Explore Higher Education Facilities at Dearne Valley College
Choosing the right place to pursue higher education is a major decision, and Dearne Valley College stands out as a top choice for people in South Yorkshire and beyond.
A small and friendly campus with state-of-the-art facilities and a wide range of higher education (HE) courses, our Dearne Valley Campus provides an inspiring environment where HE learners can thrive.
Whether you’re interested in progressing your career, gaining practical skills, or continuing academic studies, discover the amazing higher education facilities that will help you achieve your goals.
Animal Management Centre
One of the most exciting facilities at our Dearne Valley Campus is the animal management centre which is home to a diverse range of species. The animal housing and herpetology rooms have guinea pigs, rabbits, skins, snakes, and tortoises. We are also one of the only campuses nationally to have an armadillo.
A recent addition is the new nocturnal room which has a family of sugar gliders. There is also a small holding in the grounds with farm animals.
Having access to a range of animals means our HE learners get practical, hands-on experience in areas like animal behaviour, health and welfare, feeding, temperature monitoring, and cleaning.
If you want to turn your love of animals into a professional career that makes a real difference, studying a higher education course opens the door to a wide range of opportunities.
At HE level, we offer both the HNC and HND in Animal Management.
The HNC is a one-year level 4 course which covers things like ecological principles, anatomy and physiology, animal nursing, and working in a business environment.
The HND is a two-year level 5 course which includes the above plus animal boarding, ethics, wildlife conservation, breeding and genetics.
After graduating, you could work with animals in a range of settings, from veterinary care and animal rehabilitation to wildlife conservation and zoo management.
Esport Gaming Suite
Esport gaming has become a lucrative industry in recent years, which is why we’ve invested in cutting-edge esports facilities at our Dearne Valley Campus.
The esport gaming suite is designed to give students a professional gaming and learning experience with high spec gaming PCs and hardware, VR gear and digital displays, and retro gaming consoles.
Students also have access to the incredible new F1 Williams racing simulator used by professional racers like Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel. The simulator offers the most life-life and precise racing experience, giving you the chance to learn about things like the physics of racing, the engineering behind F1 cars, and the strategy involved to help develop your skills in motorsport gaming.
If you’re keen to work in the esports industry, studying a higher education course goes beyond the gameplay to help you build a sustainable and credible career.
At HE level, we offer the HNC in Esport. This is a one-year level 4 qualification which covers areas like analytics, tournament or event operations, branding and sponsorship, and government and legislation.
After qualifying, you could become a professional gamer, coach or content creator, or work within the esport industry in management, production, or sales and marketing roles.
If you don’t have a level 3 qualification or the UCAS points needed to study at HE level, we also offer a one-year Access to HE course which will enable you to progress to the HNC.
Health Suite
For people interested in retraining in health or social care, Dearne Valley Campus has a fully equipped, purpose-built health suite.
There is a simulated operating area with infection control area and recovery ward, a medical assessment ward with consultation area, plus a biomedical laboratory for anatomy and dissection modules.
Student also get to practice their skills on our two resident mannequins, ALEX and GERi. ALEX has AI capabilities and is used for patient communication within the assessment ward. He talks, has a pulse, and a camera in his eye to record consultations with students.
GERi is a ten-stone elderly patient with latex skin, arthritic joints, removable teeth, and catheter and stoma entry points. Students can practice cannulation, moving and handling, and elderly nursing care.
The health suite also has a VR studio with ocular headsets that learners can wear during theory-based lessons. The technology will help our healthcare students visualise the inside of the body, learn about physiology and understand how diseases might progress. The VR headsets can also be used for virtual consultations to allow learners to explore different patient experience scenarios.
The health suite and our higher education course has been designed with employers like the NHS with a focus on improving clinical practice skills shortages faced within healthcare.
At HE level, we offer the Foundation Degree in Assistant Practitioner for Health and Social Care. This is a two-year level 5 course equivalent to the first two years of a traditional undergraduate degree.
You’ll develop the skills needed for band 3 roles such as an associate practitioner within a health or social care setting like nursing, midwifery, social work, or care. It’s a great option for existing workers wanting to upskill, or adults who are looking to retrain.
If you don’t already have a level 3 qualification or UCAS points needed to study at HE level, we also offer a one-year Access to HE course which will enable you to progress to the foundation degree.
Academy of Sport
Did you know our Dearne Valley Campus has its own fitness and sports centre with indoor and outdoor facilities? DVC Sports is our flagship sports centre that’s home to our sports academies, such as the Momentous Football Academy.
The Fitness 63 gym, astroturf football pitches, and multi-sport cages are also open to the public, with student membership options available.
Set within 42 acres of land, we also have an outdoor low ropes course for team building and agility training. Plus, we have access to nearby Manvers Lake for water sports.
Students on our protective services courses and sports courses have their practical lessons within the gym and sports facility.
If you are interested in a career in uniformed public services, we offer the HNC in Crime and Criminal Justice. This one-year level 4 course will enhance your skills and knowledge in areas like law and legal systems, equality and diversity, crime reduction and community safety, psychology of behaviour, and crime and substance misuse.
For those interested in a career in sports coaching, we offer the HNC in Community Coaching for England. Again, this is a one-year level 4 course where you’ll work towards developing your skills in project and event management, sports development, working with inclusive groups, and health and wellbeing.
Want to see our facilities for yourself?
Book a free place on our upcoming open event for a tour of the Dearne Valley Campus. Tutors will also be there to answer any questions you have about higher education or the courses available.
Wednesday 11th June 3.30pm – 6.30pm with three one-hour time slots.