UCBCStudent Support

We are here to support you!

Dear studentWelcome to UCBC, now that you are enrolled I would like to introduce you to a range of staff who may at some point during your academic journey be a source of guidance and support to you. We are here to support you in a range of ways, such as a dedicated Personal Tutor, Inclusive Studies and Disability Services team, a Student Engagement team, HE Student Finance and Careers advice and a Student Union. This includes tutorials and study skills support through to a variety of specialist workshops and drop-in sessions. We have put together this mini-guide so you can see at a glance who to contact and what exactly is available to you throughout your time with us at UCBC. Best wishes for your studies

Wendy PenningtonHead of Student Engagement

Please ensure you get to know your Personal Tutor, they are a key and vital lifeline to your success with us.

Their roles and responsibilities are twofold, academic and pastoral and they will be able to signpost you to, and make you aware of, the support and resources available.

Joanne HalliwellPersonal Tutor

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During your time with us we want you to perform to the best of your ability.

The Student Engagement Team are available for you if you require support with academic and study skills or if you are finding it hard to manage your workload. At times students can feel overwhelmed by some or all of these reasons, but in many cases we are able to provide guidance and support before it becomes a problem or interferes with your study and/or your personal life.

If you are experiencing problems with any aspect of your study at UCBC, the Student Engagement Team are available to meet with you to discuss the options available to you. The team offer drop in sessions for quick questions or if you prefer, a one to one appointment can be booked which generally last for half an hour. Skype meetings can also be completed if you are unable to attend in person.

The contact details of the individual Student Engagement Officer for your school can be accessed via the UCBC Student Engagement section on Moodle or from the Student Engagement Team “What we can do for you” brochure.

If your attendance drops below 90% we will try to contact you to attempt to re-engage you with your studies.

The UCBC Student Engagement section on Moodle also contains a number of useful study skills resources including “At a glance guide to referencing” and “At a glance guide to plagiarism”.

The Student Engagement Team

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Gemma IrvingHE Student Engagement Co-ordinator

Dan BennettHE Student Engagement Officer

Rachael Taylor-GuestHE Student Engagement Officer

Terry KingHE Student Engagement Officer

Laura HunterHE Student Engagement Officer

Scan QR code to view our Student

Engagement video

EventsWorking with the Students’ Union we put on events for you to participate in such as the Freshers’ Fair and an end of year trip to Alton Towers. We want to put on the events that you want so please let us know what you would like.

We can also support you if you want to hold an event yourself – maybe you want to raise money for charity or to organise an event for your course – let us know and we can advise or assist you.

Call 01254 292454 or email –ucbcstudentevents@blackburn.ac.uk

SUAs a student at University Centre at Blackburn College you are automatically a member of our Students’ Union. This means that you are entitled to benefit from all that we offer.

You’ll be able to take part in the various clubs and societies including sports clubs and if you wish, can even be actively involved in the Students’ Union by becoming a Students’ Union Officer, a Student Rep or just an active partner.

Call 01254 292398 or visit su.blackburn.ac.uk

The Student Finance TeamOur Student Finance Team is here to help you explore the funding opportunities available to you during your study.

We are here to:

• Ensure you are aware of your full funding entitlement from Student Finance England and UCBC

• Assist you with your application for funding

• Assist you with any concerns/problems you may be experiencing with Student Finance England

• Discuss enquiries regarding the £1,000 bonus for full-time eligible students

• Discuss options to you if you are experiencing financial problems

You will find more information on the Student Finance England website at www.gov.uk/student-finance.

For help and advice, please book in for a one-to-one hour long appointment, in a private interview space, on the number below. Appointments can be organised via Skype if you are unable to attendin person.

Alternatively come and see us for quick queries at a drop-in advice session. Sessions are held Monday 10am-12pm, and Wednesday 1pm-3pm in UCBC. Please report to main UCBC reception and put your name on the waiting list.

Call 01254 292839 or visit hestudentfinance@blackburn.ac.uk

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Access all Areas At UCBC we pride ourselves in our inclusive culture. We are committed to supporting all students to get the best out of their time at our University Centre. It is important to us that all students can access our campus, facilities, teaching and assessment and all aspects of student life.

Many people do not realise that conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia or mental health and well being issues, cancer and arthritis may be classed as disabilities. Likewise, students who experience characteristics of dyslexia or dyspraxia are not aware that support is available.

If you experience any of the above or other conditions which have a significant impact upon your day to day life or ability to participate in study, work based learning, trips or exams please do not hesitate to contact us. Our Advisers will be more than happy to explore with you what support and/or additional resources may be available to you.

All appointments can be made at the University Centre Reception. Alternatively we can be contacted on 01254 292269 or at hedisabilityservices@blackburn.ac.uk

Text phone for hearing impaired students: 07891481383

If you just have a quick enquiry we operate a daily Drop In Service 12pm - 1pm during term time. Please notify the UCBC Reception that you wish to access the drop in and the Adviser on duty will be contacted. The sooner you contact us the sooner we can begin to support you through your student journey.

The Careers TeamOur friendly and professionally qualified Careers Advisers are here to help you plan your career and make the most of the graduate opportunities that will be available to you after your studies. We can help you explore:

• Career options related to your qualification

• Graduate vacancies and employers

• Post-graduate study options

Our staff also run ‘The Work Shop’ which will help you gain the employability skills you need to help you find work at the end of your course. The Work Shop board in The Curve advertises local part-time job vacancies, work experience opportunities,

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graduate vacancies and details of workshop sessions you can book onto, or you can go to The Work Shop Moodle pages for help with:

• CV development

• Writing personal statements

• Where to look for work and the labour market

• Applying for jobs

• Preparing for job interviews

• Interview practice and feedback

For help with any of the above topics, book in for a one-to-one hour long appointment, in a private interview space, via Main Reception. Appointments can be organised via Skype if you are unable to attend in person. Alternatively come and see us for quick queries at a drop-in advice session. Sessions are held daily 11am-1pm in Beacon Centre (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) and UCBC (Tuesday, Thursday). Please report to the main reception in the appropriate building to be seen.

Call 01254 292929 or email careers@blackburn.ac.uk

Well Being & Mental HealthChanges and pressures in our lifestyle can, at times affect our well-being and mental health. Sometimes knowing that there is an approachable person who you can talk through issues with, can make so much difference when you are studying.

Our Well Being and Mental Health Adviser is available to meet with you to discuss issues which may be impacting upon your well being and as a consequence be getting in the way of your studies. Our Adviser will be able to explore with you what support and/or additional resources may be available to you and sign post you to the relevant services where applicable.

Appointments can be made at the University Centre Reception

Alternatively appointments can be made by contacting 01254 292269 or by emailing wbmh@blackburn.ac.uk

Text phone for hearing impaired students: 07891481383/07826671085

Work-Based LearningThe HE Placement Officer supports University Centre students in the following areas:

• help with finding or sourcing a work placement

• support with your Reflective Practitioner & work-based learning modules

• general employability/employment advice and support

The Work-Based Learning Blog (http://wblblackburn.wordpress.com/) has lots of useful information and resources for students in regards to work based learning and placement support.

HE Placement Officer - Sean Starkie: Call 01254 29 23 75 | Email sean.starkie@blackburn.ac.uk

Drop-in sessions!

Where: Students’ Union Area of The Curve | When: Tuesdays 11am - 1pm & Thursdays 2pm - 4pm

Appointments are also available and can be requested by emailing sean.starkie@blackburn.ac.uk

Library Services Library Services and its supportive staff at the University Centre are here to support you in your studies and help you achieve your goals.

We offer a range of IT including ipads, an up-to-date book collection, e-journals and databases available 24/7, silent and group study areas and we open six days a week during term time opening on 4 days till late.

Please visit the library and discover the full range of services and study facilities available to you.

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Joanne Barker GoslingWell Being & Mental Health Adviser

ChaplaincyChaplaincy aims to look after the spiritual needs of all members of the College community. The Chaplaincy provides pastoral care and guidance for those who wish to develop their understanding of issues surrounding faith, spirituality and values. The Chaplain is happy to sit, listen and offer confidential support. Also, there are three rooms on campus where students and staff can pray. The Peace Place in the Beacon Centre is the main room which welcomes everyone to share the time and space for quiet reflection, prayer and exploration. Students can also get involved in faith based activities through the Blackburn with Darwen Youth Interfaith Forum and the Muslim Academic Society.

For further details, please contact the College Chaplain; Imam Saleem Seedat via e-mail s.seedat@blackburn.ac.uk or call 01254 292585

AccommodationWe have a wide variety of accommodation options available to you here at Blackburn College, from our halls of residence to privately managed houses, flats and apartments.

Whichever option you choose you will be guaranteed the accommodation will be of a high standard as all the landlords we work with are committed to the College’s “Landlord Registration Scheme”.

For further information and help contact the Accommodation Liaison Officer on 01254 292423 or email accommodation@blackburn.ac.uk

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International OfficeWe have a dedicated International Office who support you to apply for your study and Tier 4 Visa and also assist, during and after your studies at Blackburn College.

We also have a dedicated International Student Engagement Co-ordinator who works with all our International Students to ensure you get the most out of your time at Blackburn College. In addition to this our academic teams ensure that all courses we offer are suitable for our International Students.

With our extensive experience of working with International Students, you can be sure that we’ll be able to support you during your time studying with us.

Call 01254 292356 or email international@blackburn.ac.uk

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Student Engagement Team Student Engagement Team offer weekly drop-in sessions, these are held on your school floor. For details of the next available drop-in session, please see the drop-in poster located around the lift/stairs area on your school floor.

Inclusive Studies and Disability Services Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 12pm - 1pm

Student Finance Monday 10am - 12pm & Wednesday 1pm - 3pm

Careers Service Tuesday & Thursday 11am - 1pm

Work Based Learning Tuesday 11am - 1pm & Thursday 2pm - 4pm

Events & Communication Monday 2pm - 4pm & Wednesday 10am - 12pm

Students’ Union President Monday 10am - 12pm & Thursday 1pm - 3pm

Student Union Activities & Communication Officers Wednesday 12pm - 1pm

Student Union Disability & Welfare Officers Monday 12pm - 1pm

Drop-in SessionsUCBC Student Services

Scan QR codes to view our Student

Support and Student Engagement videos

Student Engagement

Student Support