Congratulations on gaining your offer of a place on a course at Bridgend College, commencing this September 2011.  For some students you have made a definite decision abou the course you want to study, have secured an offer of a place at the College and are keen to get started with training for your career.  For others, you may have a few offers for a range of courses and are keeping you options, open, that's ok too!

Whatever your situation, you will be one of over 1,500 new full-time students, who achieve their entry requirements and enrol at Bridgend College this September.

We can't wait to meet you...

 

So What's This Guide All About? 

To help you get organised and have everything in place before you start at Bridgend College, we’ve put lots of useful information together, so that you can get things ready over the summer!

You’ll find information about what you need to buy, forms you need to fill in and when the important deadlines are, as well as the key documents you must bring with you in September, to enable you to enrol officially as a Bridgend College student.

Happy planning!

P.S. Don't forget if you have any questions, big or small, please contact the Student Services' Team

T: 01656 302 302

E: enquiries@bridgend.ac.uk

Term Dates 2011/12

Here are the dates that the majority of our students will attend College, during the academic year 2011/12. Some students have a slightly longer course – apprentices’ etc. You will be advised of any amendments to these dates, by your course tutors. 

TERM	AUTUMN	SPRING	SUMMER
Starts	Monday 5 September  2011	Tuesday 3 January  2012	Monday 16 April 2012
Half term	24 – 28 October 2011	13 – 17 February 2012	4 – 8 June 2012
End of Term	Friday 16 December 2011	Friday 30 March 2012	Friday 6 July 2012

 

Items you need to bring with you

During the first week, you’ll take part in your course induction, it’s when you meet the academic course team and meet others studying the same course as you...our students tell us, they make ‘friends for life’ during these early days in College.

You will also be officially enrolled, as a Bridgend College student.

In order that you can be enrolled and complete your course induction, you w ill need to bring the following items w ith you:

1.    FORMAL IDENTIFICATION – ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: • Birth Certificate • Passport • Drivers Licence (full or provisional) • Bank Card/Credit Card • Your exam results from your last School attended Please note under no circumstances will any photocopies of the above document s be accepted. If you have any problems in finding one from this l ist, get in touch with the Academic Registry Team

T: 01656 302 307

E: EnrolmentEnquiries@bridgend.ac.uk

2.    LOTS OF PASSPORT SIZED PHOTOGRAPHS – (MIN 4) They will be required for things such as: • Bus Pass Application • Course Induction with tutors

3.    Any specialist clothing or equipment your course tutors have requested that you purchase, in advance of September

4.    Note paper, pens and other small items of stationery

5.    A small amount of money, to purchase a drink and some lunch on your first day

6.    Any permitted medication that you require to bring with you, along with a letter detailing your illness

If you have any questions about any other items to bring with you on your first day, contact the Student Services Team

T: 01656 302 302

E: enquiries@bridgend.ac.uk

Good Bridgend College Citizens

Bridgend College prides itself on providing a safe, inclusive and thriving community where learners get an excellent education.  This doesn’t happen by chance; it happens because the members of the community – Learners, Lecturers, Support Staff, Security, Welfare Support and Management all work together to provide it. 

Being a Bridgend College learner is easy for most people, we have few rules because we don’t need many and because everyone understands our ethos – RESPECT and ACHIEVE.  A good Bridgend College citizen respects our college, our staff, our fellow learners but most of all, themselves and this enables everyone to excel in their studies and, after all, that is the primary reason for coming to college!

In order for us to continue to provide this environment there are some issues that we don’t tolerate, quite simply these are:

• Violence
• The sale, use or distribution of drugs or alcohol
• Discrimination

Sometimes learners display other behaviours that have a negative impact on others or the College, and a structured disciplinary procedure exists to address these issues constructively yet firmly.  All learners develop skills to understand behaviours, prejudices and attitudes as well as how to challenge and change them if appropriate as part of your tutorial programme.

You will have signed a contract when you completed your enrolment at Bridgend College, and this outlines what you can expect of the College, and what the College can expect of you as a Bridgend College Citizen

 

Student Welfare

In the life of every student there comes a time when some advice and extra support is welcome to perhaps solve a problem that is not going away, or to get some advice so you can make the best decision for yourself. On both the Bridgend and Pencoed Campuses students can make an appointment or drop in to chat with a Welfare/Child Protection Officer.

The Welfare staff work together as a team to make sure there is always someone available to listen and give the support that is most appropriate. The student Welfare Officers want to hear from anyone who is being bullied or is feeling unsafe so help can be provided immediately. Support and advice can be provided for many other issues e.g. housing, finances, personal and relationship issues and alcohol and substance misuse to name a few. We are committed to supporting students to enable them to fill their potential.

E: welfare@bridgend.ac.uk or text WELFARE to 07624 808926

Safeguarding

Bridgend College has a duty to ensure that procedures are in place to safeguard children and vulnerable adults. The College has a Safeguarding Committee which meets on a regular basis. Further information can be obtained from the Student Welfare Department or the policy can be accessed via the College Intranet.

Student Union

As a full-time student, you automatically become a member of the Students Union. Student Union Cards (NUS Extra Cards), are available, they cost £11 and entitle our students to discounts at many of the UK’s leading retailers including – Top Shop, New Look, McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Odeon, Ticketmaster and Amazon, amongst others.

The College belongs to you, so the Student Union provides an opportunity for students to get involved in decision making by electing to become a StAR (a Student Academic Representative) and helping improve your College experience. As well as studying hard, we hope you’ll have a lot of fun with us.

To check out the full range of activities you can get involved in, please visit www.bridgend.ac.uk/studentsunion

As a full-time student, you automatically become a member of the Students Union.

 

LIVE@EDU

Student Email Portal

This year, all enrolled students at Bridgend College will have access to a college e-mail account. This will be automatically generated, along with your student IT account.

Student e-mail accounts can be accessed by using the following link:- http://outlook.com

 

How to create your student email account –

Your login ID is your Student ID followed by @student.bridgend.ac.uk

Your password is the same as your network password.

Once logged in, you will be asked to create your profile with your own personal information. You will then be able to access your college e-mail account and other important resources such as:

• Free 25GB skydrive to store your files
• E-mail with facilities such as contacts and calendars
• Moodle (Bridgend College virtual learning environment)
• Bridgend College resources such as the website, Facebook, Twitter and Flickr 
•  Microsoft DreamSpark – enables students to download professional Microsoft developer, designer and gaming software for FREE

To download Microsoft DreamSpark, please visit the following website: http://www.dreamspark.com

For information on how to use and get the most out of this resource, visit: http://my.liveatedu.com

NEW for 2011/12

• Students can now register for a wireless account for their mobile devices
• Studentsuperstore.com – where Bridgend College students can buy discounted software.
• Stone (IT provider and computer manufacturer) are offering the opportunity for students to purchase IT equipment on a monthly basis.

 

Travelling to and from College

1) Who is eligible to receive free/subsidised transport to and from the College?

If you live more than two miles walking distance from your campus of study and you enrol on a full time further education course, you are entitled to free/subsidised transport to and from the College. 

You can either apply for a bus pass or apply to claim for travel expenses (see website for details)

If you are successful in your application to claim for travel expenses, you will only be reimbursed up to the value of the cost of an equivalent bus pass for your journey.

2) How can I apply for transport?

To apply for transport, you will need to complete the College’s Student Transport Application Form.  Depending on your age and where you live, you may also be required to complete additional application forms. (see website for more information)

If you are applying for a bus pass (valid for one academic year), your home to College travel is free, however it will be subject to an administrative charge as follows:

If you are applying for a bus pass...

Anytime during the Autumn Term (i.e. September to December)

Bus Pass Expiry Date: End of June 2012

Administrative Charge Payable: £45

Anytime during the Sprint Term (i.e. January to April)

Bus Pass Expiry Date: End of June 2012

Administrative Charge Payable: £30

Anytime during the Summer Term (i.e. May to June)

Bus Pass Expiry Date: End of June 2012

Administrative Charge Payable: £15

The administrative charge should be paid at reception and can be made by cash, Cheque (with guarantee card), Debit card, Access or Visa.  Please ensure that you retain receipt of payment as this will need to be provided to Student Services as proof of payment.

Permanent bus passes will not be issued until payment and the necessary documentation has been received, which must be before Monday 26^th September.

•   If you lose your bus pass you are required to inform the College immediately and will need to pay a non-refundable £5.00 replacement fee.
•  If you are issued with a bus pass you will not be eligible for a Bridgend Campus Car Park Card.

Refund Policy

Where a student has paid the administrative charge and withdraws from the course, refunds will be given provided that the student returns the permanent bus pass to Student Services.  Refunds will be given as follows: -

If you withdraw from your course...

Anytime during the Autumn Term (i.e. September to December)

Refund: £30

Anytime during the Spring Term (i.e. January to April)

Refund: £15

Anytime during the Summer Term (i.e. May to June)

Refund: None

Students at Weston House

Weston House students will be asked to choose their travel option prior to starting at the college. 

The College will operate shared minibuses to and from College on a Friday afternoon and Sunday evening, which will be organised and paid for on your behalf.

However, if you feel that your son/daughter/person in your care will be unable to travel to and from College on a shared minibus, we would ask you to organise your own transport on a Friday afternoon and Sunday evening.  In this instance, you will be able to claim a mileage allowance. 

Further information on the procedure for claiming back expenses is available on our website or by contacting Student Services on (01656) 302 359.

 

Students with Additional Needs

If you are a student with additional needs and enrol on a full time further education course, you may be entitled to receive some form of discrete transport assistance to and from the College; your age and where you live being the criteria that determine what assistance you receive.

If you would like to find out more about the discrete transport assistance available to you, please contact:

Caroline Wheeler

Customer Services Officer (Transport)

T: 01656 302359

E: cwheeler@bridgend.ac.uk

Car Parking

Parking is very restricted at Bridgend Campus, and we encourage you to use alternative means of transport due to this and environmental concerns.

Parking @ Bridgend Campus

Limited parking available with only 300 spaces for staff and students and access to the student car park is through a set of automatic barriers. Only students, who have not been issued bus passes, are not receiving funding for transport and live more than two miles from the College are eligible for a limited number of car parking permits which you can apply for at Bridgend Reception.

Parking @ Pencoed Campus

Both students and staff have access to the rear car park at this campus. There are currently no automatic barriers in Pencoed and no car parking permits are in operation at present.

Parking @ Queens Road Campus

Both students and staff have access to car park spaces at the front and side of the main campus building. There are currently no automatic barriers in Queens Road and no car parking permits are in operation at present.

Most Frequently Asked Questions

1) When does term start?

Monday 5^th September, although certain courses may differ and you will be told this in a letter from the College. If you don’t receive a letter telling you otherwise, please come in on Monday 5^th September.

2) What time does College start on Monday 5th September?

You are expected to arrive by 9am. You will receive a letter telling you exactly where to go. If you don’t receive a letter come to Main Reception.

3) Do students get an induction?

All full time students receive an induction in their first week. The induction will cover:

• Welcome from the Principal
• How Student Services can help you
• Information (from our Student Welfare Coordinator) including help and advice available whilst at College
• Information available from Careers Wales
• Health and Safety whilst at College
• How to join the Student Union and become a Student Representative
• Sign the Bridgend College ‘Code of Conduct’

   4) Do we have to bring anything with us?

   On your first day you will be expected to have a pen and paper for notes, plenty of passport sized photographs and some money for your lunch. You will be informed by your course tutor what you will need for the rest of the week.

5) Where do I catch the bus to get to College?

The College is currently in the process of renewing all contracts relating to student transport; therefore we are unable to confirm specific arrangements for academic year 2011/12 until this process has been finalised.

Information regarding bus routes and what you are required to do on the first day of term will be available mid-August. Please contact Caroline Wheeler, Customer Services Officer (Transport), T: 01656 302359, E: cwheeler@bridgend.ac.uk

6) Can I smoke in College?

No, all College Campuses are Smoke Free Zones. We ask all students who choose to smoke outside the campuses to respect our neighbours and their properties.

7) Can my child attend the College Day Nursery?

There are places at the College Day Nursery, although they fill up fast. You are advised to contact the Day Nursery Team as soon as possible. If you require help with childcare costs you will need to complete a Student Access Fund form.

Contact the Day Nursery Manager, Michelle Morgan-Moody, T: 01656 302241

To request a Student Access Fund form T: 01656 302484

8) If I go on a placement, do I need to pay to be checked by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)?

If you are on a placement which involves you caring for children or vulnerable adults it is likely you will need to pay a fee of around £32 for your own CRB check.

If you are on a 2 year course, it is likely that you will need to pay for a CRB check in each year of the course.