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Black Mountains College

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United Kingdom
Talgarth, Wales
Black Mountains College

Connecting nature, art, science and technology to transform society for future generations. We believe our future can be positive and sustainable.

Creating a future in which nature and human societies thrive through outdoor learning with positive social and ecological outcomes. Black Mountains College was founded as a direct response to the climate and ecological emergency.

Education is central to understanding our current predicament and preparing for a different kind of future. Everyone has the right to a stable climate, and we must le

arn to live within planetary boundaries. Our ways of living and working must respect the diversity of life on earth and regenerate cultures and ecosystems. Addressing the root causes of climate and ecological breakdown means grappling with questions of justice and equity, of exploitation and domination of nature and humans alike. Building an ecological future based on the finite resources of the planet necessarily involves tackling issues of equity and distribution of those resources. More than ever the universal human right to education is vital to allow us to understand and prepare for the changes to come.

Our Courses:

Our vocational courses are free, fully funded by the Welsh government. We offer:
- Level 1 NVQ Land-Based Studies
- Level 2 NVQ Regenerative Horticulture
- Level 2 NVQ Nature Restoration
- Level 2 NVQ Forestry & Arboriculture
- Level 2 NVQ Sustainable Coppicing & Greenwood Trades
- Level 3 NVQ Sustainable Coppicing & Greenwood Trades
- Level 3 NVQ Regenerative Horticulture
- Level 3 Traineeship Regenerative Farming & Agroecology
- BA (Hons) Sustainable Futures: Arts, Ecology and Systems Change.

Courses take place at either our Talgarth or Treherbert site.

Our degree programme BA (Hons) Sustainable Futures: Arts, Ecology and Systems Change, has been carefully designed in partnership with Cardiff Metropolitan University to foster confidence, creativity, critical thinking and emotional intelligence. An interdisciplinary programme combining a grounding in theories of change, creative practice based on artistic methods, ecological thinking, political economy and sociotechnical systems.

We also offer a variety of short courses in practical disciplines, and more in-depth explorations of system transformation. We hold one-day workshops, residential courses and online webinars. Our 120-acre farm campus near Talgarth in the Brecon Beacons National Park aims to be a model of innovative lifelong learning, a catalyst for a local circular economy and a pioneer of agro-ecological practice.

Contact us on [email protected] or visit our website www.blackmountainscollege.uk for more info!

03/09/2026

FREE Level 2 + 3 Courses at BMC 📣

🌱 Start in Sept 2026
🎓 Fully funded tuition (UK residents)
📍 Talgarth, Wales

Now more than ever, we need the next generation of land stewards. Are you ready to with work with nature?

Our courses combine practical outdoor learning with the knowledge and skills you need to build a meaningful career in the land sector.

There are a few final places available for our year-long courses:
〰️ Nature Restoration Level 2 + 3
〰️ Horticulture Level 3
〰️ Forestry and Arboriculture Level 3

⏰ Deadline Monday 7th Sept, 5pm
🔗 Apply here: https://blackmountainscollege.uk/study/further-education/

01/09/2026

What happens when students don't just learn about plants, but grow something that lasts? 🌿

A group of students across various courses chose to create a medicinal herb garden at Troed-yr-Harn with support from herbalist Celia. Today, it's thriving with plants including marshmallow root, meadowsweet, St John's wort and many more - and next year's students will continue to build on their work.

But the impact didn't stop there.

Inspired by the garden, one student developed a business idea called ‘Sage Advice’, offering natural herbal products such as plantain bite and sting balm, elder leaf ointment for bruises and muscle aches, and botanical lip balms. The idea also includes educational resources to help people safely identify and use medicinal plants. 🙌

Practical projects can become the foundations for future careers, businesses and community impact! 💫

28/08/2026

We asked our first year degree student, Liz, why she chose Black Mountains College and what made BMC the right fit for her🌿

If you’re looking for an education rooted in sustainability, creativity, real-world action and be surrounded by people who want to make a difference, maybe your next chapter starts here👇

27/08/2026

📣 Exciting Opportunity to Collaborate in Talgarth

Are you looking for a space for your enterprise to flourish?

BMC is offering a sublet on part (or all!) of our Ennig Office space in Talgarth Square for an aligned individual or organisation.

We’re inviting proposals from people who share our commitment to sustainability, community resilience and local, circular economies 🌱

We are also open to collaboration on retail opportunities such as books from our reading list, art supplies and tools for students, BMC merchandise or crafts made by our students.

There are two spaces within the office building, one of which would continue to be used by BMC team in the short-medium term depending on the arrangement.

Rental target is £585 per calendar month (excluding business rates if applicable).

Send us an expression of interest, or ask any questions, via email to [email protected]
〰 Tell us who you are
〰 A brief proposal
〰 Share any relevant links

26/08/2026

Change in Practice in our diploma courses makes BMC unique: students don't just complete assignments - they work on real-life projects that have lasting impact, develop real enterprises, and leave with ideas that continue beyond college.

Some of this year's ventures included:

🌱 Regenerative Shift – a year-long coaching programme inspired by seasonal cycles.
🌸 Botanical Bouquets – sustainable floristry.
🏡 Community-Led Housing – tackling rural housing affordability.
🪾 Handmade Crafts – Hand crafted chestnut wood products, including gates, fencing and roofing tiles made from hand split shakes, made from sustainably coppiced chestnut. (Chestnut was chosen due to its high tanning content and the fact it doesn’t rot)
🌳 Hazel Grove Co-op – restoring coppice woodlands while improving biodiversity and creating inclusive employment.
💧 Wild Waters – restoring canals and rivers with local communities, focusing on the boat dwellers expertise.
🍎 Apple Juice – a homemade apple juice business
🎵 Gŵyl Ennig Festival – an exciting local community-focused festival that will celebrate the unique and thriving culture of Talgarth - its history, food, arts and music.

We'll be delving deeper into some of these fantastic projects over the coming weeks 🌞

23/08/2026

☀️ Summer Workshops in RCT ☀️

Huge thanks to everyone that took part in our three summer workshops in Rhondda Cynon Taf! We're delighted that so many people shared our curiosity and enthusiasm for reconnecting with the natural world.

🍄 Mushroom Growing
17 of you joined us at Meadow Street Community Garden in Pontypridd to learn how to grow mushrooms with facilitator Sam. Everyone came with different experience levels, and together we learned the practical elements of how to grow Blue Oyster mushrooms at home.

🌱 Plant Folklore Walk
Tutor Jay led many of you through Barry Sidings Park to explore local plants and learn how we can take better care of our local wild spaces. We learned how an oak tree provides habitat for about 2,300 different organisms!

🦇 Bats and Evening Sounds Walk
Using special bat detecting equipment, guides Alex and Ethan from Craig y Rhondda helped us tune into the world of bats late on a July evening at Ynysangharad Park in Pontypridd. We spotted several pipstrelle and soprano pipistrelle bats that emerged to feed!

20/08/2026

EFC 2026 🏕️

This year was an incredible week bringing 20 young people to Talgarth to explore natural building and to live in community with each other.

Louise introduced us to earth-rich cob, a material best mixed with our feet! We learned about the possibilities of building with materials dug from the ground, right here on site, and created our own mini cob houses.

We were also explored vernacular building design with Ed who led a practical session building 1:1 wall mock-ups, using different materials and insulation.

In between workshops, we helped prep delicious meals with Eadie from TwoTreesCatering, we saw sunrise from the peak of surrounding hills, we dipped in freezing cold rivers, we danced, laughed and shared our hopes and dreams.

We also faced challenges. Getting to know new people is daunting, socialising and learning new things is tiring. Camping is physically challenging and nights can be cold! We had to learn how to sustain our energy and to live in close proximity – together we created group agreements and held regular check-ins that helped us work together as a newly formed community.

Each year BMC is energised by the curiosity and spirit that young people bring to their experiences. We can’t wait for next year 🎉

Thank you to everyone who played a role in making EFC 2026 happen!

16/08/2026

Your university experience doesn’t have to happen in a city🌿

Imagine finishing a day of studying and stepping straight into a community where you can get involved, meet people and actually feel part of the place you live.

From local events, festivals and talks to community groups, clubs, volunteering, creative projects, outdoor activities and opportunities to get involved with life in the town, there’s always something happening and plenty of ways to find your people! 🥾🌱🎶

Instead of getting lost in the crowds of a big city university, you can become part of a real community - building relationships with other people, discovering the surrounding landscape and contributing to the place you'll call home.

It’s a university experience with room to breathe, room to explore and room to make a difference ⭐

A quick reminder that applications are still open for September 2026! Read more about our degree course - https://blackmountainscollege.uk/study/higher-education/

📍 Talgarth, Wales

Incredible photos of our beautiful town by Jet Productions📸

14/08/2026

FREE Level 2 + 3 Nature Restoration Courses 🦋

📣 Final places remaining
🌱 Start in Sept 2026

There are a few final places available for our year-long courses in nature restoration!

Are you ready to work with nature, restore habitats and help tackle the climate and biodiversity crises?

Now more than ever, we need the next generation of nature stewards 🦫

We offer both Level 2 + 3 Nature Restoration courses, combining practical outdoor learning with the knowledge and skills you need to build a meaningful career in conservation and environmental restoration.

🎓 Fully funded tuition (UK residents)
📍 Talgarth + Treherbert

Places allocated on a first come, first serve basis. Apply here: https://blackmountainscollege.uk/apply/

13/08/2026

What a day! 🎓☀️

Black Mountains College Graduation 2026 was definitely one to remember. With the wonderful Angharad Wynne joining us as our guest speaker, we came together to celebrate our brilliant Further Education graduates and pioneering degree graduates.

It was the largest graduation we’ve ever hosted, and the atmosphere at the farm was truly wonderful. There were plenty of proud moments, lots of laughter, and thankfully, the sun was shining! 🌞

A huge congratulations to the Class of 2026. We’re so excited to see where you take your ideas, energy and vision next. 💚

Address

Unit 3 Great House Barn, New Street
Talgarth
LD30AH

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://www.blackmountainscollege.uk/

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