Who We Are.
Warnborough College was founded in 1973. We are an accredited college offering a range of vocational courses, degree pathways, and language studies. We work with academic and vocational partners around the world, and also offer course creation, validation and certification services.
Our History.
Foundation.
Warnborough College was founded in Oxford in 1973. It created an opportunity for visiting American students to experience the Oxford Socratic method of learning. As the College grew, we expanded our offerings to take other international students.
The College was fortunate to have plenty of support. Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher wished us well for a successful future. Sir Christopher White, Bt., the Lord Mayor of Oxford, and other dignitaries spoke at the inaugural reception held at Rhodes House (Oxford).
Inaugural Sponsors.
The inaugural sponsors included the Presidents of Duke University, the Catholic University of America, Hampshire College, Bradford College, Hobart and William Smith Colleges; the Chancellors of North Carolina State University and the Claremont Colleges; the Bishops of the Dioceses of South Carolina, California and Western Massachusetts; and the President of the National Council of Churches of America.
The College moved into its campus at Boars Hill in 1976. The campus was the former home of the Bishop of Oxford and the celebrated scholar, Gilbert Murray.
1980 - 1994.
During the 1980s and 1990s, Warnborough expanded its facilities and programmes. Students came from UNESCO scholarship programmes, government schemes, and diplomatic exchanges. Our International Summer Schools (ISS) were launched and proved to be very popular.
In 1985, we launched a study abroad programme in Australia. In 1987, the Archbishop of Canterbury authorised the appointment of the Rev’d Dr Richard Martin as Honorary Chaplain to Warnborough.
Our historic campus at Boars Hill reached its capacity by the early 1990s and was sold before the college relocated to London in 1996, where we focused on burgeoning distance learning courses.
1997 - 2023
In 2000, we made Canterbury our home, and officiated our world Headquarters in 2010. We continue to offer over 600 courses by distance learning, and bolster that with our onsite courses and bespoke programmes. We work with academic partners and learning centres to bring our unique education to students around the world. We have participated in cooperative projects such as those funded by the Erasmus+ programme.
50 Years and Counting
In 2023, we celebrated our 50th anniversary. We will continue to develop and grow, with our students and partners, hopefully for the next 50 years.
Watch the commemorative videos below to learn more about us.
Mission and Vision
Warnborough prizes its independence and its international, multi-cultural and multi-racial student body and faculty. Warnborough believes in forging links between academic disciplines, between the world of learning and the world of work, and between nations, so many of which are represented by its culturally-heterogeneous student body. It is on the basis of these principles and values that Warnborough provides its special education.
Warnborough assures equal opportunity for all qualified persons without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or veteran’s status, in the admission to and participation in its programmes and activities.
Academic Freedom
A commitment to academic freedom.
An Open Mind
A disciplined exploration of ideas.
Good Communication
Rational discourse, clear thinking, and articulate self-expression.
Tolerance and Understanding
A tolerance of, and an appreciation for intellectual and cultural differences in a spirit of global awareness and responsibility.
Global Outlook
Fostering international understanding through mutual co-operation among all students.
Accreditation and Recognition.
Warnborough College is committed to peer review, and quality assurance for its academic and management standards. Warnborough College is accredited by these UK government recognised bodies:
Warnborough College holds UK Accreditation from ASIC (Accreditation Service for International Schools, Colleges, and Universities) with Premier Status for its commendable Areas of Operation.
ASIC Accreditation is a leading, globally recognised quality standard in international education. Institutions undergo an impartial and independent external assessment process to confirm their provision meets rigorous internationally accepted standards, covering the whole spectrum of its administration, governance, and educational offering. Achieving ASIC Accreditation demonstrates to students and stakeholders that an institution is a high-quality education provider that delivers safe and rewarding educational experiences and is committed to continuous improvement throughout its operation.
About ASIC: One of the largest international accreditation agencies operating in 70+ countries, ASIC is recognised in the UK by UKVI – UK Visas and Immigration (part of the Home Office of the UK Government), is ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management Systems) Accredited and is a Full Member of The International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE), a member of the BQF (British Quality Foundation), a member of the International Schools Association (ISA), and an institutional member of EDEN (European Distance and E-Learning Network).
Warnborough College’s courses in psychology and counselling are accredited by the ACCPH.
Accredited Counsellors, Coaches, Psychotherapists and Hypnotherapists (ACCPH) is an independent professional body and register for the above professions. All Warnborough courses in psychology and counselling are accredited by the ACCPH and allow holders to apply for full ACCPH membership.
UKPRN: 10009515
The UK Register of Learning Providers is a ‘one-stop’ portal to be used by government departments, agencies, learners, and employers to share key information about learning providers. The UKRLP allows providers to update their information in one place and share this across agencies such as the Skills Funding Agency, the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and UCAS.
