The City of Liverpool College is a further education and higher education college in Liverpool, England.
The college is located over several sites across the Knowledge Quartera district in the Liverpool city centre. Community-based provision has been disestablished in response to reduction in funding provision by central government. ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses are likely to be the sole community-based provision.
History It was created in 1992, as City of Liverpool Community College, from the merger of four further education (FE) colleges in Liverpool, including Millbank College of Commerce. The college left LEA control in 1993, when it was incorporated as Liverpool Community College, under Companies House legislation. The college's first principal was Wally Brown. The college changed its name to The City of Liverpool College in 2013.
Organisation and administration The board is made up of representatives from local businesses and communities. Funding for The City of Liverpool College is provided through the Education and Skills Funding Agency, and includes a "Local Offer" as required by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, as Local Authority under the Children and Families Act.
College Campus There are four main college centres, all of which are within the City Centre area.
The Arts Centre The Arts Centre is the provider of arts teaching within the City of Liverpool College corporation. The college runs both college and university level courses from the college.
Creative Apprenticeships are run at this centre along with courses in: Art and Design Dance Drama Musical Theatre Events Management Fashion Graphic Design Interactive Design Journalism Media Theatre Technology 3D Design Music Music Technology Multimedia Photography ICT and Digital technologies
HE programmes in Creative and Digital Arts are also run at the Arts Centre.
Clarence Street Clarence Street centre was opened in 2001. The following courses can be chosen:
English and Humanities GCSEs A-levels(not anymore) Science Access to Science/Health Business Studies Higher Education Courses Teacher Education
Duke Street Opened in 2003, Duke Street offers the following course types:
Hospitality and Catering Bakery and Confectionery Travel, Tourism and Leisure Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy Holistic and Complementary Therapies Makeup Artistry English for Speakers of Other Languages English as a Foreign Language Professional Development
Vauxhall Road Opened in 2003 at a cost of over £10 million, this centre specialises in construction and engineering. The following course types can be chosen:
Brickwork Plastering Joinery Building services Electrical and gas installation Plumbing Motor Vehicle Engineering Electronic Engineering Manufacturing
The Learning Exchange The £35 million Learning Exchange on Roscoe Street is central to the College's city centre campus and houses all its student support services, including finance, exams and careers advice and guidance.
The Learning Exchange is the location for courses in health care and child studies and Sport, Exercise & Fitness - including Uniformed Services. It is also home to HE programmes in computing and business with accounting.
Qualifications available The college offers traditional academic qualifications such as GCSEs, as well as vocational courses at national certificate, diploma and higher national level. It also offers programmes at foundation and master's degree level.
On GCSE results day 2026, the decision was announced that first year A-level courses would not take place affecting approximately 80 students and staff. The college attributed the inconvenience to a lack of demand for A-level courses that year, forcing the affected students to pursue alternative options.
The college also provides a range of professional qualifications such as Microsoft Systems Administrator, Microsoft Office Specialist and CISCO CCNA. Students studying these areas may have chosen these as a way to enhance their prior knowledge.
Awards Several awards have been won by students and staff alike for their involvement in the local area.
Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust and the College won the HSJ Patient Safety Award for Virtual or Remote Care Initiative of the Year for an innovation patient video. One of the college's staff, Christopher Butler, who was involved in the HSJ Award, is nominated for Innovator of the Year in the Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards.
See also Liverpool Knowledge Quarter
References
External links
Rating and reports from Ofsted