Founded in 1978, the college is for the education and training of men and women who are without formal qualifications and are seeking to return to learning.It is set in the only Grade I listed landscape in South Yorkshire, Wentworth Castle Gardens.[3] The college is in partnership with in excess of 100 stakeholders including: The National Trust, Barnsley Museums, Local Authorities, Jobcentre Plus, Work Programme Providers, Community Groups, Children's Centres, Criminal Justice Services, Drug and Alcohol agencies, Mental Health providers, Carer Support Groups, the Voluntary Sector, the trade union movement and universities.Degree and post graduate qualifications (in teaching), taught at the college, are awarded by the University of Huddersfield.[6][7] The Northern College is an academic venue which hires out its facilities for conferences, workshops and residential summer schools.