History of Somerset College

A proud past. A bright future.

The rich history of Somerset College can be traced all the way back to the Bridgwater School of Art, which was established in 1888. What began as a small school with a focus on creativity has grown into one of the South West’s leading providers of further and higher education, with a legacy built on ambition, innovation, and community.

Today, we are proud to be part of the UCS College Group, a network of colleges offering outstanding education across Somerset.

1888 – Bridgwater School of Art

The roots of Somerset College were planted in George Street, when the Bridgwater School of Art first opened its doors. By the 1920s, it had evolved into the Bridgwater Technical School, reflecting the town’s growing need for practical and creative education.

Throughout the 1950s, the College expanded across Bridgwater, with new sites on Mount Street, Queen Street, and Broadway. It was renamed Bridgwater Technical College, before moving to its current home on Bath Road in 1979 and 1983.

1856 – Taunton’s School of Science and Art

The Taunton campus has roots stretching even further back to 1856, when the School of Science and Art was established on Bath Place. By the 1960s, the College had grown to occupy several sites, including the Old Huish Grammar School and Wellington Road, which became its main base by the 1990s.

In 2016, Taunton’s Somerset College merged with Somerset College to form Bridgwater & Taunton College, a multi-campus institution delivering a wide range of academic and vocational courses across the region.

At the same time, we launched University Centre Somerset, offering local access to university-level qualifications.

1921 – Somerset College

Just a short drive away, Somerset College opened in 1921 as a specialist agricultural college. It quickly established itself as a centre for land-based education, supporting Somerset’s rural economy and training future farmers, vets, and conservationists.

In 2004, Somerset College merged with Somerset College, bringing new facilities in Cannington, Paignton, and Yeovil, and expanding the College’s offer to include animal management, horticulture, and much more.

2025 – UCS College Group

In 2025, another exciting step forward took place, as Strode College joined forces with Bridgwater & Taunton College to form the UCS College Group.

This partnership brought together decades of educational excellence and created a stronger, more connected network of colleges working together to serve communities across Somerset.

Timeline

1856 – Taunton School of Science and Art founded
1888 – Bridgwater School of Art opens
1921 – Somerset College established
2004 – Bridgwater and Somerset Colleges merge
2016 – Somerset College merges with Somerset College to become Bridgwater & Taunton College
2016 – University Centre Somerset launches
2025 – Strode College joins, forming UCS College Group

From a small art school to a forward-thinking college group, our history is a story of growth and passion for learning. And it’s far from over.

You could be part of the next chapter.

Tantus labor non sit cassus

Tantus labor non sit cassus.

Minor plus est. Hoc modo oportet nos esse ducem. Nimis multae viae ducunt ut pereant.

Tantus labor non sit cassus.

Minor plus est. Hoc modo oportet nos esse ducem. Nimis multae viae ducunt ut pereant.

Tantus labor non sit cassus.

Minor plus est. Hoc modo oportet nos esse ducem. Nimis multae viae ducunt ut pereant.

Tantus labor non sit cassus.

Minor plus est. Hoc modo oportet nos esse ducem. Nimis multae viae ducunt ut pereant.

Viam praebemus quae ad locum desideratum duceret.

Minor plus est. Hoc modo oportet nos esse ducem.

Nimis multae viae ducunt ut pereant. Expectationes nostro consilio implere debemus.
Tantus labor non sit cassus.
Minor plus est. Hoc modo oportet nos esse ducem.
Nimis multae viae ducunt ut pereant.

Expectationes nostro consilio implere debemus. Tantus labor non sit cassus. Minor plus est. Hoc modo oportet nos esse ducem.

Nimis multae viae ducunt ut pereant. Expectationes nostro consilio implere debemus. Tantus labor non sit cassus.

Minor plus est. Hoc modo oportet nos esse ducem. Nimis multae viae ducunt ut pereant. Expectationes nostro consilio implere debemus. Tantus labor non sit cassus. Minor plus est. Hoc modo oportet nos esse ducem. Nimis multae viae ducunt ut pereant. Expectationes nostro consilio implere debemus. Tantus labor non sit cassus. Minor plus est. Hoc modo oportet nos esse ducem.

Nimis multae viae ducunt ut pereant. Expectationes nostro consilio implere debemus. Tantus labor non sit cassus.

Tantus labor non sit cassus

Minor plus est. Hoc modo oportet nos esse ducem. Nimis multae viae ducunt ut pereant. Minor plus est. Hoc modo oportet nos esse ducem. Nimis multae viae ducunt ut pereant. Minor plus est. Hoc modo oportet nos esse ducem. Nimis multae viae ducunt ut pereant. Minor plus est. Hoc modo oportet nos esse ducem. Nimis multae viae ducunt ut pereant.

Tantus labor non sit cassus

Minor plus est. Hoc modo oportet nos esse ducem. Nimis multae viae ducunt ut pereant. Minor plus est. Hoc modo oportet nos esse ducem. Nimis multae viae ducunt ut pereant. Minor plus est. Hoc modo oportet nos esse ducem. Nimis multae viae ducunt ut pereant. Minor plus est. Hoc modo oportet nos esse ducem. Nimis multae viae ducunt ut pereant.