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Frequently asked questions and essential information for students

Finance - Will I have to pay?

If you are under 19 on the 31 August of the year in which you enrol there are no course fees to pay for full-time programmes. However, there is a College service charge that full-time students aged 16 to 18 pay (currently £35).

Do I get paid for coming to College?

If you are a full-time student aged under 19, you may qualify for Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). The amount you will receive is dependent on household income, satisfactory attendance and progress towards achieving your qualification. EMA is worth up to £30 per week.

If you are over 19, you may be entitled to the Adult Learning Grant, which is worth up to £30 per week.

For more information about student finance and funding for courses please call Student Services on 024 7624 3191 or 024 7624 3106.

How many days a week will I have to come to College?

This will vary depending on the course you are studying. Some courses involve a period of time on placement as well as in the classroom at College, and this is counted as part of the learning week.

Will I have to come for an interview?

All applicants for full-time courses will be invited to attend for interview as part of the process of applying. The interview will give you the opportunity to assess your suitability for the course, to discuss course content, and ensure the programme covers your needs.

Why should I take Key Skills?

Employers and universities are looking for people with Key Skills who can:

  • Communicate well
  • Use numbers
  • Use information communication technology (ICT)
  • Get on well with other people

Do I have to take Key Skills?

If you are a full-time student under 19, you will be required to work towards the achievement of Key Skills at relevant levels.

How are Key Skills Assessed?
There are two kinds of assessment for Key Skills:

  • You will need to produce a portfolio containing evidence which show you can do everything the Key Skills unit requires
  • For Communication, Application of Number and ICT you will also need to take an examination, if appropriate

Essential and Key Skills

As a full-time student, you will be assessed to identify your levels of literacy and numeracy. Help and support to improve these essential skills, and to discover more about your personal learning style are available. We can also assist you in a variety of other areas too, for example with Dyslexia, skills development such as spelling and grammar, assignment writing, research and presentation skills, basic maths, exam techniques and portfolio building.

What are Key Skills?

Key Skills are the skills we use in all aspects of our studies, work and everyday life. There are six key skills qualifications.

The main three are:

  • Communication
  • Information Communication Technology (ICT)
  • Application of Number

There are three wider Key Skills and these are:

  • Working with others
  • Improving own learning and performance
  • Problem solving

This article was last updated 30/06/2010