Belfast Metropolitan College
Description of Belfast Metropolitan College
- Year of foundation: 1906
- Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
- Age of students: 17+
- Number of students: 2000+
- Language of instruction: English
- Type of study: college.
Belfast Met is the largest college of continuing and higher education in Northern Ireland and one of the largest in the UK.
The history of Belfast Metropolitan College dates back to the early 1900s, when the Municipal Technical Institute was opened in September 1906. It played a central role in the development of further education in Belfast, and its opening coincided with a period of significant economic and political development. The imposing new building in College Square East was designed to meet the education and training needs of a large industrial area. It was a temple of knowledge, sciences, arts, crafts, dedicated to the industrial revolution, one of the most beautiful buildings of Belfast at that time.
Subsequently, several more establishments were opened in various parts of the city, including Stanhope Street (near Clifton Street), Rupert Stanley (in the east of the city) and the College of Business Studies (Brunswick Street). In the early 1990s, these institutions were merged under the guise of the Institute of Further and Higher Education of Belfast. In August 2007, the Belfast Institute merged with Castlereagh College, in East Belfast, after which it received its current name - Belfast Metropolitan College.
Teachers and methodologists of the college have developed a modern educational program that reflects the priority areas of development of Northern Ireland, in which new jobs will be created. Partnerships with industrial organizations allow us to constantly develop and adapt it to current and future needs.
It offers a wide range of educational services of various levels and courses - from apprenticeship to degree and postgraduate studies. In addition, students receive a wide range of employment opportunities and skills necessary for work.
The college has an excellent reputation among employers, giving students a sought-after and high-quality education, building long-term and mutually beneficial cooperation. Teachers are considered experts in a number of key areas of the economy, and the institution's contribution to the progress, achievements and competitiveness of Northern Ireland is assessed at government level.
Programs and prices, tuition fees in Belfast Metropolitan College
A-level
- Age – 17+;
- Duration – from 2 years;
- The language of instruction is English.
Belfast Met can be a great choice for those wishing to complete the A-level program. Among the variety of elective courses offered: biology, business studies, chemistry, digital technologies, economics, English literature, film studies, geography, state and politics, history, mathematics, media studies, physics, religious studies and sociology.
The college maintains close ties with local universities, which allows for expanding opportunities for advancement for students. Along with the initial application, students can improve their UCAS results or increase the chances of successful admission / employment due to the corresponding line in the resume.
The college offers the following courses:
- Diploma of Pharmacist (with chemistry level A),
- GCE A2 Biology, Chemistry, CCEA Physics,
- GCE A2 Spanish CCEA (step 8, 9),
- GCE AS Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French (step 8) CCEA.
Higher Level Apprenticeships
- Age – 17+;
- Duration – 2/3 years;
- The language of instruction is English.
Advanced mentoring internships offer students a new and exciting path to employment, combined with obtaining a professional qualification of level 4 or 5. An additional incentive will be to combine training with paid internships at partner companies at the national, regional and local levels, mentoring and support that allows you to achieve higher success in a short time.
The program is aimed equally at students with A-level qualification, and at those who want to completely change the field of activity. Entrance tests and requirements for different programs vary – relevant information can be provided upon request.
The enhanced mentoring is the fruit of a collaboration between DfE and Belfast Met to provide solutions based on the teacher's needs for staff development in key industries, combined with a close focus on state and local business support programs.
At the moment, internships include level 4 and 5 qualifications, however, in the future, it is expected that the college will also offer postgraduate levels 7 and 8. The duration of the program is at least 2 years and differs depending on the chosen course.
Among the available qualifications are such popular as:
- Bookkeeping
- Civil engineering
- Cybersecurity and network infrastructure,
- Cloud Computing and Application Development,
- Hospitality management,
- Childcare education and development,
- Culinary arts
Higher National Diplomas (HNDs)
- Age – 17+;
- Duration – from 1 year;
- The language of instruction is English.
Higher National Diplomas (HND) are professionally related qualifications of the highest level, allowing you to obtain the skills necessary for a particular job. They have a level 5, which is equivalent to a basic degree and makes its owner a sought-after specialist in the labor market.
The qualification is internationally recognized and can be taken into account by trade unions and associations of different countries.
Belfast Metropolitan College offers a wide range of options, as well as assistance in choosing a course that is most fully consistent with plans and career prospects, helping to develop personally and professionally.
Graduates of the program can continue their studies with an eye to a degree or professional qualification, enter the labor market directly. At the same time, HND will cost a noticeably smaller amount than university education.
Courses are available in the following areas:
- Aeronautics
- Agricultural machinery and animal care,
- Business
- Photodele,
- Software development,
- Engineering
- Electronics and Engineering,
- Development of computer games,
- Music, etc., a total of 28 directions.
Basic Degree
- Age – 17+;
- Duration – from 1 year;
- The language of instruction is English.
The European labor market is facing a shortage of skilled labor, which affects the market for educational services. An increasing number of people increase their level of proficiency in various necessary skills, which allows them to increase higher qualifications and payment. Belfast Met covers this direction, offering basic degrees in a huge range of areas.
These courses are developed and taught in collaboration with employers and universities, which gives graduates a noticeable advantage in the form of mastering specific practical skills in the academic and technical sphere, and - in demand in the labor market.
At the same time, the graduate receives a diploma of higher education with international recognition, since the training in the basic degree program is carried out in cooperation with leading British universities, including the Queen's University of Belfast, the University of Ulster, the Open University and the University of Dundee.
Advantages of the basic degree:
- Lower tuition fees compared to a regular university bachelor's degree;
- Practical experience in the specialty;
- An excellent solution for those who intend to enter higher education, since the presence of a basic degree allows you to enter the second year immediately;
- Compact classes, which makes the program more meaningful, and contacts with teachers - individual.
Higher education
- Age – 17+;
- Duration – from 2 years;
- The language of instruction is English.
Belfast Met offers a choice of higher education (HE) courses that are closely tied to the needs of the industry. The leading providers of educational services of the United Kingdom take part in the development of courses: the Royal University, located right here in Belfast, the Universities of Ulster and Dundee. All programs are externally audited on a par with university courses.
Students, entering the program, are also enrolled in the university, receiving all the rights of students in the undergraduate program of the relevant university.
Having successfully completed the course, the graduate receives ample opportunities for further education and can enter the second or last year of study at the university.
Accommodation, meals, prices
As the largest college of continuing and higher education in Northern Ireland, Belfast Met has campuses in 4 locations: Titanic, Milfield, Castlereagh and e3 Springvale. These are state-of-the-art buildings with world-class classrooms that meet industry standards, such as the professional standard of the Belfast School of Film and Television. Each building is equipped with a library, a café, comfortable classrooms and rest rooms for students.
- Titanic Campus
The largest campus is located in a picturesque area in the harbor of Belfast, close to the Titanic Museum and a number of other significant places of interest. The campus is equipped with modern rooms for lectures and a library complex; there are student unions, employment offices and student funding offices.
- Milford Campus
It is located in the heart of the city, in close proximity to a variety of catering establishments, trade, amenities and entertainment and recreational areas, not to mention classrooms and specialized premises designed to realize opportunities in all aspects of student life.
- Castlereagh Campus
Located on the south-eastern outskirts of Belfast and houses courses in science and engineering, automaking, sports, medicine, theatre and fine arts, design, fashion and textiles, plumbing, information technology and creative media.
- Springvale Campus – e3
The e3 building of the Springvale campus is located in the west of the city and combines premises for students and business partners. It is also home to the Belfast School of Film and Television.
Advantages
- Wide range of courses;
- World-class attractions as a backdrop for study, life and achievements;
- Brilliant industry experts as educators;
- Lower (compared to universities) cost of education;
- Valuable skills;
- A multicultural and cosmopolitan community of over 90 nationalities speaking more than 50 world languages;
- Top status: the educational institution is included in the 37% of the best providers of educational services in the country in terms of student community satisfaction;
- More than 120 awards in 2019-2022;
- The largest selection of full-time and part-time courses of additional and higher education in Northern Ireland.
Facilities and equipment at Belfast Metropolitan College
The Titanic campus boasts:
- Industrial sewing and craft workshops, art classes and textile workshop;
- Five training kitchens, a bakery and an observation gallery that allows you to observe the work of the masters;
- A fundamental library and support service that provides access to a large number of printed and electronic resources;
- Modern scientific laboratories;
- Equipped with training beauty salons and hairdressers providing services to the public;
- Premises of the Student Union;
- Cafeteria, offering hot and cold dishes at an affordable price, with a wonderful view from the window to the courtyard;
- Fitness center with modern simulators;
- Gourmet restaurant The Linen Lounge where students get real practice;
- Conference halls and halls of various capacities up to 500 seats, multimedia halls and other venues.
The Milford campus can offer students:
- A library with a huge selection of printed materials, separate classrooms, areas for quiet and group work, meeting areas, computers, equipment for printing and photocopying;
- Cafe "Einstein", dining room and café "Moka", working on takeaway;
- Modern and equipped with the highest level lecture hall;
- Language laboratories, recording studio and television studio;
- Graphic design cabinets with a variety of equipment from Apple and Adobe;
- Photo studio;
- Premises for painting, ceramics, household classes;
- Telecommunication room and experiments with electricity;
- Workshops of the Center for Skills Development for Automobiles, Plumbing and Heating, Electrical Engineering (Electrical Installation), Alarm Installation Services, Carpentry/Carpentry and Metalworking.
The Castlereagh campus offers:
- Round-the-clock library with a large number of printed and electronic literature;
- Spacious hall for lectures;
- Cafeteria "Met", offering hot and cold dishes;
- Modern scientific laboratories and research center;
- Sports facilities of various profiles, including a gym and a gym, a rugby court and a massage parlor;
- Modern sports hall with markings for various sports, from netball and basketball to volleyball and tennis;
- Standard industry workshops for automotive and auto mechanics, plumbing and heating, electrical engineering (electrical installation);
- Forge and locksmith shop;
- Aviation simulator in the form of a model of the compartment of the Boeing-747 aircraft with a cabin, a full-profile galley and 24 seats, allowing you to train flight attendants, and in the future - pilots and flight engineers;
- Tailoring workshops;
- Fully equipped and modern classrooms with IT packages that include high-end PC workstations with industry-standard software, an immersive kit including virtual/augmented reality devices, digital equipment for filming/photography, a recording studio;
- Two specialized cybersecurity laboratories.
Campus e3 offers:
- TV studio for 60 seats with a control room;
- Soundproof recording studio;
- News studio and audio production complex;
- Learning spaces for project activities;
- 9 business incubators;
- A café where you can have a coffee and a snack.
Library Resources
All campuses have their own library, each of which offers students a wide range of resources purchased to support students in specialized areas for the campus. Students can use them as their primary source of scientific knowledge and information.
All students receive lists of recommended reading literature.
In addition, an authorized virtual learning environment, Belfast Met Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), provides students with access to a range of e-books and full-text databases off-campus for all students and faculty.
In general, the Belfast Metropolitan College library is:
- Over 80,000 books and 80 sets of periodicals;
- Wireless internet in all 4 libraries of campuses;
- Rent and leasing of laptops;
- Quiet work areas for individual and group work;
- Areas for informal meetings;
- Wide range of photocopying services;
- Long working time;
- Independent return and selection of literature.
Enrolment process
The admission process consists of the following main stages:
- Course search
- Students can view courses or use the search, select the courses they need to obtain additional information, request it by phone or e-mail;
- At a time, a student can apply for 5 courses (a larger number of applications will entail an increased processing time);
- Once a student has chosen the number of courses he needs, he proceeds to the process of filling out the application. Alternatively, you can request a paper copy of the application, write to the e-mail or contact the administration by phone number;
- The date of submission of the application is the date of receipt of the completed form by the college.
- Sending and consideration of the application
- After registering the application, the administration will ask to provide documents confirming the qualifications of the student (this can be done using the Personal Account);
- Sending an application is not a guarantee of enrollment - there is a competitive selection in the college;
- Applications are considered in chronological order;
- In case of an affirmative decision, the applicant receives an offer (s). If he receives more than one offer, he will have to choose one and reject all the others. If the applicant rejects the application, his name will remain on the waiting list. This will allow you to use the application as a place of second choice, if you are unable to enter the priority course and there are free places.
- If the student is no longer interested in the course, he should withdraw his application as soon as possible.
Perspectives
- 51.9% of graduates of further education programmes and 55.9% of graduates of higher education institutions receive a place with a salary of more than 21 thousand pounds / year within a year after graduation;
- The average annual salary of Belfast Met graduates is £21,000–23,999; this corresponds to the average salary of graduates of New York University;
- 69.8% of Belfast Met FE graduates are convinced that their course has prepared them well for employment and further careers (Survey of Graduates of Additional Education 2018/19).
Scholarships Belfast Metropolitan College
The college has a fund to support students who find themselves in a difficult life situation. It accepts applications until the end of October this year. Students experiencing difficulties can submit an application that includes the following information:
- Course fee;
- Additional living expenses;
- Travel expenses;
- Expenses for books and equipment;
- Childcare costs.
It is assumed that before applying, the student has exhausted all other opportunities to seek funding. The application review process can last up to 6 weeks, following the results of the review, you will receive a notification to your e-mail.
Institution on the map
Residence permits, citizenship and other services
- Guardianship services during the studies
- Student supervision
Review about Belfast Metropolitan College
Recommendations on when to apply
| Language courses, schools and children's language camps | Primary and secondary education - private schools | Preparation programmes for entering universities - higher education | Higher education (after completing accredited programs A-level, IB, High School) - Bachelor, Master, MBA |
| - we recommend to apply 6-9 months before the start of the course (some camps and schools offer discounts for early booking or for lengthy study programs) - there are some very popular and high demand children's camps, where the applications need to be submitted 1 year in advance (in particular Switzerland , Great Britain , USA , Canada , Austria) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the training program, - some schools have a specific time frame (September-November - please specify an individual school) - some schools require tests in several stages (UKISET, internal tests of the school: English, mathematics, logics, subjects, interview, some require a personal visit) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the program, - for Foundation and Pathway programs, IELTS and TOEFL certificates are usually required, respectively | - recommended submission one year before the start of the program, - the deadline normally closes in January, for TOP HEIs and, as a rule, in March in other universities - for a bachelor, a Foundation or Pathway preparatory program a completed A-level, IB, High School + IELTS / TOEFL are required - for Masters you need a graduated higher education, in some cases you need a pre-Masters program - MBA requires completed higher education, work experience preferably at least 2-3 years, etc. |
