & develop a portfolio of work to show prospective employers

Average Earnings Potential

Potential guide only

£25-30k