Its origins can be traced to a School of Art that was established in 1868, which subsequently merged with Croydon Polytechnic to create the college shortly after the Second World War.

The college provides study programmes, apprenticeships and higher education courses at Croydon University Centre to over 10,000 enrolled students as of 2014, of which 3,400 are full-time.

[10] Croydon College underwent refurbishment and in the summer of 2011 the £33m rotunda was completed and officially opened in April 2012 by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.

The refurbishment included recording studios, a performance hall, a library, social and study spaces, and meeting and conference facilities.

The exterior of the college is made from a structural glass facade with top hung windows incorporated to provide ventilation.

The school counts among its alumni pop star David Bowie, Turner Prize nominees Helen Chadwick and Sean Scully, Sex Pistols band manager Malcolm McLaren, Gollywog author Florence Upton, and Mighty Boosh comedian Noel Fielding.

[12][citation needed] Some of the art school's traditional screen printing, etching, and letterpress equipment has been retained in its refurbished facilities.

It includes plans to provide a pedestrian link between East Croydon station and the Fairfield College site.