If you identify as an estranged student then we can provide you with extra support.
Estranged Students are students studying without the support of a family network, due to a breakdown in those relationships. Students in this position often have no contact at all with their family or sporadic and challenging contact. Causes of a breakdown of familial relationships could include (but are not limited to): emotional or physical abuse, mismatched expectations about family roles and relationships, or a clash of personality or values. Estranged students do not necessarily have experience of being in care.
If you identify as an Estranged Student then we can provide you with extra support.
For Estranged Students, your contact is Lianne Marriott: l.marriott@nescol.ac.uk.
NESCol has signed the Stand Alone Pledge. The pledge underlines our determination to ensure the specific challenges that estranged students face are acknowledged and acted upon through bespoke support.
We can help you choose a course that sets you on the right path to reaching your career goals.
Our Student Advice and Support Team can help and advise you in making your transition to College as smooth as possible. Once enrolled, we can continue to help you with Study Skills Support and Additional Learning & Assessment Support where required.
Students at NESCol will have a dedicated Academic Tutor who can support with pastoral or academic issues.
The Students’ Association can assist you with peer support and advice on clubs, societies and social experiences that could enhance your NESCol experience.
NESCol also supports the This Is Us student-led community. This Is Us is a dedicated and safe online space for estranged HE students* (and recent graduates) in the UK to connect, share info, arrange meet-ups and more! It’s free, national, and open to all ages & years of study.
All our students can leave College with a CV, and advice on navigating volunteering and job markets.
If you identify as being an estranged student, then it is important that you let us know as soon as possible.
The easiest way to tell us is to do so when filling out an application or funding application for a full-time course or at the point of enrolment on your course. Alternatively, contact the team directly by dropping into your local Student Advice Centre, or by emailing studentsupport@nescol.ac.uk.
Don’t take our word for it! Find out what our students think about studying at NESCol.
“I feel the course has prepared me well for my new role and I’m excited to put my new skills into practice and have the opportunity to do something I love every day! “
“I’m so proud to have achieved my HND and come so far on my journey to achieving my degree. There is no age limit to education and achieving your dreams. If anyone else is thinking about returning to education, I would tell them to go for it!”
“NESCol has made a huge difference for me and I would say to anyone considering retraining to just go for it – you’ll be surprised at what you can achieve and the difference it will make in a short time. I would highly recommend college to others who have moved to Scotland from abroad, especially if you are not sure where to start with gaining qualifications. College is a great because it gives you the option to go straight into work or continue on to further study.”
“So I had a rethink and chose to go to College and get back to a more practical course. I completed the Performing Engineering Operations courses in Manufacturing and then I was offered a CNC manufacturing apprenticeship with Baker Hughes.”
“I knew I would get the chance to gain valuable work experience and get paid at the same time, and as MAs are funded by Skills Development Scotland it meant I could avoid a student loan.”
“College is different to school, it’s a lot closer to real life experience, and I’ve really enjoyed my time at NESCol.”
“I think the course has been a great preparation for the jump from school to university. “
“I am delighted that I have achieved my apprenticeship – it was important to me to gain a work-based qualification.”
“The apprenticeship to me gave me a chance to consolidate my knowledge – applying the theoretical learning to a real work based situation which makes so much more sense to me.“
“I think apprenticeships are the best way to go. They give you the opportunity to gain a great foundation and it’s worked really well for me.”