West of England Institute of Technology

Gloucestershire College is a proud partner in the West of England Institute of Technology – a government-funded programme with key academic and employer partners across the region.

At the heart of this collaboration is the philosophy of increasing the opportunity for higher and university-level education in the highly sought industry growth areas of engineering, cyber and computing.

What is an Institute of Technology?

The Government’s aim for IoTs is to offer an alternative to universities by specialising in delivering higher-level technical training in STEM subjects. This will boost young people's skills and provide a route for students taking T levels or A Levels to move onto higher-level technical education. IoTs will also cater for those people already in work, with higher-level technical training at Level 4 and above in STEM subjects.

Gloucestershire College is proud to work with Weston College, University of the West of England, Yeovil College and Bath College as academic partners in The West of England Institute of Technology.

A few words from Gloucestershire College Principal & CEO, Matthew Burgess

“As our world becomes increasingly digitised it is crucial that we keep pace with technology and innovation, and ensure we have the optimum educational and workplace training opportunities for the next generation of industry leaders.

In Gloucestershire, we are seeing a boom in the rapid expansion of technical, cyber and engineering companies, and it is of paramount importance that we provide our learners with access to the best facilities, tutors and employers to develop these high-value skills.

It is also essential to the economic growth of our region that we work with key employers to ensure that the courses we develop align to the latest technical industry advancements and that they, in turn, have access to the strongest talent pool of future employees.

We have so much potential in our region, and the Institute of Technology opens up endless developmental opportunities to learn, train and work with the best. Thanks to the IoT funding, excellent employer network and cross partnership course access, we are helping to future proof both the next technical generation of key workers and our region’s economic expansion.”

Outstanding new facilities

The West of England Institute of Technology has secured over £3 million to invest in new world-class dedicated cyber, computing and engineering teaching zones at our Cheltenham and Gloucester campuses, including:

Computing labs
Attack and defence rooms
Forensic tool kits
Engineering labs
Specialist engineering hardware
Eco study pods
Employer networking zone

Working with businesses

Key to this partnership is working with leading employers to ensure that the courses we develop align to the latest technical industry advancements, and that they, in turn, have access to the strongest talent pool of future employees. We are delighted to have on board Gloucestershire strongholds including GE Aviation, Renishaw and Bamboo Technology Group as key employer partners. As part of the WEIoT, we offer employer introductions and invaluable work experience and study links for our students, as well as a dedicated apprenticeship hub team to advise and match up apprentices with suitable employers.

GE Aviation

“We have been running successful Engineering Apprenticeship programmes with Gloucestershire College for over 10 years, helping to provide the Aviation Industry with a pipeline of the brightest talent. The new engineering labs and resources at Gloucestershire College will provide all apprentices with the optimum educational workspace, complemented by outstanding training and mentoring provided by their tutors. With so many industry-leading local employers and the advanced educational facilities to match, top-talent have all the support and opportunities they need to succeed right here in Gloucestershire.”

Renishaw

“Regardless of the current economic climate, it is of paramount importance that we provide the next generation with access to the very best technical facilities and education to keep abreast of our rapidly evolving and progressive industry. Gloucestershire College’s brand new engineering facilities funded by the West of England Institute of Technology and connections with leading employers will provide the best opportunities for students and apprentices to flourish. We are very much looking forward to seeing the new engineering labs in action and are proud to work with Gloucestershire College and its WEIoT academic partners to develop the future of the engineering industry.”

Bamboo Technology Group

“With our offices based within their Cheltenham campus, Gloucestershire College has given us a great opportunity to work with them in a technology hot spot, located right next to GCHQ and the new cyber park. The new facilities at Gloucestershire College, funded through the IoT, will nurture and educate a critical talent pool and develop the future leaders of our industry. Students will thrive in their cutting edge learning environment with access to many leading cyber organisations right on the doorstep.”

Explore our IoT courses and apprenticeships below

Click on your course of choice below to find out more and apply online.

Engineering Courses and Apprenticeships

Level 4

Electrical and Electronic Engineering HNC

Mechanical Engineering HNC

Level 5

Electronic and Computer Engineering Foundation Degree

Mechanical Engineering Foundation Degree

Mechatronics Foundation Degree

Level 6

Embedded Electronic Systems Design and Development Engineer Degree Apprenticeship

Product Design and Development Engineer Degree Apprenticeship

Electronic and Computer Engineering Degree BEng (Hons)

Manufacturing Engineer Degree Apprenticeship (New for 2021 - more information coming soon)

IT, Computing & Cyber courses and apprenticeships

Level 4

Computing HNC

Network Engineer Apprenticeship

Software Developer Apprenticeship

Software Tester Apprenticeship

Games Development HNC (New for 2021 - more information coming soon)

Level 5

Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity HND

Games Development HND (New for 2021 - more information coming soon)

Level 6

Cyber Security Degree Apprenticeship

Information Technology BSC (Hons) Top up degree (New for 2021)

Digital Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship (New for 2021 - more information coming soon)

Why study an IoT course at Gloucestershire College?

Brand new state-of-the-art facilities
Access to sector-leading employers for industry work placements
Cheltenham campus sits next to GCHQ and the UK’s new Cyber Park – Cyber Central UK

View all courses and apprenticeships

Engineering at GC

IT & Computing at GC

24 Feb 2021

Works underway to transform Gloucestershire College’s Cheltenham Campus for Cyber, IT and Engineering

The widely anticipated project to create Gloucestershire College’s new £3m Institute of Technology facilities at its Cheltenham campus has commenced.

The redevelopment will see the creation of a brand new cyber and IT area, with specialist computing labs, state of the art attack and defence rooms, forensic tool kits, eco study pods, a dedicated entrance and an open study and networking area. The engineering teaching and learning area is also being extensively refurbished with dedicated spaces for those studying higher level engineering in Cheltenham.

24 Feb 2021

Bridging the technical skills gap: discover IT and cyber apprenticeships at our employer event

Find out how we are enabling employers to access new talent and the essential IT and cyber skills businesses need. Discover our brand new Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship starting this September and our full suite of specialist accredited programmes. Find out more and book your place at our event here.

13 Feb 2021

#NAW2021 Apprenticeship Case Study: Taylor Watson, Cyber Degree Apprentice at Cyber Security Associates

Gloucestershire College is a proud champion of apprenticeships. To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2021, we are showcasing success stories from our amazing apprentices and employers. We caught up with Taylor Watson, a Cyber Degree Apprentice at Cyber Security Associates, who also stars in our Gloucester Campus showcase video – check it out here if you haven’t already!

13 Feb 2021

#NAW2021 The West of England Institute of Technology: Join the creators and makers of the future

If you're looking for an apprenticeship and a career in the ever-growing engineering, cyber and computing industry, Gloucestershire College, part of the West of England Institute of Technology, is the place to develop after your college course or A Levels. Find out more about the WEIoT here.

Visit the WEIoT website

What is an Institute of Technology?

Gloucestershire College is proud to work with Weston College, University of the West of England, Yeovil College and Bath College as academic partners in The West of England Institute of Technology.

A few words from Gloucestershire College Principal & CEO, Matthew Burgess

Outstanding new facilities

Computing labs

Attack and defence rooms

Forensic tool kits

Engineering labs

Specialist engineering hardware

Eco study pods

Employer networking zone