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Cambria University Centre

Overview

At Cambria, our university level courses are all designed with employment in mind to maximise your career potential. Every year, increasing numbers of students choose to study degree-level courses with us.

We have invested millions of pounds into our facilities and sites, and our students have reaped the rewards, achieving outstanding results and better graduate employment prospects. Employer input ensures you develop the skills needed to succeed in your chosen career.

Why Study With Cambria University Centre?

Below are just a few of the many reasons you should study with Cambria University Centre:

Focusing on your future – All of our programmes are designed with your future employment in mind with lecturers sharing their expert industry knowledge through their teachings
Convenience – By studying locally you could save a substantial amount of money, with no accommodation fees. There is also a bursary and student support available
Support – Our inclusion teams work hard to provide you with individual advice and guidance tailored to your own specific needs and career goals.

Highlights from the latest published Quality Assurance Statement can be found here.

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Frequently asked questions

Level of study

Higher Education (HE) means any level of study beyond A Levels or Level 3 vocational qualifications.

This can include:

HNC/ HND
Foundation degrees
Full degrees (BA, BSc BEng)
Higher Apprenticeships (known as Degree Apprenticeships in England)
Professional qualifications at Level 4+ including leadership and management and technical qualifications in work-related areas such as Accounting, Human Resources, Health and Safety etc.

Entry requirements

We award places based as much on life skills and experience as we do on subject-related qualifications. As a result, we have a diverse student community made up of college leavers as well as mature students looking to progress or change their careers.

Our exact entry requirements are listed in the individual course outlines.

University partners

All Cambria degree level courses are validated by some of the best universities in the UK. Our current partners are Bangor University, Swansea University, Liverpool John Moores University, Wrexham University and Pearson.

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Engineering Technology Centre
Bersham Road

Bersham Road has undergone an £8.5m redevelopment to create a sector-leading centre for Engineering and Construction Technologies. The Engineering Technology Centre (ETC) is a purpose built state of the art Engineering Centre with 2 floors of modern, interactive facilities. It is home to some of the most modern engineering equipment in Wales.

Engineering University Centre
Deeside

The multi-million pound University Centre, based at our Deeside site, has been developed in partnership with Swansea University. The University Centre provides ultra modern teaching facilities for learners enrolled on our university level courses and also acts as a base for learners enrolled at Swansea University who are undertaking placements at British Aerospace in Broughton.

Yale

Cambria Yale has a long-standing reputation for excellence and is home to Yale Sixth, many vocational courses and apprenticeships. Yale features an impressive range of facilities with extensive resources and has recently undergone a £20m redevelopment. Specialist teaching facilities include well-equipped science laboratories, computer suites and art studios. All students have access to the latest technology and are encouraged to use the university style library which has space over three floors to undertake private study.

Cambria Business School
Northop

Northop has undergone a significant investment to create a sector leading Business School for higher level learning. The new Business School has 2 floors of modern, interactive facilities and is home to our professional development courses, degree level courses and employer training.

Animal Care Centre
Northop

The stunning facilities at Northop Animal Centre are set in rural countryside. The college houses a diverse collection of species to kick start your career with animals. The Northop site is well known for its inclusive and welcoming atmosphere and our students grow and thrive in this environment.

Cambria University Centre
Deeside

The Cambria University Centre at Deeside is home to our education and childhood studies students. The centre is located at the heart of the Deeside site in a dedicated Higher Education learning zone with easy access to library and study facilities.

Overview

At Cambria University Centre we offer a broad range of Higher Education / Higher Technical Skill qualifications, designed to help you develop both academic knowledge and job-relevant skills. In partnership with some of the best universities and employers in Wales and England, we are able to offer you high quality, vocational degrees and higher level technical qualifications.

We understand that some of these qualifications may be unfamiliar, so here’s a brief overview of what each type involves and how they can support your career goals:

Qualifications

Access to Higher Education (HE)

Our Level 3 Access to Higher Education courses prepare you to study for a degree and are designed for people who left school without the usual qualifications. You can enrol on an Access to HE course to help you return to learning and progress to degree level study.

HNC and HND - Higher National Certificate/Diploma

A Higher National Certificate or Diploma is a vocational qualification that gives you the skills to put your knowledge into use for a particular job.

Highly valued by employers, they offer an alternative route into Higher Education. A HNC usually takes one year of full time study or two years of part time study and equates to completing your first year at university.

A HND usually takes two years of full time study, three years of part time study or one year as a ‘top up’ if you have already completed a HNC. A HND qualification can sometimes allow direct entry to a third year degree programme.

HN Flex (Study per Module)

HN Flex offers students the chance to study stackable skills within a single BTEC Higher National qualification from our range of subjects, with the progression opportunity to a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Higher National Diploma (HND) qualification, achieving a Certificate of Unit Credit (CoUC) upon completion of the individual units studied.

Foundation Degrees (Fdsc, FdA, FdEng)

A foundation degree is a qualification which combines academic study with workplace learning. They are designed and developed with employers and are the equivalent to studying for the first two years at university.

Degrees (BSc, BA, BEnd)

Upon completion of your HND or foundation degree you can top up your degree to Bachelor’s level, equating to a third year of university. Our range of degree courses continues to expand and are widely supported by employers who contribute to the development of these courses.

Higher Apprenticeships

Higher Apprenticeships are a great alternative route to achieving higher level qualifications.

They are a nationally accredited work-based programme designed to meet employer needs to build a well qualified workforce. Many Higher Apprenticeships include degree, HNC or foundation degree programmes, others include higher level professional courses such as AAT and ILM. They will allow you to learn at degree level with subsidised tuition fees and the opportunity to earn as you learn.

Degree Apprenticeships

Degree Apprenticeships combine working with studying part time. Apprentices spend part of their time at Cambria University Centre and the rest with their employer. They can take three years to complete, depending on course level.

Degree Apprenticeships are still quite new, so there are a limited number of vacancies. It’s anticipated that the number of vacancies will grow over the next year or two.

Professional Development

Professional development courses can help you to progress in the workplace and accelerate up the career ladder. A broad range of professional development routes have been established to support many ranges of career development and progression.

Cambria offers professional development in many areas accredited by NEBOSH, IOSH, CIPD, AAT, PRINCE2® and ILM.

PCET - PGCE/ PCE Post Compulsory Education and Training

The Professional Graduate Certification in Education (PGCE) and the Professional Certificate in Education (PCE) are one or two year academic qualifications that are studied either after a degree (PGCE) or after a Level 3 qualification (PCE). The PGCE/PCEs offered by Cambria University Centre will give you the skills and knowledge to teach in the post-compulsory education and training sector e.g Further Education, work-based learning and adult education.

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Higher education students

As a Higher Education student, you can get access to a variety of financial support. The Student Loans Company offers loans and grants for anyone studying higher education courses at Coleg Cambria. Eligibility depends on the course type and where you live.

In summary:

Foundation degrees and degrees have fees which can be funded by Tuition Fee loans
Higher apprenticeships are usually funded by the Welsh Government
Professional courses may be funded by your employer, by you or by European projects.

What you need to know

HE bursaries

Cambria HE Bursary

For those undertaking a degree at Cambria University Centre you may be eligible for non-repayable financial support through our Cambria HE Bursary.

Who is eligible*?

Those on a full-time Higher Education course
Those paying their own fees of £7,500 or above
Students who have the required level of attendance
Students whose assignments are completed and submitted on time
Student conduct is in accordance with the Coleg Cambria Code of Conduct.

How is it paid?

Money (fixed reward) into your bank account
Cambria Campus Credit (fixed and award in kind via vouchers).

*Full T&C’s apply and payment will be withheld if the student fails to meet the required conditions

For further information

More information on this additional financial support can be found by clicking on the following:

Student Finance Explained

Discover Student Finance

How to Apply for Student Finance

Bangor University

Liverpool John Moores University

Swansea University

Pearsons

Wrexham University

University of Chester

Founded in 1839 as the first purpose-built teacher training college in the country, Chester has provided teaching excellence for 180 years and pre-dates all but a handful of other English Higher Education providers.

Gaining university status in 2005, the University of Chester today is a 21stcentury university and has gained overall student satisfaction above the sector average for the last six years (National Student Survey – NSS). The University is also the highest performing Higher Education institution in the North West for listening to the Student Voice (NSS), and achieved several Top 10 positions in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2020: 2nd for International; 8th for Local Life; 9th for Job Prospects; and 10th for Student Support.

Bangor University

Founded in 1884, Bangor University today is a thriving, forward-looking institution offering excellent opportunities.

We pride ourselves on the quality of our teaching, and offer courses across the arts, humanities and sciences. Our staff have been making an impact, with environmental, social, economic, and cultural well-being research for more than 130 years.

A high priority is placed on caring for and supporting our students. Our services include advice and guidance on careers and employability and matters from money and housing to disability support, counselling, and study skills. Bangor is an inspiring place to live and learn – the ideal place to grow, develop talents and plan for a future career.

Liverpool John Moores University

Our city and our university stand tall together. We have grown from the confident, ambitious origins of Liverpool and have a shared history built on working hard, caring about supporting people and communities and being proud of who we are.

We have a distinct place in this lively city with our warm, friendly and open people. We share a spirit of adventure with a community striving to make a difference and put something back. Our staff, students and alumni are the beating heart of this university, with an impact that goes beyond academic, economic and social measures.

Swansea University

Swansea University has been ranked 24th in the UK – its highest position ever – by the Guardian University Guide 2021, and ranked top in Wales. This latest ranking places Swansea University as a UK top 25 institution and as the top university in Wales for the second year running.

Swansea University achieved a gold rating, the highest rating possible, in the national Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) and is ranked UK Top 10 for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey for 2020.

Pearson

BTEC Higher Nationals are internationally-recognised higher education qualifications developed by Pearson at level 4 and 5 that are equivalent to the first and second years of a university degree, providing progression to both university and employment.

BTEC Higher Nationals are delivered at both universities and colleges in 60 countries around the world. They are an ideal choice for students seeking an affordable and relevant route to a degree or employment.

Wrexham University

Delivering education since 1887, Wrexham University is a vibrant, friendly and inclusive learning community; focused on inspiring each student and placing them firmly at the heart of everything we do.

First offering degrees in 1924 and becoming Glyndŵr University in 2008. In 2023, they rebranded and changed their name – but not the Welsh ethos – of the University to Prifysgol Wrecsam/Wrexham University, the University has been awarded a silver rating for teaching excellence by the Teaching Excellence Framework and is recognised and renowned for providing students with high-levels of satisfaction, support and career opportunities