Wigan & Leigh College commemorates 70 years of delivering Higher Education during the same year it is awarded University Centre status.

‘Wigan Mining and Technical College’ as it was then called, was established in 1857 and launched its first higher education programme in the academic year 1946-47. Following the partnership established in 1991, students are now awarded their degrees from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) which is in the top 3.7% of universities worldwide.

70 year celebrations kicked off with a Research Symposium where degree students showcased their projects to academic tutors and business experts.

Dr Janet Thompson, Head of Higher Education at the University Centre Wigan and Leigh College, said, “We are proud to be celebrating 70 years of providing quality higher education in the borough. In 1956, seventeen men graduated, and fast forward to 2017 we have over 600 students studying for their higher education qualification and going on to achieve long successful careers.”