When does my full-time College course start?
If you are starting a new course it will start
week commencing 12 September 2011 (induction week). We will
contact you beforehand to confirm the arrangements – where to go
and what to bring with you. In the meantime if you have any
queries please call Enquiries and Guidance on 01234 291000.
What is enrolment?
Enrolment is an important and compulsory
part of becoming a registered student at the College. When you
enrol onto your programme of study you will be issued with your
College ID card. You will also sign a Learner Agreement – a sort of
contract – and be issued with a parking permit if required.
Enrolment takes place either just before or at the start of your
course – we will contact you to tell you when you need to enrol and
what you need to bring with you.
What is induction?
During your first few weeks you will be
welcomed to the College and introduced to your fellow students and
the staff. This is called induction and may include some or
all of the following activities:
- Introductory sessions with your Tutor - you will be given your
course timetable and meet your fellow students
- Flying Start – a welcome talk from the Principal and Director
of Student Services during induction week.
- Campus tours and quizzes – finding your way around the College
and getting to know other staff and students
- IT induction – introducing you to our IT facilities and
systems
- Library induction – introducing you to all the Learning
Resources you will need for your course
- Student Services induction – you will meet a member of the
Student Services team and find out about all the help on offer.
They will also make sure you know about any financial support you
may be eligible for.
Is there a Freshers’ Fair?
We always hold a Freshers’ Fair for students
during induction week in September. This is a good opportunity for
you to get some freebies and promotional offers from shops in our
local area, as well as finding out about what’s going on in
College.
What do I need to bring with me on my first day?
We will write to you to tell you what you
need to bring, but it will include the following as a minimum:
- a relevant form of ID – as specified in your letter
- money – cash, credit/debit card or cheque book
- relevant forms of fee waiver evidence if applicable
- pen and paper
- any other stationery, equipment or clothing specified in your
letter.
Do I need to pay tuition fees?
If you are aged 16-18 then the majority of our
courses are free for you to study, although you may have to buy
course equipment such as a uniform or books.
If you are 19+ then there will be tuition and
registration fees for your course. You may be able to get a
concession on your tuition fees – please click here for more information.
Can I get any financial assistance from Bedford College with my
tuition fees?
If you are not eligible for a concession then
you will be liable to pay for your tuition and registration fees.
Unfortunately there is no financial assistance from the College for
fees; however, you may be able to pay by instalments, please
contact us for more information.
Is there any other help with my fees?
You may be eligible to apply for assistance
from a charity or trust. This source of funding is not guaranteed
and you should apply early. For more information contact the
Student Services helpdesk on 01234 291934.
How do I pay for my course?
If you are doing a full-time course and are
liable for any fees, they must be paid at enrolment. If you are
doing a part-time course and are liable for any fees you may
pay:
- in person when you enrol
- over the phone by credit/debit card
- online via our website for some courses
Do I need to buy any kit or equipment for my course?
Some courses require you to have essential kit
or equipment such as uniform, overalls, safety equipment, books or
tools. Your tutor will tell you all about this at your
interview.
What if I can’t afford to pay for the course essentials?
The College has a hardship fund called the
Student Support Fund which may be able help by giving you a
discount on the cost of essential kit or equipment, depending on
your household income. Please click here for an application form or
contact the Student Services helpdesk on 01234 291934.
Can I get any support with childcare costs?
If you are aged under 20 years old then you
can apply to Care to Learn for help with your childcare costs.
Please contact Care to Learn on 0800 121 8989 for more
information.
If you aged 20 or over then you may apply to
the College’s Student Support Fund for assistance with registered
childcare costs. Please be aware that the fund is extremely limited
and you are advised to apply early. Applications are accepted from
1st July 2011, please click here for an application form or contact
the Student Services helpdesk on 01234 291934.
An instalment plan is available for fees is
over £250, for both full and part time courses – please contact us
for more information
Do I get a student discount when I shop in Bedford?
We have negotiated discounts for College
students in a number of shops around Bedford – you just need to
show your ID card. Call into Student Services during
induction week for a list of participating companies.
How do I get to College? Does Bedford College have its own
buses?
The College sites in Bedford do not have their
own buses as they are well served by public transport and by
road.
Our Gas, Plumbing and Vehicle Training centres
at Kempston are easily accessible by a frequent bus service from
the centre of Bedford
Our rural site at the Shuttleworth campus is
served by College buses, which transport students from a wide area
depending on demand.
Students aged 16-18 (up to 25 with Special
Educational Needs) who live more than 3 miles from College may be
eligible for subsidised or free transport passes from their local
authority. The College can advise you what to do.
If you are 19 or older and live more than 3
miles from your College campus, you may be able to get help with
fares or petrol through the Student Support Fund.
All principal College sites have limited car
parking spaces.
Do I have to pay to park at Bedford College once I have my
parking permit?
At the Cauldwell Street site you will
ALWAYS have to Pay & Display.
If you are a daytime student you also need to obtain a free parking
permit when you enrol, to confirm your entitlement to park. You
must make sure that both your parking permit and pay & display
ticket are clearly visible. If you do not, you may receive a
parking fine.
There are designated moped, motorcycle and
bicycle areas at the Cauldwell Street site, which are free! At
other sites parking is currently free.
How do I apply for a College course?
You can now apply online. First, find
the course you want to do on our website. Before you apply,
check you have the qualifications you need to do the course. You
will be asked to create a username and password which will be
emailed to you. You can then apply.
If you prefer not to apply online you can
download a copy of our application form via links & downloads
on the website, call Enquiries & Guidance on 01234 291000 or
email us at info@bedford.ac.uk.
Will I have to have an interview for my course? What will
it be like?
All full-time and some part-time courses
require an interview. This is nothing you need worry about -
it is an opportunity for you and for us to make sure you are
applying for the right course. We will check your qualifications,
including asking you about any exams you are due to take, and find
out from you why you want to come to College and do your chosen
course. We will also give you lots of useful information
about the course, including what it might lead onto, and about the
College in general. We will even send you a checklist to help
you prepare for your interview – it is important that you think
carefully about your goals and interests, and about your reasons
for choosing this course. We would also advise you to think
about the questions you might want to ask us! You will
probably have a one-to-one interview, but there may also be group
information session. For some courses you may be asked to
take part in a practical task or audition – but don’t worry, your
interview letter will tell you exactly what will happen. Your
College interview is your chance to make a positive impression, so
please arrive on time, suitably prepared and dressed.
How will I know if I’ve chosen the right course?
You can try out one of our courses on a
Student Experience Day before you make your final decision about
what you would like to study. Student Experience Days are
offered throughout the year and can be arranged by contacting Ellen
Punter, our Schools and Community Liaison Manager, on 01234 291313
or email epunter@bedford.ac.uk
Everyone who is coming to College to start a
full-time course in September will be invited to our 2 day Taste of
the Action event in the summer, which will give you a chance to
meet students and teachers on your course, and to find out more
about the course and College. This year Taste of the Action
will be held on 4th and 5th July 2011.
Your admissions interview will also give you a
chance to find out more about the course and you will be able to
ask your interviewer lots of questions about it.
If you are still unsure you can make an
appointment with a College careers adviser to talk through your
options to help you make the right course choice. Contact the
Student Services helpdesk on 01234 291934.
If you start your course but don’t feel it’s
right for you, and not what you expected, talk to your tutor and to
the student personal adviser linked to your course. Do this
quickly, as you may not be able to change courses after the first
few weeks of term. You can also ask for a careers interview, to
help you make the right decision.
What can I wear to College – is there a dress code?
Generally, students are free to wear whatever
they like as long as it is not offensive to others. This means that
you cannot wear anything too revealing, no offensive wording or
logos and nothing that may conceal your identity (unless your
religion requires this). However, some courses will require
you to wear specific clothing or uniform, or to follow a department
dress code - you will be told about this at your interview.
Are there any rules at College?
We don’t have lots of rules and
regulations. We do however expect high standards of
behaviour, including attendance and punctuality, and these are set
out clearly in our student code of conduct. As we are
preparing you for your future employment we try to make our code of
conduct as close as possible to what will find in the
workplace.
We are a large College with students of many
ages, nationalities and abilities, and it is important that we
operate in an environment of tolerance and respect. We don’t accept
any form of bullying, harassment or discrimination and have
appropriate procedures in place.
Is there any accommodation at Bedford College?
Bedford College does not have any
accommodation of its own. If you are looking for rental
accommodation we recommend that you look at the property pages in
the local papers or contact local estate agents.
Will I make friends at College?
There are opportunities for you to make
friends before you even start your course! You may meet our
Schools Liaison
team when they come along to your school. They often take
along some of our existing students - Student Champions - who are
always keen to talk about their experiences at College.
You could also attend a Student Experience
Day – this is an opportunity for you to spend a day at College,
shadowing a student who is currently enrolled on the course you are
enquiring about.
Before your course starts, once you have been
offered a place, you will be invited to a two day event called
Taste of the Action where you will meet your tutor and fellow
students to experience a short taste of what your course will be
like.
Once your course starts you will have an
induction programme and your tutor will arrange classes and
activities to help you get to know the other students in your tutor
group.
What if I haven’t made any friends by this point?
Don’t worry – there are lots of other
opportunities for you to meet people!
- Enrichment – sign
yourself up for some of the fun activities taking place throughout
the year. You can find out about the enrichment programme at
our Freshers’ Fair.
- Student Voice – if you would like to have your say on
College life and help to improve things for your fellow students,
come along to the monthly Student Voice meetings.
- Student Legends – volunteer your time at College events,
signing off units of your time to achieve ‘Legend’ status and gain
recognition for your efforts. This will get you talking to people
and enable you to develop a number of valuable, marketable and
transferable skills for future life.
- Student Common Room (Yourspace) – open Monday to Friday, giving
students a chance to relax in their own environment with a kitchen,
television and stereo. This is a great opportunity for you to make
friends from different courses, as the common room is open to all
and is centrally located on the Cauldwell
Street site.
Are there any social activities?
You will have the chance to get involved in
lots of social activities. Some are linked to your course,
such trips and competitions, but we also have a varied ‘enrichment’
programme which gives you an opportunity to meet people from other
parts of the College. The programme varies each year and can
include, for example, sports and outdoor activities or music and
performing arts. But we are committed to giving you the best
experience possible – so if you have an idea or a suggestion for an
event or activity, let Student Services know!
What can I do to get involved with the College?
At Bedford College there is a range of
opportunities for you ‘make your voice count’. You can:
- join the Student Council and help us improve the student
experience
- become a Student Champion and help out at open days or school
visits
- become a Student Governor
- become a course representative and speak on behalf of your
peers
- give us feedback through focus groups and surveys
What is a Student Legend?
The Student Legend scheme is a reward scheme which recognises
contribution to Bedford College. Each time you volunteer to
help out, it is signed off in your log book so that at the end of
the year you can use it as evidence of your achievement.
Will I be able to progress at the end of my course?
- If you are on track to pass your qualification, our
‘progression guarantee’ allows you to move up to a course at the
next level.
- You won’t need to complete another College application form, as
you can arrange a fast-track progression with your tutor or by
speaking with an enquiries and guidance adviser.
- If you’d like to change direction after you’ve completed your
current course, you may be able to study a different course at the
same or next level, depending on the subject. Your tutor, a College
careers or enquiries adviser could help you make the right choice,
so ask for advice.
If I have a problem that is worrying me, who can I talk
to?
Any student with worries or concerns can seek
advice from their tutor or Student Services. If you are a
full-time student aged 16-19 you will also have a student personal
adviser, and you will meet them at the beginning of your
course. If you have a personal issue you can turn to your
student personal adviser for support. They may also be able
to suggest other services that can help you further.
Do you have a Counselling Service at College?
Yes, the service is free and open to all
students. Whatever you say to your counsellor will remain
confidential, unless we believe that either you or someone else is
at risk of harm. Appointments are available throughout the
week, and can be booked directly with a counsellor, by email or
text, or via the Student Services helpdesk.
What will the College do to support my general health and
wellbeing?
We have been awarded ‘Healthy College’ status
in recognition for the support we give our students to develop and
maintain healthy lifestyles. So whether you want to stop
smoking, get more exercise or eat more healthily, we can help!
We also take the safety of our students very
seriously, and aim to create a safe and welcoming learning
environment. If we have any concerns that one of our students
is being harmed or bullied, we have procedures in place for dealing
with the problem.
If I have a problem with my academic work, who can I talk
to?
Your personal tutor will provide all the
academic support you need to ensure you are able to complete your
course successfully. You will meet with your tutor regularly to
discuss any concerns and set targets to help you keep on track.
If I’m unhappy on my course what can I do?
Don’t leave it a long time to talk to someone
about it. Speak to you personal tutor or student personal
adviser, there maybe things that can be adjusted to make your time
at Bedford College more enjoyable. If it is near the
beginning of the course, you may be able to change
courses.
I’m never going to be able to afford all the books I need for
my course!
Don’t worry – we have a well-stocked library
with friendly staff who will help you find all the information you
need. You will have library and IT inductions at the start of your
course to ensure that you know all about what’s on offer. Our
generous borrowing entitlements will allow you to access all the
information you need.
What facilities are available to help me study
independently?
We have generous borrowing entitlements for
our books, journals and DVDs . Almost all items can be renewed if
you need them for longer, by giving us a quick ring or calling in
with your ID card. You can also access computers with Microsoft
Office and all the specialist programs you will need. The library
is open in the evenings in term-time and also during the vacation.
On Wednesday afternoons there are workshops where you can brush up
your study skills and internet searching techniques. We do
not limit the time you can spend on our computers, and we provide
scanner and printing facilities too. Bedford College has an
excellent virtual learning environment – Moodle – with lots of
information relevant to your course.
I prefer to study at home – how can you help?
We have a number of e-books and e-resources,
which are accessible 24/7 over the internet and which have been
chosen with your course in mind. E-resources mean that you are not
dependent on getting all your information from the library during
our opening hours. Of course, e-books can never get mislaid or
accumulate fines, so they have several advantages over traditional
formats! Books are still very important here though, so if you
prefer not to sit at a computer for very long you will still have
lots of resources to use.
The library is far too big to find anything in, so I won’t be
able to cope…
No-one is born knowing how to use a library,
and we understand that it takes time to get used to such a large
collection. Learning Resources staff are happy to help you
learn how to find information quickly and efficiently, a skill
which will stand you in good stead throughout your time at College
and beyond.
What happens if I lose my library book, or get lots of
fines?
First of all, don’t panic! Ask to have a
word, in private if you wish, with a senior member of staff and we
can help you sort things out. If you give us your mobile
number we will send a reminder when your books are due to be
returned, so you shouldn’t get into difficulties.