Making the important decision to join a degree-level course can be life-changing, marking the start of a new chapter and possibly a new career direction.
Key facts
- Level 4 to level 7 qualifications
- Full-time and part-time options
- HNCs, HNDs, foundation degrees, higher-level apprenticeships and BA (Hons)
- Partnerships with the University of Central Lancashire, the University of Cumbria and other professional institutions
Why us?
- Over 30 years of experience in delivering quality degree courses.
- Choice of both part-time and full-time study courses.
- Highly skilled teaching staff with first-hand professional experience in their field.
- Links with industry - we work closely with over 4,500 employers such as Siemens, BAE, GlaxoSmithKline, NHS and Croppers.
- University partnerships with the University of Cumbria and the University of Central Lancashire.
- Employability - 96% of our graduates secured employment or completed further study or training.
- Fantastic facilities through £27million College investment.
- Small and friendly college with small class sizes to benefit your learning.
- Quality assured by the National Quality Assurance Agency for degree courses.
- Excellent value for money - an affordable alternative to university fees with much lower fees than other institutions starting from £4000 per year studying part-time.
If you are an employer, we can design training packages to fulfil your organisation’s requirements and deliver workplace courses. Group discounts may also be available.
For more information, click here.
University partners
Our degree programmes are validated by experienced institutions like the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and the University of Cumbria (UoC).
The University of Central Lancashire
The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) provides first-class facilities and high-quality teaching against a ‘real world’ research background to encourage innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial thinking. UCLan has been at the forefront of developing new degrees in the emerging disciplines of journalism, fashion, forensics and sports science and is the largest higher education provider of forensic science, policing and related subjects in the world.
The University of Central Lancashire has extensive links with Further Education Colleges and specialist institutions to offer over 200 higher education courses to approximately 6,000 UCLan University students based at Partner Institutions each year, including Kendal College.
UCLan offers 'Partner' students all the benefits of a large university with all the advantages of our Partners’ smaller community atmosphere. As a Partner student, you will enjoy the support and resources offered at Kendal College - as well as UCLan’s wide range of facilities. University students at Kendal College also have the same status as on-campus students. They can enjoy the benefits of UCLan's facilities and services, which include online resources, sports centres, student services, library and the Students’ Union.
Please see their website for further information on UCLan and the benefits available as a partner student.
The University of Cumbria
The University of Cumbria was launched ten years ago, founded on the experience and tradition of well over 150 years of higher education. They are a growing, multi-campus university, home to around 10,000 students, aiming to provide the skills to set you apart in the jobs market. With 97% graduate employability*, they are dedicated to offering the highest standard of higher education for students, helping you strive to be dynamic, creative and entrepreneurial in achieving your career goals. The University of Cumbria specialises in arts, business, education, health and science courses, with award-winning student support and excellent links with local and national employers.
For more information about the University of Cumbria, click here.
*DLHE 2015
Degree-level qualifications
HNC, Level 4
Higher National Certificates (HNCs) equip you with the basic knowledge, understanding and skills required for a general vocational area. HNCs are usually studied for two years part-time or one year full-time, and many candidates then go on to other qualifications or areas of study.
HND, Level 5
Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) are equivalent to two years of undergraduate study and can often be used to progress to an Honours Degree programme. HNDs are substantially coursework-based and do not generally involve any examinations. HNDs are also designed to equip students with the knowledge, understanding and skills required for a general vocational sector. These courses are usually two years full-time or three years part-time.
Foundation Degree, Level 4 & 5
A Foundation Degree is a degree-level qualification that combines academic study with work-based learning. Foundation Degrees are designed in association with employers. They are qualifications that equip you with the relevant skills, knowledge and understanding to achieve academic results and improve workplace performance and productivity. Assessment is likely to include examinations. If you already have a Foundation Degree, you may ‘top-up’ your Foundation Degree to Honours level.
Honours Degree, Level 6
Honours Degrees aim to provide graduates with the ability to investigate, think independently, research and innovate. Graduates will develop comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject, elements of which will be at the forefront of current academic thinking and research. We offer Honours Degrees in a number of vocational subjects to enable students to understand both the detailed academic theory and, to a lesser extent than in the Foundation Degree, the practical knowledge of their chosen discipline.
Professional Accredited Qualifications
Professional Qualifications are required to practice at a high level in certain jobs or professions. They are as suited to younger staff members as senior management. Courses are approved by well-respected organisations such as the Association of Accountants or the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
Useful careers websites
Your Bright Future
yourbrightfuture.kendal.ac.uk
A website dedicated to your next step! Also includes a local jobs board.
Start Profile
startprofile.com
A free national website that covers all the stages of career planning - explore your skills & interests, see suggested careers and find relevant courses, apprenticeships and jobs close to where you live.
Prospects
prospects.ac.uk/planner
Answer questions about what you find interesting and they'll match you with job groups containing more than 400 job profiles.
National Careers Website
nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk
This site includes a range of job profiles, employability tools and careers advice.
Apprenticeships
apprenticeships.gov.uk
Earn while you learn with an apprenticeship.
Volunteering
do-it.org
A national search engine. Volunteering is a great way to discover what you like and don’t like doing. It also gives you valuable work experience which looks fantastic on your CV. If you can’t find what you are looking for, contact employers directly.
View our courses
As part of an academic collaborative partnership with The University of Cumbria, this new Foundation Degree provides an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of Marine Biology and Rehabilitation. The course is based at Kendal College, which has onsite facilities for wildlife rescue, triage, veterinary treatment and rehabilitation, as well as aquatics resources, as part of Kendal College Animal Rescue Centre.
The HNC/D offers a cost-effective opportunity for the learner to study locally for two years before moving on to university to complete a top up year and fully achieve a Degree in Business. We are proud to build confidence, develop academic study skills in small groups and deliver exceptional results.
The Foundation Degree in Children, Young People and their Services offers an exciting pathway for developing a career with children and young people, including primary teaching and social work. The programme focuses on working with children from 0-18 years, in both education and social care settings.
The BA (Hons) Children, Schools and Families allows you to 'top-up' your Foundation Degree (Level 5) to a full BA Hons Degree (Level 6). The course looks at children in a broad context and prepares you for a professional career within the children and young people's workforce.
This Course is the perfect choice to build the knowledge and skills required to pursue a career within the outdoor industry. Located on the fringe of the Lake District National Park, there is a strong emphasis on developing practical skills with the added opportunity to complete up to 3 NGB training or assessment courses.
Professional engineers are at the forefront of developing new ideas in an ever changing world and are highly valued within industry. They form the backbone of research and development in their respective fields, as well as being inspiring leaders of teams and projects.
Professional engineers are at the forefront of developing new ideas in an ever changing world and are highly valued within industry. They form the backbone of research and development in their respective fields, as well as being inspiring leaders of teams and projects.
As part of an academic collaborative partnership with The University of Cumbria, this Foundation Degree provides an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, conservation strategies and management. The course is based at Kendal College, which has onsite facilities for wildlife rescue, triage, veterinary treatment and rehabilitation, as part of Kendal College Animal Rescue Centre.
