Courses: Higher Education...

 

Support for HE Students

 

At Chesterfield College we have a dedicated team of staff to help you before the course starts and whilst you are a student:

1. Deciding which course to study
2. Making an application for a higher education course
3. Sorting out loans and grants
4. Advising on additional learning support
5. Helping you if you have a personal problem
6. Providing academic support
7. Supporting your personal development
8. Offering careers advice to help you progress after the course has finished

1. Deciding what course you want to study
Please call into the College Advice and Guidance office for a chat, if you need a more lengthy or confidential discussion you can make an appointment to see one of the College Careers Advisors.

2. Applying for a higher education course
The College Advice and Guidance Team will assist you in the process of making a UCAS application.
For part-time study you need to complete a College application form and send it to the appropriate Programme Manager.

3. Sorting out loans and grants
The College has produced 2 booklets on all aspects of financial support for higher education learners - one for full-time students and one for part-time students. If you have not been given one by your tutor or at interview please refer to the HE part of the website.

Once you have read this information if you are unsure what to do next then please make an appointment to see the Advice and Guidance Manager. In some cases the Learner Support Manager or one of the team can help you to complete an application form (which is now an on-line application process).

The Learner Services Office can also advise on bursary entitlement and advice on support for childcare.

Please be aware when discussing financial issues every situation is different. For many students, particularly mature students with family commitments, the process of making an application and attaching documentary evidence can be quite time consuming, so please try to apply early and be patient.

4. Advising on additional learning support
If you have a disability or learning difficulty you will need to make an application for a Disabled Student Allowance (DSA). You are advised to do this well before the start of the course. For example, you may be entitled to extra support if you have dyslexia, but you will need to provide evidence in the form of a statement. If you do not already have a statement an assessment can be arranged by the Additional Learning Support (ALS) Manager. All students who are applying for the DSA are advised to make an appointment to see the ALS Manager.

5. Helping you if you have a personal problem
All higher education students have a personal tutor. If you have an academic or personal problem this is normally the person that you would go and talk to in the first instance. Sometimes students need to talk to a counsellor who can listen and offer a new perspective on their situation. The College counsellors are based at Infirmary Road and see over 500 students every year. You can normally see someone within 3 working days, evening appointments are available.

6. Providing academic support
The role of your personal tutor is to make sure that you receive appropriate academic support to enable you to complete the assessed work and achieve the qualification. If you are struggling with a particular subject most tutors are prepared to spend a little more time with you explaining things again.

You are also welcome to attend the Directorate ALS workshops where there are support tutors available who can help you check through your work. Clearly these tutors can’t advise you on any technical aspects of your course. Contact the ALS Manager who can advise you where these workshops are held.

7. Supporting your personal development
The Personal and Professional Development (PPD) Module is an integral part of all Foundation Degree courses within the College. The module provides plenty of opportunities for you to develop both academic and work related skills, to explore careers opportunities, brush up your CV and find out more about working in the relevant industry. Many courses include visits, talks from employers and contributions for the College Advice and Guidance/Careers Advisor.

Students who are studying for an HNC/D are offered personal development as part of their tutorial programme.

8. Offering careers advice to help you progress after the course has finished
The College Advice and Guidance/Careers Advisor will, by invitation, come and talk to each group of higher education students, normally in the second year of their course. Individual students are welcome to make an appointment to discuss careers opportunities and progression routes for example onto a final level honours degree.

Many tutors will encourage you to attend University Open Days to discuss progression. For students seeking job opportunities your tutor and the Advice and Guidance/Careers Advisor can organise a mock interview event.