City Technology Colleges are are independent schools which charge no fees as their recurrent costs are paid by the DfES and businesses within the private sector. City Technology Colleges specialise in teaching mainly technology based subjects such technology, science and maths.

CTCs also forge close links with businesses and industry and often governors are directors of local or national businesses that are supporting or have supported the colleges.

One example of a CTC is Emmanuel City Technology College in Gateshead.