With lockdown restrictions lifting, learners and employers across North Lincolnshire are set to enjoy the full benefits of a new multi-million pounds state-of-the-art facility for innovation, education, and partnership, part-funded by the Greater Lincolnshire LEP alongside DN Colleges Group and North Lincolnshire Council.

University Campus North Lincolnshire (UCNL), part of DN Colleges Group, has seen a former council building on the edge of Central Park in Scunthorpe transformed into a spacious modern learning and events space over three floors which significantly enhances the diversity and quality of regional provision for higher education with a focus on innovation and serves the local community and businesses.

Courses include HNCs and HNDs, foundation and full degrees, short courses, and apprenticeships with full and part-time courses delivered flexibly to work around learners’ other commitments. With the latest Industry 4.0 equipment on site, the campus is also a key partner in the region’s Institute of Technology – a network of education providers and employers creating pathways into careers in engineering, technology and construction.

UCNL’s programme of course content includes business and management, engineering, technology and construction, and health and care. UCNL has over 1,100 learners across its higher education courses, including more than 450 on courses targeted as regional skills priorities by the LEP.

An important addition for UCNL is designated hub status for business and community networking and shared learning. Spacious top-floor conference facilities, plus classrooms and break-out spaces, combine with the revitalised Chamber Lecture Theatre to enable a diversity of events and activities. Now that people can begin to mix again more safely, the team at UCNL is excited about what can be achieved.

In the coming months, UCNL is hosting a growing number of employer and community focused activities with a launch and welcome event for businesses planned for early May. Later the same month, and in partnership with North Lincolnshire Council, a careers festival will provide advice and opportunities for people of all ages and in June, plans in partnership with the University of Lincoln are under way to host a major conference for the region’s food and drink industry. Look out for more detail about these and other opportunities.  

Adam Hewitt, Director of Higher Education at DN Colleges Group with a remit for business and community engagement, said: “Since September it’s been fantastic to welcome higher education learners onto the campus and to see them making them most of the new classrooms and facilities. Now that we can safely and responsibly welcome a wider range of partners on site, we can start to realise UCNL’s full potential.

“We are finding a growing confidence amongst people to meet in person again. Working face to face sparks creativity, builds connections, and inspires ideas. We hope UCNL will help people do that and enable educators and employers in the region to work even more collaboratively."

Click to find out more about UCNL and discover the region’s Institute of Technology

For more information about opportunities at UCNL, please contact Adam Hewitt at Adam.Hewitt@don.ac.uk