Basingstoke College of Technology

About the College

Student Zone

The Student Zone at BCoT is based in the Lower Conocurse on the North Site, bringing together

• Student Welfare
• Careers & Advice and Guidance & Connexions
• College Nurse
• Student Union
• Enrichment Activities
• and more.....

Travel

The college negotiates travel discounts on a yearly basis and provides a subsidy for students who travel to BCoT by bus or train. Currently the cost of travel to college, by bus is £405 or train is £417.15 per year.

Accomodation

The Further Education Residential Bursary Scheme is designed to help students access education that is not available within reasonable daily travel of their home.

For more information go to www.dfes.gov.uk/financialhelp or call 0800 121 8989.

Care to Learn

The government offers up to £160 per week to be spent on registered childcare if you are a parent under 20 as at 1 September.

For more information go to www.dfes.gov.uk/caretolearn

Learner Support Funds

Some funding is available for students in genuine financial difficulty. These include short-term help with accommodation costs, childcare costs, special equipment/clothing, field trips and visits and consumable materials.

For more information contact Student Welfare on 01256 306394 or studentwelfare@bcot.ac.uk.

Adult Learner Grants

If you are 19 or over you may be eligible for an ALG – a grant of £10, £20 or £30 per week, depending on your income and previous level of education.

Contact Student Welfare (01256 306394) or student.welfare@bcot.ac.uk for more details.

Counselling Service

Whether you have a problem or are simply in need of someone to talk things through with, why not make an appointment to see one of the counselling team? The service is free of charge and given in strict confidence.

Hampshire Connexions

Hampshire Connexions is a free, confidential service providing young people aged 13-19 (or up to 25 with learning difficulties or other disabilities) with information, advice and guidance on careers and employment matters as well as offering intensive support on a wide range of personal issues including relationships, housing and finance.

Qualified careers advisers and personal development advisers are in college every week, so if you want to talk to someone about what’s going on for you, plan your next steps or take control of your future, make an appointment to see an adviser – go on it’s easy!

Appointments can be made via your tutor or by email connexions@bcot.ac.uk.

Alternatively you can simply drop in to the Connexions office (inside Student Services) by the Lower Concourse on the North Site and make an appointment in person.

Fees for students aged 19+

If you are aged 19 on or after 31 August 2010 you will be required to pay for your programme of study. Details about fees are provided on the course information sheets and will be included with the joining instructions for enrolment.

Details will be provided at Advice and Guidance sessions and concessions may be available.

Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

EMAs are payable to full-time students where household incomes are below £30,810. It comprises a weekly payment for attendance at college plus extra bonuses for coursework and good progress. Forms are available from your school.

For more information go to www.dfes.gov.uk/ema

Buddies

BCoT Buddies are second year students who have volunteered to introduce and support new students to the college and student life.

New students will be introduced to a Buddy in their subject area. You can choose to meet with your Buddy on a regular basis during the first term and then stay in contact until Easter.

Careers

Impartial information and advice is available to all students. Every effort is made to ensure that you enrol on a programme that is right for you, with guidance continuing whilst you are at college. The college has a Careers Education programme that is designed to meet the needs of all students.

We have strong links with local universities through compact arrangements, visiting their open days plus a visit to a Higher Education Fair.

We have a well-stocked careers library and access to a number of careers and Higher Education software programmes. For more information pop into the careers office in the Lower
Concourse or call on 01256 306560.

Post college advice and guidance

After you have left college you can still receive advice and guidance in a range of
areas from finance to careers. Contact Student Services for further details.

Reporting Arrangements

If you are a full-time student under 18, BCoT will keep your parent(s)/guardian(s) informed of your progress and performance. If you reach 18 during your course we will continue to do this unless you specifically ask us not to.

If you are sponsored by an employer or a learning provider sponsors your training, BCoT will usually inform them of your progress and performance.

Aim Higher

Another successful year for BCoTs Aimhigher Ambassadors ended with a final certificate presentation at the Awards Ceremony. Ambassadors were rewarded for their achievement over the year and as some prepare for university in September, others are looking forward to returning to BCoT to continue their study.

The Aimhigher Ambassadors and BCoT Buddies have had a superb year helping the college to raise aspirations and achievement of fellow students including year 10 and 11 pupils from around Basingstoke.

Assisting with BCoT taster days, visits to local feeder schools and providing help at BCoT information evenings, Aimhigher Ambassadors have provided a valuable service to the college and their fellow students. The Aimhigher programme has enabled students to gain fantastic experience, working with fellow students from across college whilst at the same time having fun and working on their own self confidence.

Individual Learning Plans

These will help you and your tutors know exactly where you are with your programme. Study support workshops will assist you with assignment planning.

Personal Tutors

As a full time student you will be part of a tutor group that meets every week. You will have a personal tutor who will see you regularly on a one to one basis to review your progress, monitor attendance and provide support during your time at college.

Learning Development

All students are invited to see whether any extra help may be needed in Maths and English. We will carry out a skills review, offer one-to-one tuition and provide you with all the support you need to ensure you achieve the highest possible grades. Our Key Skills classes will help you develop in your full-time programme of study.