Blake College was established in May 1986 and specialises in art, design and media courses. The multicultural profile of the student body provides a warm welcome to students of all nationalities and backgrounds. This thriving and eclectic mix is given form and identity as a result of the small group teaching and personal attention given by the college. The students’ motivation is often to enter higher education and they are given expert advice and assistance to this end. Others, seeking training for employment in the creative industries are given guidance in the best direction to follow. The college aims to meet the needs of all our students through this high level of professional instruction and personal care and to ensure they all achieve their ambition through Blake College.

What's on offer
There is a selection of part-time and full-time courses in a variety of art, design and media fields. Full-time courses are a minimum of 15 hours a week, usually last one academic year and lead to formal qualifications such as BTEC Diplomas. These diploma courses are structured around five projects of six/seven weeks duration followed by an end of year show.

Class numbers vary from 4 to 16 and this allows the teacher to spend time with each student individually. Project assessments, along with the developing portfolio, form the basis for individual tutorials which take place once a term for full-time students. Visits to galleries, museums and exhibitions are regularly organised as a key element in all our courses. The college also offers full support and advice to students with their UCAS applications and university placements.

Most of our tutors are practicing professionals and therefore can provide their classes with current working practices and retain a freshness and vigour in their teaching. The college tutors are all chosen primarily for their clear communicative ability and evidence of a sympathetic, interested and inspiring attitude which is vital in developing the student’s work and career ambitions.

Blake is a BTEC qualification centre accredited by Edexcel and is subject to inspection by Ofsted. It is also a Highly Trusted Sponsor (UK Border Agency). Although primarily an independent fee-paying college, Blake now also receives some government funding and this enables us to offer scholarships to a small number of students on limited budgets.