If you identify as being care experienced then we can provide you with extra support.
We appreciate that starting College is a big step and can bring with it a number of different challenges. However, at NESCol we are proud Corporate Parents, and are dedicated to making your experience a positive, enjoyable and supportive one.
If you identify as being:
We can provide you with extra support.
Focus Groups
If you have told us that you are Care Experienced you will be contacted by the Student Advice and Support Team regularly to “check in” and see if you need any support. We will also be setting up a Focus Group where you will be invited to attend and feedback to us on your NESCol Experience so that we can support you and improve our future service.
We can help you choose a course that sets you on the right path to reaching your career goals.
We guarantee course interviews for our care experienced applicants.
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.
All care experienced applicants will have their funding application prioritised.
All care experienced applicants will be considered for enhanced funding of up to £8,100, depending on personal circumstances and course level.
Need help with your funding application? Follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook for information about our upcoming funding workshops.
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.
All our students can leave College with a CV, and advice on navigating volunteering and job markets.
It is important that you make us aware of your caring responsibilities and/or Care Experienced background, as soon as possible.
Contact the team directly by calling 01224 612091, dropping into your local Student Advice Centre, or by emailing studentadvice@nescol.ac.uk.
For more information, download our Young Carers and Care Experienced Students leaflet.
Don’t take our word for it! Find out what our students think about studying at NESCol.
“I thought I was coming to college for education, but I got so much more than that: friendships, support, independence, guidance and a push when I needed it. I have had such an amazing journey here.”
“Teaching was always something I was interested in but it was important to me to get industry experience first. I was delighted when the lecturing opportunity came up at NESCol and I am now really enjoying my time back at College but on the other side of the fence!”
“The course provides you the skills to communicate whatever it is that you’re trying to sell. It’s been fantastic. It gives you a really supportive environment – especially if you are coming back into the world of education from work. That’s the route that I took and it’s been really fantastic in that regard. But if you’re a school leaver as well, College gives you practical skills alongside the theory that you’re learning, so even if you decide not to go to uni, you’ve got those skills there and you can utilise them to go into work. It’s really, really valuable in that way.”
“The lecturers are industry experienced and maintain a high standard which really gives you that extra push you need as a school leaver. My lecturers went above and beyond to help me in any way they could and I know that they still would today.”
“I found my time at college to be the perfect link between leaving school and starting university. The course was interesting, the assessments were rigorous and gave me the skills to work alone, as well as part of a group, which served me well at university. The lecturers were engaging and treated students as adults which created a good atmosphere for learning.”
“I’m so pleased that I had the courage to return to College, it’s opened so many doors for me”
“I am still in touch with everyone in my College class – we all try and meet up – when we can! The majority of us are all working.”
“University would not have been an option for me without my HND so I will be forever grateful to NESCol for the opportunities it has provided me with. “
“I would definitely recommend NESCol to everyone who wants to study computing. No matter what age, or if this is their first course, or – if like me – you want to change your career. It’s a very friendly environment, well quipped when it comes to computing facilities and – most importantly – with very, very supportive and highly knowledgeable lecturers.”
“When you go into hairdressing at first it may seem very easy. Although you don’t need qualifications it is so much harder than it looks. It’s commitment, it’s hard work, it’s remembering, it’s being creative, it’s always knowing what you want as a finished look. As long as you are prepared for this then I would encourage anyone to go for it.”