North West Regional College is a further education and higher education college in the north west region of Northern Ireland. The College has three main campuses: Strand Road, Derry, Main Street, Limavady and Derry Road, Strabane.

Following a review of Further Education in Northern Ireland by the Northern Ireland Assembly's Department for Employment and Learning, North West Regional College was established on 1 August 2007, merging the former North West Institute of Further and Higher Education and Limavady College of Further and Higher Education.

Over the last 100 years the college and its preceding organisations have provided educational courses both to school leavers and adults of Derry City, County Londonderry and County Donegal, and other surrounding counties both in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Each year approximately 25,000 full-time and part-time students attend the College to undertake a range of vocational and academic courses.

Overview of provision

Full time courses are offered across a range of Level 1 – Level 5 qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework:

• NVQs Level 1 – 4. Duration and entry requirements vary
• BTEC First Diploma. 1 year course, equivalent to 4 GCSEs
• BTEC National Diploma. 2 year course, equivalent to 3 A Levels
• BTEC Higher National Diploma
• Foundation Degree

The college also offers a number of Honours Degrees validated by universities.

Part time provision at the college offers both non-vocational or recreational courses in addition to vocational education and academic programmes.

College centres

In addition to the College’s three main campuses, there are 5 additional main College centres where courses are co-ordinated and delivered:

• Glendermott Centre, Glendermott Business Park, Derry
• Greystone Centre, Greystone Road, Limavady
• Maydown Centre, Carrakeel Drive, Derry
• Northside Centre, Glengalliagh Road, Derry
• Springtown Centre, Springtown Road, Derry

Academic schools

North West Regional College currently has 12 academic schools:

Art & design

The School of Art & Design includes the popular National Diplomas in Art & Design & Design Crafts, Foundation Studies in Art & Design, HNDs in Fine Art, Spatial Design and Design Textiles. In addition students can now study for a full honours degree in these areas through the college's partnership with Leeds Metropolitan University.

Business & financial services

The programmes on offer through this school encompass Administration, Business, the popular International Association of Book-keepers Level 2/3 Certificates, the HNDs in Business and Financial Services, and the new Career Academy.

Community education

Working in partnership with local community organisations, the college runs a portfolio of courses in local venues throughout County Londonderry, County Tyrone and further afield.

Computing

The college has been awarded a Centre of Excellence in Software Engineering by the Department of Employment and Learning. Programmes in this school include CREAM (Computer Rendered Entertainment and Media), the HNDs in Interactive Computer Entertainment and General Computing, and the Foundation Degree in Computer Software Development.

Construction, engineering & science

North West Regional College is also a Centre of Excellence in Construction & the Built Environment. This school provides a wide range of courses in the fields of engineering, science, and construction and the built environment. Courses are offered from First Diploma through to Foundation Degree level.

The college are also a Cisco Networking Academy and offer CCNA 1 - 4 Discovery, Wireless Essentials and Security.

Craft services

The college provides training and education in a range of trades and crafts, through the Department of Employment and Learning's Training for Success programme. This enables students to gain recognised qualifications and work experience in disciplines including brickwork, carpentry & joinery, plumbing, tiling, motor vehicle studies, decorative occupations and more.

Early years, children and young people

This school provides courses to enable students to prepare for careers working with children and young people. They range from Level 1 Certificates through to HND level qualifications.

Foundation access & general education

The Access programmes offered by the college are designed for adult learners returning to education, who wish to enhance their qualifications. In addition the School of Foundation Access and General Education co-ordinates the College’s Essential Skills programmes that improve literacy and numeracy.

Hairdressing & beauty therapy

The college offers NVQ programmes at Level 2 and Level 3 in both Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy, in addition to an NVQ Level 2 in Hair & Beauty combined. These courses blend work experience with learning in college to enable preparation for employment.

Health & social care

Courses in this school prepare students for further study or employment in Care, Health Science, Health & Social Care, or Social Work, through the Honours Degree validated by the University of Ulster.

Hospitality, tourism & sport

Courses in this school are offered through NVQ, BTEC ND & HND qualifications and Foundation Degrees, and allow students to train in professional cookery, hospitality management, travel and tourism, or sports studies.

Media, multimedia & performing arts

In 2007 the college was awarded Skillset approval for two HND programmes – the HND in Interactive Media and the HND in Media (Moving Image). Within this school are also the college's courses in Drama and Performing Arts and Journalism, for which the college was awarded a third Centre of Excellence.

References

External links

• North West Regional College official website