Merton College is one of the best-regarded colleges in the south west London area. Wherever students are in their lives, one of the College’s full-time or part-time courses can make the difference. It doesn't matter if students have been out of education for a while, or whatever qualifications they already have, Merton College can help individuals find a course that's right for them.

Impressive exam results and a successful ALI/OFSTED inspection confirm that Merton College has a growing reputation for quality and innovation.

Its new teaching and library block - the latest stage in a £20m redevelopment programme - was opened in June 2006 giving the college some of the best facilities in London.

What's on offer
Courses offered at Merton College range from Entry to Employment (E2E) through to programmes that equip students for entry to University or give advanced vocational skills for progression to employment. For part-time students already in work, professional development courses offering skills such as using computers, shorthand writing or accounting can provide enhanced career opportunities. Alongside a wide range of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) the College offers an increasing selection of industry-specific qualifications. In total it has over 100 part-time courses, many with regular starts over the year.

The full range of courses covers the following subject areas: Access to higher education; accounting; business and management; travel and tourism; sport and leisure; public services; skills for life; childcare; catering and hospitality; health and social care; computing and information technology; engineering and electronics; musical instrument making; motorcycle mechanics; nursing; creative arts and A Levels.
Merton College also runs Prince’s Trust and E2E programmes for young people who would like an alternative to mainstream courses. There are many possible start dates during the year.

Throughout each area of its provision, Merton College has close working relationships with the relevant industries. Merton College is a Centre of Vocational Excellence in Health and Social Care and Automotive Engineering and has numerous partners in industry. Working closely with the NHS, they are helping to fill skills shortages in a number of areas, for example introducing new qualifications for medical administrators and dental nurses. In vocational areas such as catering, customer service, care and cleaning it provides bespoke training to around 40 companies ranging from large employers to SMEs. A substantial number of its students are taught in their place of work. Whatever the course at Merton College, the programme of study will be linked to current professional practice.

Many of the Merton College's students are school leavers but they also have a substantial number of mature learners. There is a balance of male and female students and a wide representation of ethnic backgrounds, with both students and staff contributing to a rich culture and positive atmosphere at Merton College.