Home / College Services / Accessibility / Estranged Students

Estranged Students

If you identify as an estranged student then we can provide you with extra support.

What is an estranged student?

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.

Stand Alone Pledge

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.

Extra support available

Pre-entry advice

We can help you choose a course that sets you on the right path to reaching your career goals.

Transition & learning support

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.

Academic support

Students at NESCol will have a dedicated Academic Tutor who can support with pastoral or academic issues.

Peer support

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.

Employability

All our students can leave College with a CV, and advice on navigating volunteering and job markets.

Let us know

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.

For Estranged students at Altens Campus, Fraserburgh Campus or the Scottish Maritime Academy your key contact is Aimee Ridgeway: A.Ridgeway@nescol.ac.uk.

For Estranged students students at City Campus your key contact is Lianne Marriott: l.marriott@nescol.ac.uk.

Student Stories

Don’t take our word for it! Find out what our students think about studying at NESCol.

Amber Kordakis

Construction

Carpentry & Joinery Apprenticeship

“I’ve really enjoyed my time at College. The facilities are excellent and it’s good to be able to use machinery and equipment that we don’t have access to onsite. The lecturers are great and because they’ve all come from industry they have a huge pool of knowledge. It’s really helpful to be able to talk through the work I’m doing in my day-to-day job with them. “

Gillian Gray

Business & Management

HND Administration and IT

“I am dyslexic and suffer with my mental health so it was great to be assigned the same support tutor for three years. She was always available to talk to if I found myself in crises and I felt really well supported.”

Poppy Wishart

Music, Sound Production & Drama

HND Music

“My lecturers were just fantastic, I cannot thank them enough for what they’ve taught me but also for how supported they made me feel. Their belief and encouragement of me as a singer songwriter has been invaluable and truly helped build my confidence to bring me to where I am today.”

Abigail Underwood

Music, Sound Production & Drama

HND Acting & Performance

“I’m very grateful to NESCol for all they have given me and being named SQA Award winner is the icing on the cake. I hope that others who have disabilities will take inspiration from my story, I see it as something to celebrate!”

Casey Spriggs

Sport, Fitness & Uniformed Services

HND Fitness, Health & Exercise

“Everyone, regardless of age or background, deserves success. Don’t wait for the perfect moment; if you have a goal, believe in yourself and take that first step.”

Hannah Stenhouse

Travel & Tourism

HND Travel & Tourism

“I really enjoyed the course and College life in general. My lecturers were all very supportive, they really listen to you and were always on hand to provide additional help if needed.”

Roberto Bellini & Jack Gordon

Media, Communication & TV

HND Creative Industries: TV

“The course was absolutely fantastic and the facilities they have at City Campus are excellent. ” – Roberto Bellini

“I learned so much both in terms of theory and practical skills and the fact that I’ve already found related employment is great. “ – Jack Gordon

Katherine Martin

Art, Design & Photography

HND Contemporary Art Practice

“Coming to College turned out to be the best decision I could have made. I grew in confidence, and it really prepared me for university.”

Katie McCafferty & Mandy Mackintosh

Care

HNC Childhood Practice

“Starting College as a mature student was quite daunting at first but I can honestly say I’ve never looked back. ” – Katie McCafferty

“It was a lot of hard work but it genuinely just felt like it was where I was meant to be.” – Mandy Mackintosh

Callum Gerrie

Care

HNC Social Services

“My time at NESCol was a hugely positive experience – both in terms of my qualification and the knowledge, understanding and perspective I gained and the social connections I have made.”