Student Handbook
HELLO!
At Bridgend College, we want all our students to be all that they can be. We pride ourselves on the excellent support and opportunities we offer our students, both in and outside of the classroom.
Whether youâd like to find out about the wellbeing support available, how to set up your own business, or the financial support you may be entitled to, bookmark this handy site which will give you a flavour of what you can expect while studying with us.
Your personalised student portal is the best way to access your timetable, track targets, see digital badges, and stay up-to-date on all upcoming college events. Itâs also your one stop shop for print credit, library resources and essential tools like Google Classroom and Gmail.
Donât forget to follow us on social media too!
Did you know?
Student Services
Financial Support
During your time with us, you may be eligible for financial support to help with the costs of studying. This may include the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA), the Welsh Government Learning Grant (WGLG) or the Financial Contingency Fund (FCF).
FCF can support students with some of the cost of childcare, lunch, course equipment, the cost of travel or a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Please note: eligibility for funding is dependent on your household income. Please visit the relevant funding website for full terms and conditions.
Transport
There are a number of ways you can travel to College and it is important that you decide which option is right for you.
Reporting Absence
Students are expected to maintain at least 95% attendance, but we understand that sometimes absences are unavoidable.
Please contact us and let us know before the start of the college day, your name, student ID number, reason for your absence and when you expect to be back at college: absence@bridgend.ac.uk
Opportunities and Careers
Cyfleoedd
Cyfleoedd is our College careers hub. We work with students to help them prepare for future employment and gain access to the best local and national employers. Our careers team is able to support you with:
- Writing your CV
- Preparing for a job interview
- Gaining work experience
- Choosing subjects or courses
Every Monday and Wednesday our careers team offers a drop-in between 10am-1pm at Pencoed and Bridgend Campuses.
You can find them:
- Bridgend Campus: A block, ground floor (opposite coffee shop)
- Pencoed Campus: Main Teaching Block, ground floor
Enterprise
Whether you would like to go freelance, start your own business or social enterprise, or explore self employment, there is a range of support available. We have a dedicated Entrepreneurship Officer who can offer you bespoke advice and mentoring, and signpost you to resources and organisations that can help you achieve your goals.
Looking to take the next steps on your enterprise journey? Contact Ruth Rowe, our Entrepreneurship Officer: rrowe@bridgend.ac.uk
Student Life and Wellbeing
Our team is here to help you have the best experience whilst you are studying with us. There may be a time when you need some help such as solving a problem thatâs not going away, reporting a concern, how to get advice to help you make informed decisions or to discuss your mental health and wellbeing.
Students can make an appointment or drop-in every day between 12pm and 2pm.
Student Life
We hold a range of fun activities throughout the year including awareness raising events. You will have the chance to be involved in a variety of different clubs and societies including the GRL Society (female empowerment group), BC Pride and Eco Society. We also organise activities to get you moving like table tennis tournaments and boxercise. They are a great way to meet other students!
If you want to represent your fellow students you could become a StAR (Student Academic Representative). This will allow you to gain valuable skills such as communication, problem solving, negotiation and leadership.
Safeguarding
We want our college to be a safe environment to learn and develop. You can help us by having your Student ID visible at all times, telling us if you are concerned or worried about something or someone else, and being mindful of your own behaviour and conduct.
We are committed to safeguarding our students who may be at risk of harm and against radicalisation and extremism. If something is concerning you, whether itâs about you or someone else you can use the âReport a Concernâ button on the student portal. Just log in and select âReport a Concernâ to raise an issue quickly and directly.
If you donât have access to a laptop, you can scan the Report a Concern QR codes on posters around your classrooms and across campus. Itâs quick, easy to use, and helps us get the right support to you.
Student Governors
Two Student Governors are elected annually to attend the Collegeâs Governing Body meetings. Student Governors are actively encouraged to participate in meetings, using their knowledge and experience to help shape discussions and decisions that will directly affect both current and future students.
For information about Student Governors, contact: wellbeing@bridgend.ac.uk
Our Learning Community
As part of our Learning Programme Promise, we are committed to helping you develop your skills and to improve your personal growth and development. In return, we ask you to agree to our student Citizenship Code and to fulfil our learning expectations:
Be Ready
Be Respectful
Be Safe
These are really important to us at Bridgend College and we expect all students to demonstrate these behaviours at all times. You will learn more about our Citizenship Code when you begin your studies.
Success Centres
The Collegeâs Success Centres provide our students with a welcoming environment for learning. Youâll find books, graphic novels, magazines and a range of online resources to help you with your studies and assignments.
There are computer facilities, including chromebooks to borrow and agile study areas where you can bring your own device and link up to the free wifi. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff can also help you with resource finding, printing and photocopying.
Learning Programme Promise
All full-time students at Bridgend College undertake a Learning Programme that is designed to enable them to be all that they can be.
The Learning Programme will focus on 3 main areas:
- Vocational Skills Building
- Developing Skills to Success
- Personal Growth and Development
This is our promise to you. In return you must beâĤ
Ready, Respectful and Safe.
6 Skills to Success
We believe in giving our students the opportunity to become well-rounded global citizens of the future. In order to achieve this, we have identified 6 Skills to Success that will be explored and embedded into your Learning Programme:
- Planning and Organisation
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
- Creativity and Innovation
- Personal Effectiveness
- Active Citizenship
- Changemaker
We developed this approach alongside employers and industry leaders to ensure that our students are fully equipped to deal with all that life throws at them when they progress into the world of work or continue their journey in education.
You will focus on skills such as critical thinking and problem solving, creativity and innovation, and how to plan and organise. You will also earn digital badges during your journey with us in order to evidence these newly found skills you have developed.
Welsh Language
We are committed to delivering a bilingual student experience. As a student, you have rights to the following:
- Letters, forms and other information in Welsh
- Welsh-speaking Personal Tutor
- Counselling service in Welsh
- Meetings in Welsh
- Certificates in Welsh
- Submit written work in Welsh (depending on the examining body)
Whether youâre a fluent Welsh speaker or a learner, we would like to encourage you to use as much Welsh as possible in college. We also have a range of Welsh activities running throughout the year to help you engage with other Welsh-speaking students and members of staff.
We also have Welsh Language Facilitators in priority areas, a Welsh Language Officer and Welsh Ambassadors supported by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, who are here to help and support you to continue using your Welsh whilst you are at college.
Learning Support
If you have a learning difficulty, a disability or a medical condition, you may require additional learning provision at college.
You can also discuss any initial concerns you have regarding the need for additional learning support with your course tutor or by contacting our Additional Learning Support Team at: aln@bridgend.ac.uk
Student ID
At Bridgend College, keeping our campus safe, welcoming, and inclusive for everyone is our top priority. Based on feedback from our Learner Voice Conferences, we know that knowing who is on campus matters just as much to you as it does to us.
Thatâs why, from this September, we are updating our expectation: your student ID must be worn and visible at all times while on campus.
Having a clear, consistent expectation helps us maintain a secure community while remaining flexible and responsive to health and safety requirements in practical settings, like workshops and practical learning environments.
We want you to feel comfortable expressing yourself, so during enrolment, youâll have plenty of options for how to display your ID:
- Bridgend College Branded Lanyards: Pick from a fresh range of design-led lanyards created to suit different styles.
- Your Own Lanyard: Bring and wear your own lanyard if you prefer.
- ID Clips: Opt for a clip to attach your ID card directly to your curriculum uniform or kit.
Wearing your ID visibly will be part of our Citizenship Contract, which we’ll cover during your induction and welcome assemblies.
