Coleg Gwent Higher Education Guide 2016/17

A university qualification is closer than you think… and it doesn’t have to cost the earth. Our growing range of Higher Education courses means you can study university courses at all our campuses.

Open events Get a taste of college life at our open events.

They’re the best way to find out more about courses and financial support, and get a feel for our friendly campuses.

Tuesday 10 November

5-8pm

Wednesday 20 January

5-8pm

Tuesday 1 March

2-8pm

Wednesday 11 May

5-8pm

Wednesday 29 June

2-8pm

Register online now to be in with a chance to win £50 (terms & conditions apply) www.coleggwent.ac.uk/open

Find your way around 2 3 4 5 6

Why study with us?

What our students say Your guide to qualifications How much will it cost?

How to apply

Coleg Gwent is a strategic partner of the University of South Wales and UHOVI (part of the University of South Wales).

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All the benefits of studying at a university As a HE student at Coleg Gwent, you’ll have access to all of the facilities at the university your course is validated by, including campus learning centres, online resources and Students’ Union. You’ll receive your transcript from your university and you’ll be invited to the university’s graduation ceremony.

Friendly campuses in your local area You can expect top quality teaching from our expert lecturers – they all have relevant experience in their industry so not only are you learning from the best, they can give you great advice on how to go about starting your career. And our classes are small, so you can think big.

Work-related experience to launch your career Most employers look for candidates with relevant work experience, but it’s often difficult to get your foot in the door if you’ve come straight out of education. Studying with us will give you the competitive advantage as most of our HE courses include work-related experience. So as well as getting to put what you learn in college into practice in industry, it looks great on your CV and could make you more employable.

An investment in your future, that won’t break the bank To help with the cost of studying, all HE students can apply for a Student Loan - not only do you not start paying it back until you’re earning more than £21,000 a year, when you do start repaying the loan, repayments are really affordable and you don’t pay tax on them. Find out more on page 5.

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Being a HE student at Coleg Gwent is fantastic.

But don’t just take our word for it; hear it from some of our current students.

Luke Florence Foundation Degree Music Technology

“This course is a ticket to a different life for me.

From an under-privileged area to an opportunity of achieving something. The course is really affordable, the facilities are great and the lecturers are experts so it’s a really good investment in my future.”

Martyn Nash Foundation Degree Business Studies

“I didn’t realise you could do a university course without A Levels, so after my Level 3 in Business at Coleg Gwent, it made sense to go onto the Foundation Degree in the friendly environment I thrived in. My work placement has given me the skills and confidence that will help me get a job when I finish my top-up year.”

Caroline Olarewaju Foundation Degree Fashion Styling

“After the two year Foundation Degree at college I’ll be qualified to go into the final year at the University of South Wales, after which I’ll have gained a full Bachelors Degree in 3 years. The first class teaching and support means I’ll be well prepared when I go to uni, and then in the real world.”

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Here’s a guide to the different HE courses you can do at Coleg Gwent. If you need more help choosing the right course call us on 01495 333777 – we’ll be happy to help.

HNCs and HNDs

Professional qualifications

• Work related qualifications that combine theory and practice • Develop skills for a particular field of work • Highly valued by employers • Usually take two years to complete

• Generally awarded by professional bodies • Involve practical training to gain hands on experience in your chosen field • Demonstrate a recognised level of competence in a particular discipline

Foundation Degrees

Access to HE

• Combine academic study with practical on the job training • Usually studied over two years to gain a qualification in its own right • Option to complete an extra year to top up to a full honours degree

• Preparation for studying at degree level if you don’t meet the entry requirements for the above • Develop the study skills you need to progress • You’ll find more information about Access courses on our website

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A HE course is an investment in your future. And whilst there are costs associated with learning, whether it’s time you invest or your tuition fees, you may be eligible for financial support, which means it could cost less than you think.

The information on these pages apply to 2015/16 as information on fees and financial support for 2016/17 have not yet been announced. Figures are intended as a guide only, but as soon as we have details, you’ll be able to find them on our website.

Full time students For 2015/16, the standard full time fee for a HNC, HND or Foundation Degree was £6,750 per year.

However, Welsh students only paid £3,810 per year thanks to a non means tested Fee Grant funded by the Welsh Government for eligible students, which made up the difference.

Tuition Fee Loan You can either pay the tuition fee up front or you can apply to defer payment by taking out a Tuition Fee Loan, which you will then repay when you have left the course and start earning over £21,000 per year.

In 2015/16, full time students could apply for up to £3,810 and part time students could borrow up to £2,625. We’ll update information on our website when information on Tuition Fee Loans for 2016/17 have been announced.

Welsh Government Learning Grant and Maintenance Loan All students can apply for a Learning Grant to help with your living costs and the cost of studying (books, travel etc) and does not have to be repaid. The Maintenance Loan will need to be repaid from the April after you leave or finish the course providing you are earning over £21,000 per year.

Part time students Tuition fees vary between courses so it depends what course you’re doing. To find out the cost of your course call Admissions on 01495 333777.

PCET (Post-compulsory Education and Training) In 2015/16, tuition fees for PCET courses were £611 per 20 credits module - you would usually study 60 credits in a year.

The amount of Learning Grant and Maintenance Loan you are entitled to will depend on your application and a means test. Find out more on our website.

Special Support Grant You may be eligible for the Special Support Grant if you’re a lone parent, your partner is also a student or if you have certain disabilities.

Additional support

You must make an application to Student Finance Wales for all support, including the Fee Grant. Please visit the Student Finance Wales website at www.studentfinancewales.co.uk or call 0300 200 4050.

You may be able to get extra help if you have adults or children who depend upon you financially. This does not have to be repaid and includes the Adult Dependants’ Grant, Childcare Grant and Parents’ Learning Allowance. If you have any additional course related costs due to a disability, you might be entitled to additional help through the Disabled Students’ Allowance.

Please note: The information on these pages applied

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Find out whether you’re eligible and

to 2015/16. Figures are intended as a guide as

what support you could be entitled to. www.coleggwent.ac.uk/hefinance

information for 2016/17 has not yet been announced.

As soon as we have details, you’ll be able to find them on our website.

Once you’ve decided which course you’d like to study, applying is easy.

Course advice and guidance We’ll invite you in to meet a subject tutor who’ll give you more details about your course and answer any questions you have.

Enrolment and induction We’ll invite you to enrolment which is usually in early September. We’ll send you a letter closer to the time to let you know exactly which date you’ll need to come in, and what you’ll need to bring with you. You’ll find out more about your course from the staff that will be teaching you, meet others on your course, and familiarise yourself with the college campus. You should expect to be in college for two days.

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Key to symbols: BGLZ - Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone CK - Crosskeys NP - City of Newport course subject to validation awarded by the University of South Wales

PP - Pontypool

U - Usk

Scan the QR for more course information

Full/part time

Duration

Animal Health & Welfare Foundation Degree

FT

2 years

BGLZ

Veterinary Nursing Foundation Degree

FT

2 years

Full/part time

Duration

Construction & The Built Environment HNC/HND

FT

1/2 year

Engineering HND •

FT

2 years

Civil Engineering HNC/HND •

FT

1/2 years

Mechanical Engineering HNC

PT

2 years

Mechanical Engineering HND

PT

2 years

Electrical & Electronic Engineering HNC

PT

2 years

Electrical & Electronic Engineering HND

PT

2 years

Full/part time

Duration

BGLZ

Business Studies Foundation Degree •

FT

2 years

•

Business Management Foundation Degree

FT

2 years

Retail Management Foundation Degree •

FT

2 years

Tourism & Destination Management Foundation Degree

FT

2 years

Hair & Beauty Management HNC/HND

FT

1/2 years

Accounting AAT Level 4

PT

1 year

Legal Studies Certificate in Higher Education •

FT

1 year

CILEx Law & Practice Diploma Level 6 •

PT

1 year

ILM Management Diploma Level 5

PT

1 year

CMI Management Diploma Level 5

PT

1 year

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Part time options are available for most courses stated full time. Contact our admissions team for more information.

Course information correct at time of printing.

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Full/part time

Duration

BGLZ

Photography Foundation Degree •

FT

2 years

•

Creative Industries: Popular Music Technology Foundation Degree

FT

2 years

•

Fashion Styling Foundation Degree

FT

2 years

Media Production Foundation Degree

FT

2 years

Games Art & Design Foundation Degree

FT

2 years

Graphic Communication Foundation Degree

FT

2 years

Performing Arts Foundation Degree

FT

2 years

Specialist Make Up: Performing Arts HNC

FT

1 year

Full/part time

Duration

BGLZ

CK

Childhood Studies Foundation Degree •

FT

2 years

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Community Health & Well Being Foundation Degree

FT

2 years

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Psychology Foundation Degree

FT

2 years

Care Studies Foundation Degree

FT

2 years

Full/part time

Duration

Cyber Security Foundation Degree •

FT

2 years

Information Communication Technology HND

FT

2 years

Information Communication Technology Foundation Degree

FT

2 years

Computing HND •

FT

2 years

Analytical & Forensic Science Foundation Degree

FT

2 years

Natural Sciences HNC •

FT

1 year

•

Full/part time

Duration

BGLZ

Sports Coaching & Development Foundation Degree

FT

2 years

•

Public & Emergency Services HND

FT

2 years

•

Full/part time

Duration

BGLZ

English & History Foundation Degree

FT

2 years

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PCET - Professional Certificate in Education/ Professional Graduate Certificate in Education

PT

2 years

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Preparing to Teach

PT

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