Royal National College for the Blind

The Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) is the UK’s leading specialist residential college for people aged between 16 and 25 who are visually impaired. With more than 150 years’ experience, the College continues to enable each and every student to achieve their potential and engage fully in their community. RNC's  vision is for a world where  every person with a visual impairment has true equality. 

Students come from all over the UK and further afield. RNC is now proud to be able to welcome international students.

RNC offers a wide range of GCSEs, AS and A2 Levels, BTECs, NVQs and OCRs. It is home to the UK’s first Sports Academy for blind and partially sighted players of football, goalball and judo. The College also offers sports such as cycling, running and archery. It also offers the first VI Cisco Networking Academy in the northern hemisphere. 

Support and teaching are provided by a dedicated and highly skilled team of specialist staff using first class resources and facilities. The College also offers a comprehensive work experience programme, together with full transitional support for students wishing to progress into work or university. 

In addition to gaining valuable qualifications and experience, students learn essential independence and mobility skills, ensuring they have every opportunity to live as independently as possible and achieve their individual goals. 

RNC maintained its ‘good’ Ofsted rating during the last inspection in January 2022 and holds 'outstanding' from Ofsted for its residential and pastoral provision (2018). 

The College campus is fully accessible and facilities include: modern and fully inclusive teaching and learning areas; information technology equipment incorporating a full range of assistive technology; custom designed residences to allow for independent living; the audio media centre dedicated to, radio and music technology studios; and thePoint4, a fully accessible sports and leisure facility with gym.