Duchy College

In addition to specialising in food processing and manufacturing, Duchy College is also a leading centre of learning in all aspects of land-based agri-food and rural business development.  Duchy College works with food processing and manufacturing businesses and with employers in the land-based agricultural sector across the south west, and is also a partner in some national provision. As part of Cornwall College Corporation it has huge breadth of provision applicable to the sector.

The learning, skills and knowledge transfer provision has been shaped by the practical needs of employers, as expressed through the college’s successful industrial steering groups, which include representatives from companies such as Ginsters, Tulip and many others. The consequent quality and breadth of services on offer has qualified Duchy College for membership of three specialist networks of the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink – Dairy, Meat & Poultry, and Food Manufacturing Excellence.

Central to the food-industry services provided on the campus at Stoke Climsland is the college’s £4.7 million Food Innovation Centre, which is fully equipped with manufacturing and processing facilities and microbiological laboratories, geared especially to the needs of the strong dairy and meat and poultry sectors in the south west.

Current food-industry courses and learning programmes include: a City and Guilds in Food Studies; Foundation Certificates in a range of food safety aspects for industry; college and work-based courses leading to qualifications in Food Manufacture at Levels 2 and 3; and Level 2 Apprenticeship programmes in butchery and food manufacturing. 

At the more advanced levels of learning, Duchy College provides a Foundation Degree in Food Studies, a food strand on the BSc (Hons) in Rural Business Management, and a Research Masters programme (ResM) tailored to work placed problem solving and investigation.  Short courses, cpd  and consultancy are provided through its Food Innovation Service.