If you identify as an estranged student then we can provide you with extra support.
Estranged Students are students studying without the support of a family network, due to a breakdown in those relationships. Students in this position often have no contact at all with their family or sporadic and challenging contact. Causes of a breakdown of familial relationships could include (but are not limited to): emotional or physical abuse, mismatched expectations about family roles and relationships, or a clash of personality or values. Estranged students do not necessarily have experience of being in care.
If you identify as an Estranged Student then we can provide you with extra support.
NESCol has signed the Stand Alone Pledge. The pledge underlines our determination to ensure the specific challenges that estranged students face are acknowledged and acted upon through bespoke support.
We can help you choose a course that sets you on the right path to reaching your career goals.
Our Student Support team can help and advise you in making your transition to College as smooth as possible. Once enrolled, we can continue to help you with Study Skills Support and Additional Learning & Assessment Support where required.
Students at NESCol will have a dedicated Academic Tutor who can support with pastoral or academic issues.
The Students’ Association can assist you with peer support and advice on clubs, societies and social experiences that could enhance your NESCol experience.
NESCol also supports the This Is Us student-led community. This Is Us is a dedicated and safe online space for estranged HE students (and recent graduates) in the UK to connect, share info, arrange meet-ups and more! It’s free, national, and open to all ages & years of study.
All our students can leave College with a CV, and advice on navigating volunteering and job markets.
If you identify as being an estranged student, then it is important that you let us know as soon as possible.
The easiest way to tell us is to do so when filling out an application or funding application for a full-time course or at the point of enrolment on your course. Alternatively, contact the team directly by dropping into your local Student Advice Centre, or by emailing studentsupport@nescol.ac.uk.
For Estranged students students at Altens Campus your key contact is Aimee Ridgeway: A.Ridgeway@nescol.ac.uk.
For Estranged students students at City Campus your key contact is Lianne Marriott: l.marriott@nescol.ac.uk.
For Estranged students at Fraserburgh Campus or the Scottish Maritime Academy your key contact is Steven Pirie: SPirie@nescol.ac.uk.
Don’t take our word for it! Find out what our students think about studying at NESCol.
HNC Mechanical Engineering
“Being able to work, gain practical experience and study at the same time has given me a really strong foundation to continue building my career in engineering.”
“At 19, I’m working with I’m working with a professional football club, I have an HND under my belt and a degree in my sights. NESCol has given me brilliant opportunities, and I wouldn’t be in the position I am today without it.”
“My advice to anyone who wants to change direction is that it’s never too late. NESCol has opened the door to new opportunities for me and for that, I’ll be forever thankful.”
“I was completely put at ease by my tutors and lecturers and made to feel like I could achieve anything.”
“I enjoyed my graded unit topics as they were very personalised, and I felt I could tackle them with my own knowledge. I would absolutely recommend studying at NESCol as the course can be tailored towards your goals.”
“The lecturers are top notch. I cannot fault them – they were fantastic. Learning can be done online but it’s the lecturers and their way of teaching that made it memorable for me.”
“My favourite thing was my classmates and tutors. We were like a family. I wouldn’t call it a class; it was like a home, and I always looked forward to coming to College.”
“If you’d told me when I started evening classes that I’d go on to study full-time at NESCol, achieve my HND and progress to a BA degree, I’d never have believed you. I can honestly say that my only regret is not doing it sooner.”
“My biggest highlight of College was when I completed my HND and realised how much I had grown professionally and personally.”
“Studying at College was a great experience, and I’m very proud of everything I have achieved.”