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20 Things You Didn’t Know About The Hub

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The Hub at Doncaster College is celebrating its 20th birthday!

For two decades, The Hub has been at the heart of education and student life in Doncaster. But how well do you really know The Hub?

Here are 20 things you might not know about The Hub.

  1. The Hub has an escalator

Doncaster College was the first college in Britain to have an escalator – helping students and visitors get around the building in a more convenient and easier way.

  1. It cost more than £65 million to build

The Hub was a huge investment in further education, costing more than £65 million to create.

  1. It replaced two former campuses

The Hub brought together facilities from two previous Doncaster College campuses – Waterdale and Church View – creating one major centre for learning in the heart of Doncaster.

  1. The Hub is home to Doncaster’s own University Campus

University Campus Doncaster provides access to university-level study in Doncaster. Through partnerships with universities including Sheffield Hallam University, University of Hull and University of Lincoln, learners can gain recognised higher education qualifications locally.

  1. There’s an aircraft cabin inside

Fancy a flight without leaving Doncaster? The College has an aircraft cabin simulation suite, including a section of aircraft fuselage, giving Travel and Tourism students realistic industry experience.

  1. Healthcare students can train in a simulated environment

The Hub features a health suite simulator, allowing students to develop practical skills in an environment designed to replicate real healthcare settings.

  1. It’s home to an Institute of Technology

The Hub is home to the South Yorkshire Institute of Technology, supporting higher-level technical education and helping learners develop skills for careers in industry.

  1. More than 2,500 people helped build it

The Hub was a huge construction project, with more than 2,500 workers involved in building it.

  1. Students have access to a free gym

Keeping fit while studying? Students at Doncaster College can use The Hub’s gym for free – making it easier to fit exercise around college life.

  1. It’s partnered with Doncaster Knights

The Hub is partnered with Doncaster Knights, allowing talented players to combine education with elite sporting development.

  1. You don’t have to be a student to enjoy The Hub

The Hub isn’t just for learners and welcomes members of the public who can visit facilities including The Waterfront Restaurant, Flowers at The Hub and Salon at The Hub, where students gain valuable real-world experience while providing services to customers.

  1. There are more than 50 species of animals

The Hub’s Animal Care facilities are home to more than 50 different species, including domesticated small mammals, exotic small mammals, reptiles, invertebrates and amphibians.

  1. It’s home to the UK’s biggest FE DofE programmes

The Hub is the home base for DN Colleges Group’s Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme. In fact, DN Colleges Group is the UK’s largest mainstream further education provider of the DofE.

  1. Students and staff from The Hub regularly achieve national recognition

Students and staff from The Hub regularly achieve national recognition, including WorldSkills UK gold medals, RHS Chelsea Flower Show honours and Inter-College Awards.

  1. Princess Anne officially opened The Hub

The opening ceremony took place on December 8th, 2008, after The Hub was fully completed.

  1. Prue Leith opened the culinary facilities

In 2010, renowned chef and food expert Prue Leith officially opened The Hub’s state-of-the-art culinary facilities.

  1. It was a landmark investment in further education

When it opened, The Hub represented one of the largest investments in further education in the UK, demonstrating the ambition to create high-quality facilities for learners in Doncaster.

Then Mayor Martin Winter described The Hub as:

“It is unique, the biggest further education college in the country.”

  1. There are over 700 courses available

From Animal Care, Engineering and Travel & Tourism to Sport, Health, Beauty, Hospitality and more, The Hub offers over 780 courses – meaning there really is something for everyone.

  1. The Hub has helped shape over 100,000 futures

Since opening in 2006, more than 100,000 learners have studied at The Hub, using its facilities, expert teaching and industry links to progress into employment.

  1. The Hub is 20 years old!

And finally, the most important fact of all… The Hub is celebrating its 20th birthday in 2026!

As The Hub celebrates its 20th birthday, we’re proud of everything it has achieved and excited for the thousands of success stories still to come.

Here’s to the next 20 years!