Higher Education
(UCS Bury St Edmunds)

West Suffolk College is a member of University Campus Suffolk and we provide a wide range of full and part time degrees for around 800 students. University Campus Suffolk (UCS) was opened in 2007 and is one of the newest higher education institutions in the UK, consisting of a network of centres across the county in Bury St Edmunds, Great Yarmouth, Ipswich, Lowestoft and Otley.

All students studying at UCS Bury St Edmunds are UCS students and are working towards joint awards of the Universities of East Anglia and Essex. UCS Bury St Edmunds offers career-related foundation degrees which combine work with study, honours degree programmes and postgraduate level qualifications. At UCS Bury St Edmunds, students also get to experience being a student in the beautiful town of Bury St Edmunds which is fast-becoming one of the liveliest towns in East Anglia for shopping, entertainment, nightlife and other recreational pursuits.

Widening Participation in Higher Education

Increasing access to higher education is of great importance to UCS Bury St Edmunds.  Our foundation degrees cover subject areas not usually found in mainstream universities, offering exciting opportunities for students who previously would not have considered studying for a degree.

We also offer successful Access to Higher Education courses that have opened up the possibility of degree level qualifications to many students who did not believe they could ever achieve at university level. 

Outstanding teaching and learning

We have a strong commitment to student achievement and this is shared by all staff, whether academic or support staff.  There is a comprehensive tutorial support process in place, alongside highly qualified teachers and rigorous quality improvement systems which apply to all areas of learning.  These are based on honest and self-critical assessment of performance and detailed planning to achieve further improvement. 

New Developments

West Suffolk College is developing its existing facilities and buildings through a number of improvement schemes which will make the most of the College's estate. The newest building on campus is the impressive £1.5 million Arts and Sciences building, Leonardo House.  The College has also spent a substantial amount on extensive refurbishments across a number of other areas.