Looking to improve your career prospects with a university level qualification?
Wirral Met offer a wide range of Degrees, Foundation Degrees, Higher National Certificates and Diplomas (HNCs/HNDs) as well as teaching qualifications.
Our friendly, experienced tutors will help you to gain new skills, a university level qualification and confidence, ensuring you progress further on the perfect route to your dream career. Small class sizes enable you to access outstanding support, whilst you save money on travel and accommodation by staying local and fitting your education around your commitments.
Benefit from links with our partner universities: University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), University of Chester and University of Liverpool.
At Wirral Met College we are pleased to accept non-traditional students onto our university level courses. This means that while you may not meet the required number of UCAS points, if you have relevant experience in the respective area or show the ability to study at degree level, you may be accepted onto the course following an interview. You are also able to undertake Maths and English GCSEs alongside your degree course if you do not have those. Please speak to one of our Student Advisers to find out more.
University Level Courses
From Higher National Certifications and Diplomas (HNCs/HNDs) to foundation degrees, BA (Hons) and BSc (Hons), there is something for everyone at Wirral Met College.
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COURSES
Art, Design, Creative Media & Music
Courses available at 12 Quays Campus
Art, Design, Creative Media & Music
Sally Weaver
Sally is currently in her third year of studying at Wirral Met as a mature student and says the degree is “a lifelong ambition and a life-changing experience.” “The course has been excellent. Staff and facilities are second to none and the course is managed very well.”
Wirral Met’s Art School has a reputation for quality and creativity. Our teaching team is dedicated to helping you explore and harness your creative talent, to prepare you for a career in this sector.
You will get support and guidance to help you develop your own unique style, and find the career that suits your needs.
Courses available at 12 Quays Campus:
Course Level Code BA Photography (Top-Up One year) - P103 Higher Education P103 Art & Design
Course Level Code BA (Hons) Illustration with Animation - A026 Higher Education A026 Creative Media
Course Level Code HND Creative Media Production - P081 Higher Education P081 Photography
Course Level Code BTEC Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Photography - P098 Higher Education P098 BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) Photography - P057 Higher Education P057 
Career Opportunities
These courses equip students with the skills and knowledge to progress onto occupations including:
- Artist - View occupation details here
- Graphic Designers - View occupation details here
- Photographers - View occupation details here
- Fashion Designer - View occupation details here
Graphic Designers’ salaries start at around £14,000 to £17,000 per year and experienced senior Graphic Designers can earn between £32,000 and £50,000 per year. Starting salaries for Junior Interior Designers are around £18,000 and experienced Interior Designers can earn around £24,000 to £40,000 per year.
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COURSES
Accounting & Professional Studies
Courses available at Hamilton Campus
Accounting & Professional Studies
If you are 19+ and looking for a full-time course in accountancy, the Associate of Accounting Technicians (AAT) qualifications are internationally recognised. They are based on practical, real-world accounting knowledge and you will learn essential business and finance skills that you can put into use from day one.
Courses available at Hamilton Campus:
Accounting Qualifications and Apprenticeship Vacancies
Course Level Code AAT Professional Diploma in Accounting - D050 Level 4 D050 Business
Course Level Code CIPD Associate Diploma in People Management - D105 Level 5 D105
Career Opportunities
These courses equip students with the skills and knowledge to progress onto occupations including:
- Financial and accounting technicians -View occupation details here
- Accountant- View occupation details here
- Financial accounts managers - View occupation details here
Salaries start at around £15,000 - £22,000 per year and experienced accountants can earn around £30,000 per year.
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COURSES
Childcare & Early Years Education
Courses available at 12 Quays Campus
Childcare & Early Years Education
There are a number of very rewarding career options dedicated to the care and development of children.
You will study at our Twelve Quays campus with our team of experienced practitioners. They will develop your knowledge and skills to support you throughout your degree programme, which will prepare you for an exciting career in this sector.
Courses available at 12 Quays Campus:
Early Education Degree
Course Level Code BA (Hons) Early Years - N104 Higher Education N104
Career Opportunities
These courses equip students with the skills and knowledge to progress onto occupations including:
- Childminder - View occupation details here
- Classroom assistant - View occupation details here
- Nanny/nursery nurse - View occupation details here
- Teacher - View occupation details here
Nursery nurses can earn £13,000 when they start their career, and then they can progress to up to £18,000 as they become more experienced and take on additional responsibilities. Nursery Managers can earn around £22,000 - £30,000 per year.
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COURSES
Computing & IT
Courses available at 12 Quays Campus
Computing & IT
Carly Chadwick
After completing the Foundation Degree in Computer Science and progressing on to a BSc Computer Science degree at the University of Chester, Carly now works as a Technology & Digital Solutions Graduate at Airbus. She says “Wirral Met gave me the technical foundations which I could build upon in my final year and in my career”
As technology constantly changes, this is a very fast moving and exciting area to be involved in. From data communications and networking technologies to programming or website design, you'll learn about the latest developments in this innovative industry.
You will study in Wirral Met's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) Centre at our Twelve Quays Campus and have access to the latest technology including drones, software, IT facilities and virtual reality tools. Our dedicated tutors will help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this industry.
Courses available at 12 Quays Campus:
Computer Science Foundation Degree
Course Level Code Foundation Degree Computer Science - C048 Higher Education C048
Career Opportunities
These courses equip students with the skills and knowledge to progress onto occupations including:
- Games designer - View occupation details here
- IT support technician - View occupation details here
- Software designer - View occupation details here
- Systems analyst - View occupation details here
- Web designer - View occupation details here
IT Support Technicians can earn from between £18,000 to £30,000 per year, depending on their experience and Web Designers can earn around £15,000 to £30,000 per year.
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COURSES
Construction & the Built Environment
Courses available at Wirral Waters Campus
Construction & the Built Environment
Stuart Umbers
Stuart started at Wirral Met in 2014 as an intermediate level engineering apprentice and progressed on to the advanced level apprenticeship, where he worked at Prowell Ltd in Ellesmere Port, the world's largest manufacturer of corrugated cardboard. Stuart has become an integral part of their engineering team.
Wirral Met College can help you achieve your ambition to become a bricklayer, carpenter, electrician, painter & decorator, plasterer or plumber. Or, if you would like to become an architect, project manager or site supervisor, take a look at our study programmes which will help prepare you for university.
We offer excellent facilities with a dedicated campus to Construction and the Built Environment, incorporating industry standard workshops. You will develop your skills with the support of tutors who are experts in their field. Wirral Met College’s excellent links with employers will help you gain the practical work experience to prepare you for getting jobs and apprenticeships.
Courses available at Wirral Waters Campus:
Professional and Digital Construction
Course Level Code BTEC Higher National Certificate (HNC) Construction (Part-time) - R034 Higher Education R034
Career Opportunities
These courses equip students with the skills and knowledge to progress onto occupations including:
- Bricklayer - View occupation details here
- Property developer - View occupation details here
- Carpenter/joiner - View occupation details here
- Electrician - View occupation details here
- Construction or building trade - View occupation details here
- Painter/decorator - View occupation details here
- Plasterer - View occupation details here
- Heating and ventilation technician - View occupation details here
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COURSES
Counselling
Courses available at 12 Quays Campus
Counselling
Sean Lavery
Sean has completed a raft of counselling courses at Wirral Met, from CPCAB level 2 Introduction to Counselling Skills to a level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. Sean now works for Wirral Met as a counselling lecturer and is also an addiction counsellor for SHARP Liverpool.
Working closely with NHS Trusts, local authorities and private businesses across the adult social care and healthcare industries, we have built our reputation for high quality education and training that makes a difference.
Courses available at 12 Quays Campus:
Counselling
Course Level Code Therapeutic Counselling Diploma - J011 Level 4 J011
Career Opportunities
These courses equip students with the skills and knowledge to progress onto occupations including:
- Barristers and judges - View occupation details here
- Legal professionals - View occupation details here
- Probation officers - View occupation details here
- Counsellors - View occupation details here
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COURSES
Engineering & Automotive
Courses available at 12 Quays Campus
Engineering & Automotive
Lee Hardman
Lee studied BTEC National Certificate in Operations and Maintenance Level 3 and BTEC HNC in Operations Engineering Level 4 at Wirral Met College. He is now Operations Director at United Air Power.
Excellent links with large and small employers have enabled us to develop a flexible range of qualifications to equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in this industry.
You will study in the Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths (STEM) Centre at our Twelve Quays Campus, which is complete with the latest technology and industry specialist engineering equipment.
Courses available at 12 Quays Campus:
Manufacturing Engineering
Course Level Code BTEC Higher National Certificate (HNC) in General Engineering - E154 Higher Education E154
Career Opportunities
These courses equip students with the skills and knowledge to progress onto occupations including:
- Engineer - View occupation details here
- Electrical engineer - View occupation details here
- Maintenance engineer - View occupation details here
- Mechanic - View occupation details here
- Mechanical engineer - View occupation details here
There are a wide range of jobs in the engineering sector; starting salaries for Engineering Operatives are around £12,000 per year and graduate starting salaries for Energy Engineers are from £22,000 – £30,000 per year.
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COURSES
Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy & Wellbeing
Courses available at Conway Park Campus
Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy & Wellbeing
Ashleigh Molloy
Ashleigh Molloy successfully completed the VTCT Sports Massage Certificate at Wirral Met and graduated in 2018.
This sector provides a wide range of exciting career opportunities. Our professional tutors will support you to develop your skills and experience whilst you work in our commercial hair and beauty salons at the Conway Park Campus.
Courses available at Conway Park Campus:
Massage
Course Level Code VTCT Sports Massage Certificate - G061 Level 4 G061
Career Opportunities
These courses equip students with the skills and knowledge to progress onto occupations including:
- Beauty therapists - View occupation details here
- Massage therapist - View occupation details here
- Salon manager - View occupation details here
- Hairdresser or Barber - View occupation details here
- Salon manager - View occupation details here
Beauty Therapists earn between £12,000 and £17,000 per year (plus tips and any commission they gain for selling products in salons), and Salon Managers can earn over £20,000 per year.
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COURSES
Social Studies
Courses available at Hamilton Campus
Social Studies
Cristina Radu
Cristina graduated from the University of Liverpool with a BSc (Hons) Psychology Degree after studying for the first 2 years at Wirral Met College. Cristina said: “Going back to education after almost 20 years was quite a daunting task, but my Wirral Met tutors gave me wonderful support as well as challenged me, making me aim higher.”
If you are interested in a range of areas such as history, sociology, critical theory, media and literary studies, then a programme in Humanities & Social Studies is for you.
Students on these courses gain a range of transferable skills including communication, organisational and research skills. You may progress in areas such as administration, publishing, research or tourism.
Courses available at Hamilton Campus:
Sociology and Criminology
Course Level Code BA (Hons) Sociology with Criminology - Z060 Higher Education Z060
Career Opportunities
These courses equip students with the skills and knowledge to progress onto occupations including:
- Social and Humanities Scientists - View occupation details here
- Psychologists - View occupation details here
- Careers advisers and vocational guidance specialists - View occupation details here
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COURSES
Science
Courses available at various campuses
Science
Devin Jones
Devin has completed both the BTEC level 3 applied science and level 3 Extended Diplomas. After a successful work experience placement at Feedwater Ltd, Devin secured a full-time apprenticeship with the company and is now studying towards his BTEC HNC in Applied Biology.
You will study in Wirral Met’s new Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Centre at the Twelve Quays Campus. Wirral Met is working collaboratively with the Royal Society of Chemistry to promote chemical sciences, and with NHS Trusts, local authorities and private businesses, to develop high quality education and training in psychology.
Specialist facilities in our STEM Centre include science laboratories that accommodate specialist equipment and facilities you would expect to see in a university, including a chemical instrumentation lab with nuclear magnetic resonance equipment.
Courses available at Hamilton Campus & 12 Quays Campus:
Chemistry
Course Level Code BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) Applied Chemistry (HNC 1 Year Conversion) (Part-time) - S010 Higher Education S010 BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) Applied Chemistry (HNC 2 Year Conversion) (Part-time) - S156 Higher Education S156 Higher National Certificate in Applied Sciences (Chemistry) - S005 Higher Education S005 Psychology
Course Level Code BSc (Hons) Psychology (2 + 2) - J007 Higher Education J007
Career Opportunities
These courses equip students with the skills and knowledge to progress onto occupations including:
- Biologist - view occupation details here
- Chemical chemist - view occupation details here
- Forensic scientist - view occupation details here
- Pharmacist - view occupation details here
Starting salaries for Forensic Scientists are £20,000 per year and experienced scientists may earn between £25,000 and £35,000 per year.
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COURSES
Teaching & Assessing
Courses available at various campuses
Teaching & Assessing
Louise Fury
Louise applied to study a PGCE in Education as a mature student, as she wanted a change in career. Louise graduated in 2018 and now works full-time as a lecturer in English Language at a local college. She teaches students aged 16 plus, including an evening class.
Professional careers in teaching are highly rewarding, and inspirational teaching can make a real difference to the lives of students.
You will be based at our Twelve Quays Campus where our experienced tutors will help you develop a wide range of interactive, student focused teaching methods and resources, so that you can be an outstanding teacher, tutor or trainer. These qualifications prepare you for teaching in the post-16 education and training sector.
Courses available at Hamilton Campus & Conway Park Campus:
CELTA
Course Level Code CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) - X066 Level 5 X066 Certificate in Education
Course Level Code Certificate in Education (Education and Training) (Part-time) - B109 Higher Education B109 Certificate in Education (Education and Training) - B107 Higher Education B107 Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
Course Level Code Post Graduate Certificate in Education (Education and Training) (Part-time) - B110 Higher Education B110 Post Graduate Certificate in Education (Education and Training) - B108 Higher Education B108
Career Opportunities
These courses equip students with the skills and knowledge to progress onto occupations including:
- Teaching assistants - View occupation details here
- Higher education teaching professionals - View occupation details here
- Further education teaching professionals - View occupation details here
- Secondary education teaching professionals - View occupation details here
- Educational support assistants - View occupation details here
Not quite ready for a university level qualification?
Helpful Information
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National Student Survey
Our 2018/19 graduates gave Wirral Met an overall satisfaction rating 86.05% in the last National Student Survey – on average, that’s 2.48% higher than region and sector ratings. These students said that Wirral Met has:
“Wonderful inclusive teaching with fantastic support and encouragement."
"Access to industry standard software and equipment."
“Helpful members of staff” that “always lend a helping hand when needed."
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Money Matters
You can save money on travel, accommodation and tuition fees by choosing to study a university level qualification locally at Wirral Met College. Learn more about the financial support options available to you and the funding available to you.
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Life in Liverpool/Wirral
You will be studying at our campuses in Birkenhead, just approximately 4 miles away from Liverpool’s lively city centre.
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Trips, Visits & Career Focuses
As with all of our study programmes, many of the College’s university level courses include educational trips as well as visits from local employers to ensure you are provided with a wide variety of skills and experiences to take into the working world upon graduation.
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Policies & Procedures
As your higher education provider, we are committed to ensuring that our courses meet the needs of you, our students, whilst also supporting the growth of our local community. We have designed plans, policies and objectives to ensure we achieve the delivery of these commitments.
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Quality Assured
At Wirral Met we are proud to hold an accreditation with The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).
The QAA is a national organisation that reviews the quality of higher education delivered by colleges. Their assessments are based on:
- The core themes of academic standards
- Quality of learning
- Public information
- Enhancement
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Office for Students
Office for Students are the independent regulator of higher education in England. They aim to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers. Their work covers all students whether undergraduate or postgraduate, national or international, young or mature, full-time or part-time, studying on a campus or by distance learning.
