We offer the only diploma and degree programmes in informal education in the UK. This means that students come from a wide range of backgrounds including community education, adult education, community work, residential social work, housing initiatives, health education, advice work, family centres, intermediate treatment, further education colleges, outdoor pursuits and youth work.

We are also the only English College that offers a UK-wide qualification for youth workers, community workers and community educators. We are working with colleagues in informal education in the Falkland Islands, Ireland, Germany, Ghana, Hong Kong, Kenya, Uganda and Zambia.

The College is a specialist centre for studying informal education and community education. In addition to our degree and Dip HE programmes we run post-graduate certificate, diploma and MA courses in management studies, a range of short courses and special study programmes, and undertake research and consultancy.

A major programme of professional education and research is currently being undertaken in association with the Rank Foundation's Youth or Adult? Initiative.