Preston’s College

Higher Education

STUDENT HANDBOOK

In Partnership with

Academic year 2015-2016

Contents

Introduction

Section 1: Introduction to the Course

1.1 Introduction to the Course

1.2 Introduction to the Course Team

1.3 External Examiner

1.4 Aims of the Course

1.5 Course and module Structure

1.5 Course Learning Outcomes

1.6 Module Descriptions

1.7 Workbased Learning and Work Experience

Section 2: Study Support

2.1 – The InZone

2.2 Learning Zone Assistants

2.3 - VALNOW

2.4 E- Learning Facilities

Section 3 : Support For Students

3.1 – SEND

3.2 - Student Services

3.3 - The Learner Voice – Have Your Say

3.4 - Student feedback

3.5 - The Student Council

3.6 - The Students Union. (SU)

3.7 – Complaints and Compliments

3.8 - The Student Charter

3.9 – Conduct

3.10 - Attendance

Section 4: Progression

Section 5: Assessment

5.1 – Assessment

5.4 – Extenuating Circumstances

5.5 - Assessment Boards

5.6 - Cheating, plagiarism, collusion or re-presentation

Section 6: Health and Safety

Section 7: Data Protection

Introduction

We are delighted to welcome you to Higher Education at Preston’s College. The purpose of this handbook is to provide you with a comprehensive and user-friendly guide to Higher Education at the College in conjunction with our partners.

It offers a range of practical information that explains what you need to do in order to succeed, together with information about the range of support at your disposal.It also outlines what the college'sexpectations are of you.

The College has an inclusive,diverse and friendly environment,and we encourage independenceand responsibility in all ourstudents, while giving you thesupport you need, when you needit. College can be your stepping stone to a great new life and we will do everything we can to ensure that you get the training and qualifications you need.

Whatever course you study, you will get first class teaching and support from staff who really care and want to help you do well. Your commitment is equally important and we expect you to attend regularly and punctually and to make the most of the many opportunities that Preston’s College will provide.

This Handbook should be read in conjunction with the Academic Regulations and, where appropriate, with programme documentation, student handbooks.

If there is any information you can’t find in the handbook – just ask. We’re here to help.

Lis Smith

Principal and Chief Executive

Section 1: Introduction to the Course

Please refer to UCLAN Partnership handbook for specific course details

Section 2:Study Support

2.1 – The InZone

Our state of the art Learning Zone is on two floors within the In Zone, with space to work, quality resources and support for learning outside the classroom. Books and other resources are in subject areas throughout the upper floor. Our self-issue kiosks enable you to borrow and return your books and you can access our online resources 24/7!

We have space for class, group and individual work, relaxed low seating and silent spaces to suit your way of learning. Most areas are drop-in but to ensure a space, book ahead (online or in the Learning Zone). There is also an area for the exclusive use of higher education students.

The main computer area is on the lower floor, but PCs are available through the entire Learning Zone (over 100 altogether), with a suite of MACs on the upper floor. They are available for drop-in but if you prefer to plan ahead, you can book a computer for a time to suit you. Feel free to bring in your own laptop, tablet or smart phone. You can also borrow our laptops or tablets to use in the Learning Zone. There are a range of printing services and you can top up your printing account.

Our Learning Zone team is always on hand to help with using our resources and services - researching, using e-books and other information, whilst helping you to develop your own independent study skills.

Term-time opening hours

Monday08.00-18.00

Tuesday08.00-20.00

Wednesday08.00-20.00

Thursday08.00-20.00

Friday08.00-17.00

Holiday opening hours

Monday– Friday09.00-16.30

2.2 Learning Zone Assistants

Learning Zone Assistants are based in the Library Learning Centres and provide help with all aspects of assignment work, research skills, MyCourse, referencing and study skills. In addition there are Independence Coaches who provide support for students accessing DSA See Section 2.

2.3 - VALNOW

The VALNOW system is a resource for HE students, which allows access to the University’s Learning Centre book and on-line learning resources in addition to those available in the College. The VALNOW service is accessible from any computer in the College which has internet access and you will be shown how to use the system during induction. The Learning Centre staff are also available to assist students with the VALNOW system.

2.4E- Learning Facilities

MYCOURSE (Virtual Learning Environment) is an online area where all students can access course materials, resources and information. Live @ Edu gives access to students’ own

college email account, 25GB of storage space, access to online applications such Word and PowerPoint and a variety of communication and collaboration tools. The Extranet allows

access to work saved at college from anywhere in the world, without the need for disks or pen drives. The student homepage is a portal for thousands of online resources. The E-Info Centre can be accessed from the student homepage and learners can see messages from tutors and advertised events.

Section 3 : Support For Students

3.1 –SEND

Support for HE students is accessed through an application to the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). The application requires current up-to-date evidence of your Specific Learning Difficulty and/ or Disability as defined under the disability section of the Equality Act 2010. The DSA decide upon your eligibility for support which is funded by Student Finance England (SFE). If you are eligible for support, your needs are assessed by a Needs Assessment Centre who will write a report detailing your support and recommendations.

Therefore if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty and/ or Disability that may affect your studies, please inform us prior to enrolment. Please follow the hyperlink for more information on the DSA:

https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowances-dsas

You can also contact us for guidance via:

Telephone: 01772 225335 or 225217

Email:

If you do not have the evidence to support your application but would like to be assessed for a Specific Learning Difficulty please contact us via the details above. In order to ensure that students at Preston’s College are treated equally and to ensure the system for charging is transparent and consistent with our HE partners; a contribution of £100 per student for a full diagnostic assessment has been introduced.

In cases where you are not eligible to apply for DSA your tutor will make reasonable adjustments to accommodate your needs.

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3.2 - Student Services

Student Services is based on the ground floor of the Earnshaw Building, at the Fulwood Campus. If you wish to make an appointment for an interview with a Welfare Adviser, then these can be made at the Help Desk, in person or by telephoning (01772) 225656. We also offer a Welfare 'Drop-in' facility most lunch times. Alternatively please contact us via email or through the college website:

or

The Counselling Service provides a confidential place for students in “crisis” or where specified as part of a student’s Needs Assessment. The College counsellors will be able to signpost students to external services, if ongoing support is needed.

Information about the College’s services, support, policies and procedures are available on our online Student eHandbook which is accessible via the Student Portal. Information is updated regularly.

A weekly Bulletin is made available on ProPortal and via email providing useful, current information about College life.

ProPortal, a performance monitoring system, allows you to access information about your own academic progress, up to date attendance and enables you to communicate with College staff.

3.3 - The Learner Voice – Have Your Say

You can play an important part in the process of improving the quality of the course through the feedback that you give. A system exists to ensure all students have the opportunity to have their views and concerns heard at all levels of the College.

Early in semester one you will elect a Course Representative (normally one per group) who you can trust to be able to put forward your problems and concerns. Please note that these are concerns which affect the academic development of the group as a whole. Individual and / or personal problems should be brought up with your Nominated Tutor as and when the need arises.

Your elected Course Representative will:

  • Gather group opinions
  • Consider the external examiners report for the Course
  • Attend Staff, Student Liaison Committee (SSLC) meetings
  • Communicate items from the meetings
  • Lead discussions between the group and Course Leader/Team
  • Work with the Course Leader / Team to improve the Course for all
  • Take part in the 3 student Conferences held each term

All students have the opportunity to affiliate to the National Union of Students and take advantage of the many discounts that then become available.

3.4 - Student feedback

In addition to the Student Rep’s meetings, Staff and Student Liaison Meetings (SSLC) will be held when the Student Rep’ will have a meeting with the rest of the group to discuss issues about College in general and about the way in which the course is managed and delivered. This will then be fed back to the Course Team to help them when considering any improvements or changes to the programme.

The purpose of a SSLC meeting is to provide the opportunity for Course Representatives to feedback to staff about the course, the overall student experience and to inform developments which will improve future courses. These meetings are normally scheduled once per semester. Your Course Leader will facilitate the meetings using guidelines and provide a record of the meeting with any decisions and / or responses made and / or actions taken as a result of the discussions held.

Notes from these meetings will be shared with Pearson and the External Examiners.

The meetings include discussion of items forwarded by Course Representatives, normally related to the following agenda items (dependent on time of year). Your Student Liaison Officer will be invited to attend and support the resolution of any issues. The Course Team encourage student feedback in all areas and recognise that additional items for discussion may also be raised at the meeting.

  • Update on actions completed since the last meeting
  • Feedback about the previous year – discussion of external examiner’s report; outcomes of National student surveys.
  • Review of enrolment / induction experience;
  • Course organisation and management (from each individual year group, and the course overall);
  • Experience of modules - teaching, assessment, feedback;
  • Experience of academic support which may include e.g. Personal Development Planning, Personal Tutoring arrangements.
  • Other aspects of HE
  • life relevant to student experience e.g. resources, IT, library;
  • Any other issues raised by students or staff.

You will also be asked to complete a Module Evaluation Questionnaire at the end of every module. Responses to these will help the module team to see what they are doing right and what changes should be made.

In addition final year students will be asked to complete the National Student Survey in semester 2.

However, if you do have any problems, please do not wait for a questionnaire to tell us, as we may be able to do something immediately to remedy the problem.

3.5 - The Student Council

We seek nominations each year for a Higher Education Student Representative on the College’s Student Council. We welcome your enthusiasm for this and if you wish to seek nomination please inform your Course Tutor.

3.6 - The Students Union. (SU)

All students have the opportunity to affiliate to the National Union of Students - NUS.org.uk - and take advantage of the many discounts that then become available.

The Students’ Union is a student-led, democratic organisation and exists to make life better for you.

The Union is all about you taking the opportunities that are offered and making the most of them.

3.7– Complaints and Compliments

If at any time you are dissatisfied with any aspect of the College’s provision or services, you should discuss this in the first instance with your Nominated Tutor or the Programme Team Leader.

You can also lodge a complaint with Student Services. Student Services staff will provide you with guidance on how to make a complaint. If you wish to complement the college or the course team please also place your compliment with student services.

A copy of the full College Complaints Procedure and Complaints Forms are available from Student Services and on the Student e-handbook. If you have exhausted all college procedures you are able to take your complaint to the Office of Independent Adjudicators.

3.8 - The Student Charter

Preston’s College has adopted a Student Charter, which spells out those things which the College promises to do its best to provide you with. In addition, the Charter also sets out the College’s expectations of you during your time here. This can be found in the e-handbook.

3.9 – Conduct

You will be expected to abide by the Regulations for the Conduct of Students in the College and expect you to behave in a respectful manner demonstrated by for example, using appropriate language in class, and switching mobile phones / other devices off prior to attending classes.

If your behaviour is considered to be unacceptable, any member of academic staff is able to issue an informal oral warning and the College will support staff by invoking formal procedures where necessary.

3.10 - Attendance

We monitor you and your progress to ensure that you are on track to succeed! Your attendance at all lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials is taken very seriously by staff – we expect you to be there.

We expect you to attend 100% of your timetabled classes. If your attendance is poor and you do not respond to the support described below, you will be withdrawn from your course and this will have implications for your tuition fees and student loan.

If you are unable to attend class for any reason you should contact your Nominated Tutor or the Programme Team Leader. Please see your course handbook for further details.

We will try to help and support you in any way we can where you are facing particular difficulties. However, if your attendance is not satisfactory then you will be asked to discuss your situation with the Programme Team Leader. If your attendance continues to be unsatisfactory you will be asked to attend an interview with the Headof School to discuss your place on the course.

If you have not gained the required authorisation for leave of absence from your course, do not respond to communications from the College and if you are absent for 3 weeks or more, you may be deemed to have withdrawn from the course. If this is the case, then your date of withdrawal will be recorded according to your last date of attendance. This date will be used to determine any financial and other implications that your withdrawal may have.

Studying in Higher Education can be a very exciting and hectic time for students, but some do find the difference between college and Higher Education difficult to adjust to. Juggling your time to attend lectures, seminars and working on assignments and private study, plus the other social and family commitments that you may have demands excellent time management skills.

Section 4: Progression

Discussions about your progression through the course normally take place in February each year. It is an opportunity for you to make plans for your study over the next academic year. The Course Team will tell you about the various modules / combinations available and you will both agree on the most appropriate course of study for you.

Throughout your time with us we will provide a range of opportunities by which you can plan for your progression. In addition you will have opportunities to consider other options to you and your NominatedTutor will be instrumental in this and can direct you to other sources of careers information advice and guidance.

Section 5: Assessment

5.1 – Assessment

See the Preston’s College Academic Regulations on Assessment on your My Course site.

We believe that assessment is a vital component of your learning – we will give you valuable feedback on all assessments that will allow you to see how you have done and importantly how you can improve. All modules will be assessed and you will be expected to attempt all of the assessments for each module at the times scheduled unless you have authorised permission to defer an assessment submission deadline.(further details on this are given in your course handbook)