The Academies at Cirencester College bring the worlds of business and education together through a powerful academic and vocational mix. Employers influence and determine what the college offers and students are inspired by the opportunities available to them.

The Academies are employer driven. Their direction is set by Advisory Boards made up of influential and innovative representatives from business, who themselves have had a vision to create an industry which people want to be part of.

The first Academy to be launched was the Academy of Finance at the beginning of 2004, chosen for its local and national importance to the economy. Its success led to the launch of the IT, Marketing, Science, Hospitality, Law, Heritage and Media Academies. Board members include organisations such as Intel, St. James’s Place, Patheon Pharmaceuticals and the Nationwide Building Society.

The Academies all run different initiatives and programmes. The Science Academy for example, has partnered with local schools and businesses to enthuse young people into considering Science as a career, while the Heritage Academy has developed into a national force to raise the profile of Heritage throughout the country. Other Academies are working with the College’s 16-19 students to equip them with work-based skills for their next step in life.