At United Colleges Group, working with partners is central to how we support our students, communities and local economy. We work closely with local authorities, universities, employers and community organisations across London and the wider region to create meaningful opportunities for learning, progression and employment.
Through these partnerships, we develop programmes that respond to local skills needs, support social mobility and help our students succeed in their chosen careers.
UCG works with a range of higher education providers to offer progression routes, collaborative programmes and specialist training opportunities.
Our higher education partners include:
We also work with the University of Westminster to deliver degree apprenticeships and are a member of Linking London, a collaborative network led by Birkbeck that supports progression into higher education.
Additional specialist partnerships include Islington Music Workshop and Fourth Monkey Actor Training Studio, providing unique progression pathways in music and performing arts.
We work closely with local councils to support skills development, community engagement and employment opportunities.
Brent Council is the local authority for the London Borough of Brent in Greater London and was formed in 1965 from the area of the former Municipal Borough of Wembley and Municipal Borough of Willesden of Middlesex. Read more about Brent Council here.
Camden London Borough Council is the local authority for the London Borough of Camden in Greater London. Read more about Camden Council here.
Westminster City Council is the local authority for the City of Westminster in Greater London. Read more about Westminster City Council here.
Our partnerships with charities, employers and sector organisations help us deliver innovative programmes and enrichment opportunities that support student success.
United Colleges Group has partnered with Arsenal in the Community (AITC) for over 11 years to deliver specialist sports education programmes for students aged 16–18. The partnership offers a Level 2 Diploma in Sport and a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Physical Activity, providing an alternative pathway for students who want to pursue careers in sport or who may not have achieved the grades needed for traditional sixth form routes. Delivered in a state-of-the-art sports coaching facility, the programmes combine academic study with practical coaching experience, personal development and extensive work placements through the wider Arsenal organisation. With small class sizes, dedicated support for students with additional learning needs and strong links to employers, the programmes achieve consistently high outcomes, with many students progressing to university, employment or Arsenal’s Coach Development Programme. The partnership continues to expand its offer, including a new one-year Level 3 programme, helping more young people access meaningful education and career opportunities in the sports sector. Read more about Arsenal here.
United Colleges Group has partnered with Community Systems (North London) Ltd for over 20 years to deliver community-based learning opportunities that support people into education and employment. Since opening a new delivery centre in Luton in 2024, the partnership has provided ESOL and maths training at Entry Levels 1–3, alongside personal and social development programmes that help learners build confidence, improve English language skills and integrate into their local communities. Working closely with Jobcentre Plus, the programme supports learners through practical activities, digital skills development and access to local services, while also offering careers advice and progression routes into vocational training and employment. The partnership has achieved consistently strong outcomes, with around 95% success rates. Read more about Community Systems here.
UCG partners with the National Youth Theatre to deliver a Level 2 - Extended Certificate in Performing Arts programme and a Level 3 - Access to HE Diploma (Theatre Arts). NYT have 30 students per course level and target 19-30 year old adults living in London, who are unemployed, low wage or NEET and who wish to progress into Performing Arts. While NYT delivers the qualification, UCG supports the learners with the funding, bursaries and additional learning support as two-thirds have declared learning difficulties or disabilities. Last year NYT had a 93% achievement rate, with students progressing to university, drama schools, into employment or an internal progression from the Level 2 course to the Level 3 course. In 2026 the college is embarking on an additional scriptwriting project for a similar cohort of students, in connection with Netflix, the BBC, Studio Canal and Urban Myth, where NYT are working in partnership with our English department to weave a script writing project into the GCSE curriculum delivery for those young learners retaking English GCSE, to enhance engagement and attainment. Read more about NYT here.
Track Academy is an award-winning charity that uses athletics, education, and mentoring to empower young people aged 5-25. Founded by Commonwealth Games medallist Connie Henry MBE in 2007, they operate principally out of Willesden Sports Centre (NW10 2XD), and offer programmes, designed by people who care. From homework clubs and CV workshops to mentoring dinners and competitive opportunities, they equip youth with the tools to succeed in school, future careers and life. UCG are proud to offer all enrolled students free access to Track Academy activities. Read more about Track Academy here.
Unloc are a dynamic and invigorating education provider who support schools, colleges and organisations to inspire and empower young people to become changemakers through bespoke and innovative programmes in entrepreneurship, leadership, youth voice and careers and employability. Read more about Unloc here.
The West London Alliance is committed to an enduring programme of collaboration and innovation to improve outcomes for the West London sub-region. They deliver initiatives through working across borough boundaries focussing on the priority areas of Economy & Skills and Social Care & Housing. Read more about West London Alliance here.
UCG works with leading organisations to ensure our services meet high standards of quality, inclusion and professional practice.
The Investors in Diversity Award is recognised as the national equality standard. Providing organisations with a bespoke approach for improving Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement (FREDIE) practices in the workplace. Read more about the Investors in Diversity Award here.
The mission of Living Wage Foundation is to encourage employers to play their part in tackling in-work and post-work poverty and provide a decent standard of living by paying the real Living Wage, adopting Living Hours and Living Pensions as well as wider good employment practices. Read more about the Living Wage Foundation here.
The matrix Standard is the Department for Education’s (DfE) standard for ensuring the quality of the delivery of high-quality information, advice and guidance. Read more about the matrix standard here.