Kingston Maurward College

• Location: Dorchester, Dorset, United Kingdom
• Age of students: from 16 years old,
• Type of study: blended,
• Language of instruction: English.

Kingston Maurward College is a rural college in the heart of the beautiful county of Dorset, just a few miles from the sea. The college is a member of the Landex group, an association of educational institutions that provide courses in agriculture and horticulture.

The college's mission is to provide an inspiring and challenging education combined with learning opportunities to equip its students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in life and work. Kingston Maurward College (KMC) offers a variety of study options to its students: although the college is mainly focused on providing "land-based" education (e.g., agriculture, horticulture, construction), students can also opt for more general courses in business and IT.

Students at KMC are inspired to realize their potential and thrive in a challenging yet nurturing environment. On a daily basis, young people can enjoy exciting learning and amenities in a lively private rural estate.

A number of staff provide support to students and trainees throughout the college. Students feel safe and well cared for thanks to the individual advice and guidance of teachers, assessors and support staff.

The information available to students and interns is complete, versatile, and provided in any convenient way. Staff experience is recognized as a key resource, as many employees have years of knowledge and are successful in their chosen field.

In the heart of the KMC campus, the Coach House Café serves a wide variety of hot meals, salads, and delicious snacks for both students and staff. It serves homemade meals and a wide variety of dietary requirements, including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free.

The Classroom 4 Café is located on the east side of campus, allowing off-campus students to grab a bite to eat on time. It offers the same wide range of dishes as the Coach House Café at the same affordable prices.

All meals are prepared with fresh ingredients grown on the estate's own estate and provided by local suppliers, all prepared on campus by the in-house catering team. Kingston Maurward College believes in delicious and nutritious food, selects the best ingredients and makes no compromise on quality. The college uses 100% compostable foodservice tableware made from special plant-based plastics.

Students are given the opportunity to stay at the Uni Halls Hotel. The all-inclusive rental price includes: free Wi-Fi, security and maintenance. Uni Halls has several accessible rooms adapted for students with disabilities. The halls have common areas such as a kitchen where you can meet your flatmates for a cup of tea, access to the dining room where you can share a meal with other students.

Kingston Maurward College encourages all its students to be active and involved in college life, offering diverse and exciting professional development programs: sports teams, clubs, fitness clubs, gym and more. The college is open to all students and encourages people to engage in regular physical activity, regardless of their ability or experience.

The Peak Fitness Center is available for KMC students, which is equipped with a wide range of gym equipment, including cardio equipment, weight machines, treadmills, a cardio section, and a HIIT workout area. There is a covered wall for bouldering, a fitness area. Gym supervisors and instructors will advise and support students, and the gym is monitored throughout the day.

The main sports at KMC are:

• Football and futsal. The college is proud of its success story in the most popular game in the world. Students of different levels of education are provided with a variety of opportunities to start their journey in this sport. 
• Rugby: KMC is a college specialising in rugby in the South West of England.
• Netball: Just developing in college, but has already won the hearts of many students. The netball program provides excellent opportunities for students to express themselves and work as a team.

Kingston Maurward College is located on a picturesque 750-acre estate. The college has some of the best facilities in the country, including:

• Georgian style house,
• A 5-acre lake,
• Zoo
• Agrotechnological Center,
• Forge and welding workshops,
• Climbing wall,
• Commercial farm,
• Shop
• Construction workshops,
• Modern greenhouses
• Tractor fleet,
• Grooming salon,
• Landscaped gardens,
• Rope tracks,
• Indoor and outdoor arenas for horses of international size,
• Stables for 36 horses,
• Learning Resource Center,
• Library
• State-of-the-art laboratories,
• Sports grounds,
• State-of-the-art zootechnics center.

The academic year at Kingston Maurward College runs from September to June. The year is divided into 3 trimesters, between which vacations are organized:

• Autumn trimester (September – December),
• Christmas Vacation (2 weeks),
• Spring trimester (January – March),
• Easter holidays (2 weeks),
• Summer term (April – June),
• Summer holidays (2 months, July and August).

Additional costs:

• Registration fee,
• Deposit
• Visa fee,
• Transport
• Residence
• Nutrition
• Overalls (for some courses),
• Educational materials and stationery,
• Extracurricular activities.

Upon admission to Kingston Maurward College, the candidate must do the following:

• Apply for education and receive confirmation of admission.
• Once the candidate has secured a place on the course, the Kingston Maurward College International Office will assist with the appropriate visa application.
• If a student requires a visa, they must ensure that they are applying for the correct form. Students arriving on a tourist visa will only be allowed to study for a limited period.
• Students who require a visa can apply for a full course of English with a short-term study visa or for an academic course at NQF (National Qualifications System) levels 3/4/5/6 with a student route visa.

At the moment, Kingston Maurward College has more than 700 full-time students. Students are between 16 and 18 years old. Students study a wide range of courses, including zoology, horse studies, and construction.

KMCprepared is Kingston Maurward College's career development program designed to help students take the optimal next step. The college promotes equal opportunity for all, aiming to increase students' aspirations and prepare them for life after graduation. Every student has access to career, education, advice and guidance (CEAIG) information that contributes to their advancement.

Kingston Maurward College has the following basic requirements for different levels of study:

• Level 1 Diplomas and Certificates – 4 final exams of 2/E or above, including English and Mathematics.
• Level 2 Diplomas Certificates and Technical Certificates – 4 final exams at level 3/D or above, including English and Mathematics, or successful completion of a Level 1 diploma in a relevant professional subject and the development of Level 1 functional skills.
• Level 3 Diplomas, One Year Courses, Advanced Technical Diplomas, and T Levels – 4 final exams at level 4/C or above, which may or may not include English and Maths OR a relevant Level 2 Merit Level qualification with a Good Behaviour/Attitude Report OR an intermediate level internship in agriculture with a good level of English and Maths.
• Level 3 Extended Diplomas. These two-year diplomas are advanced courses that develop higher technical skills and detailed understanding and knowledge in a specific subject area. Extended Diplomas provide an alternative pathway to university and are equivalent to 3 A-Level levels.
• Level 4 – Candidates will need a Level 3 qualification. This may include an Extended Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture – a PPP grade or above, or an MP for a 720-credit Extended Diploma. Level A corresponds to a combination of 48 UCAS points in eligible subjects.

Kingston Maurward College offers financial support (scholarships) that are funded by the government and the college. Scholarships are awarded based on financial need to help cover college-related expenses such as transportation (either college travel or a gas subsidy), equipment, or clothing.

Eligibility for a scholarship does not guarantee that a payment will be awarded: scholarships are awarded at the discretion of the college, require continuous course attendance and satisfactory academic performance.

Kingston Maurward College has established a grant program to provide financial assistance to students. Grants are provided by the Henry Hoare Charitable Foundation and the Romo Trust Foundation to cover additional expenses for education: books, equipment, special materials and clothing, study visits and others.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision