Welcome to Crawley College, located in the heart of Crawley, just minutes from the town centre and Gatwick Airport, our campus is home to the Sussex & Surrey Institute of Technology (SSIoT) – a cuttingedge facility delivering degree-level study in engineering, construction, digital technologies. Our expert teaching from industry professionals bring real-world insights into every session, with qualifications awarded by respected university partners, ensuring you’ll graduate with a degree that is valued by employers.
Our commitment to excellence is recognised nationally, with a TEF Silver Award for exceptional teaching and student outcomes. What really sets Crawley College apart is its strong industry focus, learning in advanced technical facilities, developing expertise, and preparing for the opportunities shaping the future workforce.
Whether you’re continuing your studies, pursuing a passion, or advancing your career we can help you shape your future on your own terms.
Discover a bold approach to Higher Education – explore our guide and see the difference for yourself!
Helena Thomas, Strategic Lead for Higher Education
Kirste McCool, Director of Higher Education
Our local area
Crawley College, university-level
Located at the heart of the South East and within the Gatwick Diamond, Crawley offers students an exceptional balance of opportunity, connectivity and lifestyle.
With direct rail links to London in under 45 minutes and Brighton in around 30, the town is ideally placed for higher education, work and leisure.
Crawley is a thriving business hub, home to Manor Royal, one of the UK’s largest employment areas hosting hundreds of engineering, manufacturing and construction-related employers. Its proximity to London Gatwick Airport further strengthens links to aviation, technology, health and global industries, creating strong opportunities for placements, part-time work and future careers.
Surrounding green spaces, including Tilgate Park and nearby countryside, offer space to relax, exercise and recharge. Excellent transport connections also open access to the South Downs, coastline and wider cultural and professional opportunities across the South East. Studying at Crawley College means being part of a connected, forwardthinking town that supports both academic focus and long-term career progression.
Your campus
Crawley College offers a modern, well-resourced learning environment designed to support both focused study and hands-on professional training.
Students have access to quiet, independent study spaces, including two dedicated computer rooms, as well as Crawley Library located directly opposite the campus, providing an excellent range of academic texts and learning resources.
Between lectures, students can relax or work collaboratively in the Student Common Room social study space, which includes a coffee shop serving barista-made drinks. Additional catering options include the 58 Express Café, offering breakfast, lunch and snacks throughout the day.
The college is home to a wide range of specialist facilities, including the Advanced Technology Centre — a hub for sustainable technologies, engineering and renewable systems with zoned workshops, a learning IT suite, and spaces designed for real-world problem solving. Students access the latest CAD/CAM software and hands-on equipment, reflecting current industry standards.
Crawley College is home to the Sussex & Surrey Institute of Technology (SSIoT) building, a £15 million, purposebuilt facility developed in partnership with universities and employers. Find out more about the SSIoT on page 8.
Additionally, the college’s STEM Centre offers immersive, interactive spaces with virtual and mixed-reality tech that enhance practical learning. These cutting-edge facilities ensure you learn with the tools, technologies and environments that reflect professional practice from day one.
Sussex & Surrey Institute of Technology
The Sussex & Surrey Institute of Technology (SSIoT) brings together employers, colleges and universities to support higher-level technical study across the region.
It connects learning with real industry practice, giving higher education students the opportunity to develop practical skills alongside academic study.
The SSIoT offer focuses on engineering, construction and digital subjects areas, where technical expertise is in sustained demand. Courses are shaped through employer input and regional insight, helping to ensure that what students learn reflects how these industries operate in practice.
The SSIoT supports a range of learners, whether progressing from college, building on existing experience, or retraining for a new sector, with defined routes into employement or further study.
At the centre of SSIoT is a purpose-built, hightech facility on the Crawley College campus. Designed for advanced technical learning, it includes CNC machines, robotics and automation, electronics laboratories, CAD suites,
3D printing and adaptable workshop spaces.
Collaborative areas support project work, group learning and engagement with employers, allowing students to work on real-world challenges in a professional environment. The SSIoT offer is further supported by specialist facilities across partner colleges and universities.
Employers work closely with SSIoT to help shape curriculum content and contribute to live projects, giving students insight into current industry practice and expectations while they study.
Crawley College, university-level
Your experience. Your voice.
Your time at college should feel like yours and that’s where the Students’ Union (SU) comes in.
Representing learners across the Chichester College Group, the SU is a student-powered team making sure voices are heard at every level at Crawley College. From shaping day-to-day student life to influencing decisions around learning, wellbeing and campus culture, the SU puts students at the heart of what happens here.
At Crawley, the SU champions an inclusive, student-led community through representation, events, societies and enrichment activities. Whether you’re keen to express yourself creatively, connect socially or build skills for the future, there are countless opportunities to get involved, meet people who share your interests and grow your confidence beyond the classroom.
Travel the world with Xtra and unlock unforgettable experiences beyond the classroom. Each year, the SU offers once-in-a-lifetime trips to incredible destinations, from supporting community projects in Kenya, to exploring the bright lights of New York City, to discovering the magic of Disneyland Paris, and so much more. These adventures are designed to broaden horizons, build confidence and create memories that will stay with you long after graduation.
Student spotlight
Jack’s journey is a powerful example of how the HNC in Construction can shape a confident, futurefocused career.
Now a Decarbonisation Manager at Crawley Borough Council, Jack began his path at Crawley College, completing an apprenticeship in welding and fabrication before progressing to the HNC in Construction Management. That combination of handson learning and technical knowledge sparked a lasting passion for how buildings are designed, drawn and delivered.
Crawley College, university-level
Supported by both the college and his employer, Jack developed the skills and confidence to move straight into a professional role, helping to drive sustainable change across the built environment.
The HNC in Construction is a proven gateway to apprenticeships, employment and progression across England’s thriving construction sector.
I’d definitely recommend the HNC. If you’re not sure where to go next, it opens your eyes to the range of opportunities in construction.
Jack Decarbonisation Manager at Crawley Borough Council
UCAS codes
HNC Course ICT1
HND Course ICT2
Institution C57
Duration
2 years, full-time
Computingfor England
courses
This course offers a vocational route to higher-level study, building your programming, data analysis and academic skills for progression to a full degree.
It includes a broad range of computing units that reflect the diversity of the modern computing industry.
Designed to develop a practical and wideranging skill set, the course prepares you for roles across the fast-growing digital sector. Over two years, you will build strong foundations in programming, networking, database design and software development, alongside the professional and analytical skills needed to work confidently in technical environments.
As you progress, you can tailor your learning through optional units and live assignment briefs based on real industry challenges. In year two, study advances into specialist areas such as application development, machine learning, network security, user experience design and database management systems. Small group teaching provides focused tutor support, helping you develop the confidence, technical ability and adaptability required to broaden your career opportunities in the digital industry.
This course develops your understanding of the construction industry and introduces you to the principles of construction management.
It is ideal for those seeking progression into junior management roles, focusing on current industry practices and the skills needed to succeed in today’s construction sector.
You will gain a practical understanding of how construction projects operate from early planning through to delivery. Study explores stakeholder engagement, effective project management techniques and the professional responsibilities required within a modern construction environment. You will build practical and managerial skills that support confident decision-making, problem-solving and coordination across projects.
Modules cover construction technology and the built environment, legal and statutory requirements, site supervision and operations, digital applications, financial management and business practices, alongside surveying, measuring and setting-out skills. Learning is delivered in small groups with strong employer links, industry-standard equipment and software, and guidance from experienced tutors, ensuring you are well prepared for junior construction management roles.
This course is ideal for those already working in the sector who want to progress into management or expand career opportunities, combining technical expertise with the analytical thinking behind confident engineering practice.
The course takes a structured approach, training you to analyse problems with mathematical precision and creative design thinking. You will learn how to evaluate engineering challenges, develop credible solutions and test ideas before they reach production.
Modules cover underpinning maths and science alongside key 21st-century engineering skills. Core units include Engineering Design, Engineering Maths and Science, Workshop Practices, Managing a Professional Engineering Project, PLC and Robotics, and Electrical Machines.
Study takes place in industry-standard workshops and laboratories, supported by experienced tutors, helping you progress confidently into leadership and advanced technical roles. Duration
1 year, full-time 2 years, part-time
2 years, full-time 3 years, part-time
Engineering often begins with a problem, and this course teaches you how to enjoy solving them.
Designed in collaboration with industry partners including Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, GTR Composites and Tesla Engineering, the programme blends design thinking with mathematical methods and applied engineering science.
In the first year, you study towards a Higher National Certificate (HNC), covering core areas such as design, mathematics, engineering science and the development of your own engineering project. If you progress to the second year, you will work towards a Higher National Diploma (HND), with modules including control systems, engineering management and quality.
Skills are developed through interactive studio and laboratory sessions, exploring renewable energy, quality improvement and Industry 4.0 practices. Learning takes place in a professional workshop environment with small group teaching, industry-standard facilities and expert tutors, supporting progression into a wide range of engineering roles.
forEngineering England
UCAS codes
HNC Course CEN1
HND Course CEN2
Institution C57
Duration
HNC
1 year, full-time 2 years, part-time
HND 2 years, full-time 3 years, part-time
Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ)
Crawley College, university-level
Graduation
At Crawley College, graduation is a memorable milestone for every student.
Each year, graduates gather at Chichester Cathedral, a historic and iconic venue in the heart of the city. The ceremony offers a meaningful moment to reflect on the hard work, commitment, and academic achievements attained throughout their studies.
Receiving their certificate on stage in such a prestigious setting marks a significant transition from education to the next stage of each student’s journey. In particular, every ceremony contains hundreds of individual stories, with students following their own paths to graduation. Each of these students have been shaped by different experiences, responsibilities and challenges. This day is about recognising every one of these students, as they celebrate their accomplishments surrounded by family, friends, and tutors, and look ahead to the opportunities awaiting them in their chosen industries.
It is a proud culmination of their time at Crawley College and a confident step into their future, be it in professional careers, postgraduate study, or industry roles.
Entry requirements
Flexible entry requirements
We recognise that student potential is demonstrated in many ways, so each application is considered individually. Alongside academic qualifications, we value industry experience and transferable skills gained through work, independent projects, or professional activity, and a personal statement. Typical entry requirements are outlined here; however, offers may vary to reflect individual strengths, ability, and experience
HNC courses
Entry will be based on industry experience, a relevant A-level or Level 3 qualification and GCSE grades. Each application is assessed by our dedicated admissions team.
HND courses
Entry will be based on industry experience, a relevant A-level or Level 3 qualification and GCSE grades, or successful completion of an HNC/HTQ. Each application is assessed by our dedicated admissions team.
GCSE English and maths
We strongly advise that all applicants have achieved 9-4 (A-C) grades in maths and English or an equivalent qualification to ensure the successful completion of the course and enhance future careers.
English as a second language
Applicants who have English as a second language and do not have a GCSE in English will be asked to take an IELTS assessment to demonstrate their ability to work at this level. The minimum overall score is 6.0, with no element under 5.5 in all four elements. The exception to this is students who have been educated in the UK and have been schooled in English. If they have achieved a grade D/3 they would not need to take the IELTS assessment.
Apply direct
If you only want to apply to Crawley College (part of the Chichester College Group), applying direct is the easiest way to secure your place.
Why apply direct?
+ Guaranteed interview
Secure an interview for your chosen university-level course
+ £250 bursary
Existing CCG students can receive a one-off bursary of £250 towards your study costs* (you must still be enrolled as a student on 31 January during your first year to receive the bursary)
+ No application fees
If we’re your only choice of institution, you won’t pay any application fees
+ Personalised support
Get help with your application upon request, including guidance for Disabled Student Allowance, Student Finance Tuition Fees and Maintenance Loans
*Correct at time of printing for students completing a Level 3 qualification in summer 2026. Benefits may change for future students.
How to apply
You can apply online via UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) for all undergraduate courses.
You’ll be supported through the process by your school UCAS team or by applying at the college through the Progression Plus team.
UCAS allows you to apply to up to five universities. You must use UCAS if you want to apply to more than one college or university.
You’ll need your current school or college, plus your tutor for advice and a reference.
When to apply
We advise you to work on your application during the autumn term and submit your application before 13 January 2027 (UCAS deadline). We will consider late applications, but you are strongly encouraged to meet this deadline in order to receive priority consideration.
throughApplying UCAS
What’s next?
Offering you a place
Within one week of your interview, we will send you an offer if a place on the course is agreed in your interview. An offer will be unconditional or conditional. Conditional offers are based not only upon your interview but also on your exam results.
Applicants who have applied through UCAS will receive their offer on UCAS Track.
Accepting your offer on UCAS
If you have applied through UCAS, once you have received offers from all the universities you applied to, UCAS will require you to accept one of your offers as your “firm” choice and another as your “insurance” choice. UCAS sets all the deadlines by which time you must let them know your decision.
Deferred entry
We are happy to take applications from students who plan to take a gap year before starting their degree course.
University-level fees
The fees you pay will depend on several factors, including where you choose to study, the level of your course and whether you are studying full-time or part-time. For the most up-to-date fee information, please visit the course information page of the college website.
Student loans
UK students can apply for Government student loans to cover tuition fees and help with living costs while studying. These loans are normally available to students with settled status in the UK but eligibility needs to be checked with Student Finance England.
You will only start repaying your loan once you are earning above a certain income threshold. When this happens, repayments are taken automatically from your salary through the income tax system. Apply online at student finance for undergraduates: gov.uk/student-finance
Finance & funding
Enjoying our new look?
We’ve chosen Inconstant Regular by Daniel Brokstad as the new typeface for this year’s university-level course guide. It was selected not only for its distinctive, contemporary look, but because it represents something meaningful: accessibility and inclusivity.
Inconstant is designed with an irregular set of letterforms to help people with dyslexia read more easily. As a college group that places opportunity for everyone at its core, Inconstant Regular felt like the right choice. It supports accessibility while reflecting the uniqueness of our campuses and the diversity of the people within them.
Crawley College, university-level
Commissioned by Dyslexia Scotland for their awareness campaign, There’s Nothing Comic About Dyslexia, designer, Daniel, talks through the challenges of beginning the project, researching and learning what makes a typeface legible for people with dyslexia.
A huge range of glyphs and concept entry points were sketched out on how to solve this. Eventually landing on the concept of inconsistently inconsistent, by adding in the different stylistic sets and contextual alternatives.
