Lincoln College is the largest educational institution in the county with around 18,500 students of whom 2,300 attend full time. Lincoln College consists of two separate colleges. The largest is in Lincoln, where the facilities and services match the wide range of programmes available. Gainsborough has a purpose-built College in the town with easy car parking and a friendly atmosphere. Students come to College for a variety of reasons and from all walks of life. Some are school leavers who are looking to gain the qualifications and practical skills that will earn them a place at University or get them into a job. Some are people whose skills have been outdated by modern technology and they need to get up to date qualifications. Some are parents who have brought up a family and now are returning to learning and want to brush up skills or learn new ones. Many people come to College because they simply want to prove to themselves that they have the capability to achieve even after many years away from formal education.