William College is aiming for 600 students this year, reports Daisy Miles

A new college offering undergraduate degrees has been established in Stratford, with courses starting this September.

William College, located close to Stratford Bus Station, officially opened its premises a month ago. The building still smells of fresh paint as they add the finishing touches before its first cohort of students arrives.

With four floors and a capacity for 2,000 students, William College currently offers two courses in partnership with Bath Spa University: LLB Law, and Business and Management Law. They hope to branch into criminology, psychology and policing with the support of other universities in future cohorts.

In the first two weeks of admissions, around 230 students have been accepted as the college works towards its target of 600 students in its first cohort.

William College is part of Planet Education Networks (PEN), originating in nearby Poplar. Their colleges aim to help students who do not have qualifying A-levels to access higher education.

Director of PEN Professor Cedric Bell, pictured, said: “A lot of the students who are likely to be attracted to William College will be a little bit nervous about going to a traditional university.

“They’ll be more comfortable in an environment where they feel they’re getting particular support, but also that they’ll be with like-minded people from similar backgrounds and experiences.”

The course aims to be as flexible for their students as possible so they can fit lessons around their busy lifestyles, and encourage their students to work alongside their studies.

Professor Bell said: “We don’t operate a timetable whereby we expect our students to study Monday to Friday, nine to five. That’s not going to work for our student constituency, so it’s a flexible timetable, and that’s one of the attractions we’ll be offering.”

The decision to open the campus in Stratford makes it accessible for an East London catchment area consisting of Tower Hamlets, Newham, Dagenham and Redbridge.

He said: “We recognise that it’s not enough just to offer traditional courses. You’ve got to put in place an infrastructure that will best accommodate the needs of your particular student constituency.

“I have always felt that there is a great interest in law amongst BAME communities and some of the most successful lawyers come from these communities. Therefore we feel that it’s a natural opportunity to harness their skills by giving them this chance.”

The college is also considering cooperation with local sixth forms to attract students, as well as local law firms to help their students find work experience.

Professor Bell encourages local people who want to get in contact to check their website: williamcollege.com. “We’re different,” he says. “We pride ourselves on our uniqueness and our desire to help out young people to change lives and change communities. Seize the moment. Don’t be put off by misconceived ideas about your own lack of confidence or lack of experience.”

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