Specialist Colleges

Specialist Colleges offer quality further education for students with disabilities or learning difficulties. They are often small and focus on a particular type of student intake, such as those with Autism, those that are blind or partially sighted or those with significant emotional and behavioural difficulties. Almost all colleges offer extended curricula and have a high proportion of residential students, some of whom require very high levels of care.

Funding for students wishing to attend a specialist college may be provided by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). If the LSC decides that a student's needs can only be met by going to a specialist college, then they have a duty to fund a place for them there.