Student Support

We’ve got some top tips from a few of our existing students and here’s everything they think you should know ahead of your first day:

• Your daily schedule or routine might be different to last term so it’s wise to wake up early and give yourself plenty of time to arrive at the College.
• Make sure you have everything prepared and planned out – whether that’s the equipment you need to bring, your transport to and from the College and any money you think you might need.
• There’s no need to be nervous on your first day or through your first week. The early stages of all our courses are always relaxed. The most important aspect is getting you comfortable and familiar with your surroundings and expectations.
• You will have been sent instructions about the College’s IT requirements ahead of your first day. If you can read up on these before you start your course, it will really speed up the set-up process.
• Being a student at the College gives you much more independence than at school. You’ll be responsible for your staying on top of your own workload and there is no need to call lecturers ‘Sir’ or ‘Miss’ – we just use first names.
• You will have free time on campus and there are plenty of options to keep you busy. We have student common rooms and gyms on each campus and there are lots of clubs and societies you can join.
• You’re free to head off campus and into town but we do offer food and drink options on campus, including Costa Coffee stations. Our canteens and refectories accept cash, card and Apple and Android Pay.
• If you’re coming back to start the second year of your course, it is never too early to think about what you want to do next. Universities will be open for applications for courses starting in 2023 from this October.
• And at the end of the year if you’ve not enjoyed your course or think you’d be better suited studying something different, we’re always happy to discuss transferring to another course.

All students will have received a personal start date and time ahead of the College term.

Students will also have been sent information as to where they need to go once they arrive at their chosen campus and the zone that they will be assigned to.

Students must all head to the main reception at their designated campus where lecturers will meet them and guide them to their first lesson. Timetables will be issued to students once they have started with us.

All students will have been informed of any course-specific equipment they require prior to the start of their course and any additional information on items such as course textbooks will be disclosed by lecturers in the first week of term.

Students are required to supply their own writing materials, so make sure you arrive with pens, pencils and notepads, and anything else you think you might need.

Our campuses are served by the local public transport network and many students get to College by bus or train. For specific details about travelling to each campus, click here.

Travel by bus

Wiltshire Council offers a bus pass to Wiltshire College & University Centre students who are aged between 16 – 18 and who live in Wiltshire and more than 3 miles from the College. The bus pass allows you to make one journey to and from college on days when it is open and costs £821 or a lower rate of £266 if your household income is less than £20,819. To find out more about the options open to you please visit the Wiltshire Council website. If do not qualify for the lower rate bus pass, the full price of £821 is unlikely to be the most cost effective option for your travel. Many of the bus companies offer discounted tickets for students or regular journeys.

Travel by train

Students travelling on the train network and are aged 16 or 17 can purchase a 16 – 17 Saver card for a 50% reduction in their train fares. Students aged 18 and over can purchase a young person’s railcard which entitles them to a 30% reduction in ticket prices. Please be sure to read all terms and restrictions to make sure a railcard is appropriate for your needs.

Further information

The College bursaries can offer financial support to help with the cost of travelling to college. If you live more than 3 miles (walking distance) from college and your household income is less than £35,000, you should apply. For more information, click here.

For students travelling to college on public transport or a dedicated college bus, it is important that you are aware of the rules and guideline that have been put in place to protect you and your fellow passengers. Please read the latest guidance about school and college transport before you travel: click here.

The College holds bursary funds for students who meet the eligibility criteria to provide financial support towards the costs relating to attending college. Applicants are assessed on their individual needs. Applicants must be enrolling on a Further Education Course funded by the ESFA and meet the residency criteria set out in the ESFA Funding Regulations for post-16 provision. Help is also available to students studying university level courses. Bursary funds are limited so priority is given to students with the greatest financial need.

Depending on your financial circumstances, your costs relating to attending college and available funds you may be able to get help towards:

• Travel to and from college on the days you attend college if you live more than 3 miles from college (measured by the shortest walking distance on Google Maps)
• A meal on the days you attend college
• Travel and meals if you are required to attend Work Experience or Industry Placement
• Kit/tools/equipment/course materials
• IT equipment/access
• Required clothing including uniform and protective clothing (PPE)
• UCAS fees and University visits (level 3 students)
• Wiltshire College & University Centre Resource fee
• Educational trips and visits
• Childcare for parents aged 20+
• Parents under the age of 20 should apply to Care to Learn for childcare financial support
• Accommodation at Lackham (Land-based, Agriculture, Animal Care, Motorsport courses at level 2 or 3 only)

To apply for a bursary, click here.

Here at College, the health, wellbeing and safeguarding of all of our students is paramount. Everyone on a full-time course will have an allocated tutor, who will run weekly sessions and 1:1s. These are designed to support and signpost students as needed. During tutorial sessions, students will complete an induction programme where advice and information will be given to ensure other opportunities for students to get the support they need. Our Student President Liam Wedlake will also be on hand to direct students for support.

The College’s designated Safeguarding Lead is Jo Kelly; 07824170018; safe@wiltshire.ac.uk

Each campus also has a designated Deputy Safeguarding Lead, as follows:

• Lackham - Charlotte Hiscock; 07785950421; charlotte.hiscock@wiltshire.ac.uk
• Chippenham - Marsha Mars; 07824753630; marsha.mars@wiltshire.ac.uk
• Trowbridge - Phil Meek; 07795247599; phil.meek@wiltshire.ac.uk
• Salisbury – Mary Stanistreet; 07799201530; mary.stanistreet@wiltshire.ac.uk
• Apprenticeships - Maria Kozak; 07532385409; maria.kozak@wiltshire.ac.uk

Our student support team and tutors are available to talk to and there are also a wide range of charities who can offer support. If you are concerned for yourself or about someone else, please find details of help below:

• childline.org.uk or call free on 0800 1111
• barnardos.org.uk
• samaritans.org or call free on 116 123
• youngminds.org.uk
• nopanic.org.uk
• anxietyuk.org.uk or text 07537 416905
• In an emergency, call 999