WECL Student Handbook

8/2/2019 WECL Student Handbook

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STUDENTHANDBOOK

West End College London

..............................

Your complete guide toWest End College London

Enlightening the future


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The College supports and seeks to promote the principleof equality of opportunity in all aspects of its operationincluding: admissions, teaching, learning support forstudents, resourcing, quality assurance, managementand governance. Every possible step will be taken toensure that all applicants, students, staff and visitors aretreated equally and fairly. The College is committed toeliminating unlawful or unfair discrimination on thegrounds of: age, disability, gender, marital status, sexualorientation, race, nationality, culture & religion. Wewould like to welcome you here, whether you are new tothe College or returning for another year. We are afriendly and committed college and want you tosucceed. We hope within this handbook you will find allthe information you need to make the most of your timewith us. Further information can be found on theCollege web site.

Best wishes from all the staff at


02 West End College London . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

t o W E S T E N D C O L L E G E

L O N D O N


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A SUPERB

CAMPUS...

03West End College London..............................

The College offers the best campuslocation in city of London.... globallyrecognised qualifications and arguablytop class facilities too!


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(e.g. Enjoy your study and pass your course)

E n j o y i n g & A c h i e v i n g


EVERY STUDENT

MATTERS...(e.g. high achiever in exam)

S t a n d O u t f r o m t h e C r o w d

(e.g. volunteer)

M a k i n g a P o s i t i v e C o n t r i b u t i o n

(e.g. succeed in life) A c h i e v i n g E c o n o m i c W e l l - b e i n g

(e.g. safe place to live & study)

S t a y i n g S a f e

(e.g. opportunities to do healthy activities)

B e i n g H e a l t h y

(e.g. setting higher targets)

A i m H i g h


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A HIGH QUALITY

EDUCATION...


WECL is accredited by the ASIC and Tier 4A Grade Sponsor

Essential to the success of any academic institution is thequality of the teaching staff, and the lecturing team at

West End College London is of a high calibre. Collegelecturers are selected not just for their academic abilityand technical skills, but also for their ability to imparttheir knowledge to others. Studying a subject toBachelors degree or Masters degree level is not easyand much depends on the effectiveness of the teaching.The credentials of West End College Londons lecturershave been assessed thoroughly and approved andstudents can therefore be confident that our lecturersare of the highest standard.

The Teaching


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A TEACHING

STANDARD

A combination ofinternationallyrecognised courses and

high standards ofteaching make West EndCollege London an idealchoice forUndergraduate andPostgraduateProfessional Courses



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COLLEGE TERM DATES

2010


WINTER SESSION (January - April)

SPRING SESSION (April June)

SUMMER SESSION (June September)

AUTUMN SESSION (September December)

Term Start Date: Monday 11 Jan 2010Term End Date: Friday 09 April 2010

Term Start Date: Monday 12 April 2010Term End Date: Friday 11 June 2010

Term Start Date: Monday 14 June 2010Term End Date: Friday 11 Sep 2010

Term Start Date: Monday 14 Sep 2010Term End Date: Friday 18 Dec 2010


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HAVE YOUR SAY:STUDENT SATISFACTION SURVEY

West End College London is committed to giving you the opportunity to tell us where things workand where they need improvement. We run a regular Student Satisfaction Survey which you areasked to complete; your responses inform future planning needs. Student Questionnaires at the endof each term will be collected and analysed to ensure that the quality of course delivery is maintainedand enhanced.

The College tries hard to keep the quality of its courses as high as possible. In order to do this it looksfor input from its students. We seek your views in several formal ways and we always welcomeinformal comment. The courses, in their current form, have benefited from student input over theyears; please play your part in making them better for future generations of students. Remember,however, that we often get conflicting comments students do not always agree with each other.We also need your help if problems arise with equipment or with timetables. If we know about aproblem, there is a good chance that we can solve it quickly; if we don't know about it, there's

nothing we can do.

Student feedbackLecturer who teach on the course meet with your batch representatives to discuss issues relating tothe course. You can make your views known to your student representative, or you may ask tobecome one. If you are interested in taking part, please talk to Director of Academics.


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TOP EXAM TIPS


Whether you are experienced at sitting exams or havent sat an exam foryears, we all suffer from exam stress. So here are a few handy hints and tips tohelp you keep calm, relaxed and focused.

Get Yourself OrganisedReduce any feeling of anxiety by writing out to dolist. This way you will see exactly what you have todo and will be able to prioritise your workload.

Create Mind MapsUsing pictures and colours to create mind mapsare an alternative way of note taking to linearnotes and can be an effective tool when revising.

Group StudyIf preparing for an exam, why not study in group.By study together you can test each other ondifferent subject areas and learn from one another.

Reduce Tiredness While StudyingKeep your brain happy and alert by taking noteswhile you are reading.

Take Regular BreaksIt is normally advised to study 6 to 8 hours a day,but remember to take time out in between bystudying in blocks of 40 -60 minutes at a time

Do Not Cram For An Exam

Learning new information the night before exam willonly make you more nervous. Stick to what you alreadyknow and learn it well.

Dont Suffer In SilenceIf you are worried about your study or fear missing adeadline, speak to your lecturer.

Avoid Alcohol The Night Before An ExamA hangover on the way to exam is not advised. Keepyou head clear by any early night the night before.

Study Past Exam PapersThis will help familiarise yourself with the style ofquestions you will be asked in an exam.

Find A Quiet Place To StudyIf studying at home make sure your desk area is tidyand away from distractions. The library on southcampus and John Havard Library across the roadprovide perfect surroundings for quiet study.


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MONEY MATTERS...Managing MoneyManaging your money is a vital part of student life. Whilst it is impossible topredict everything that you may have to spend money on, this section coversthe costs you are most likely to incur. We advise you to plan your budgetbefore starting your course so you know how much you have to spend eachweek. The following will provide you with a guide to approximate living costsso you can start to look at your budget.

Finances and Budgeting

AccommodationAn average weekly rent in London for privateaccommodation is 80-120 per person if you aresharing a property. A deposit is required at thecommencement of most tenancy agreements andis held against any damages made to the property.Deposits in private accommodation are usually

equivalent to one months rent. The WECL websitecontains full information about accommodationat WECL. We may help you to accommodate onLocal Hostels at Elephant and Castles. Speak toSandra for further details.

Council TaxThe council tax is a property tax payable to the localcouncil where you live. The amount chargeddepends on the value of a property, not on thenumber of people living there. Full-time studentsdo not have to pay council tax.. This means thatyou do not have to pay council tax for any period

during which you are living in the house or flat. If all thepeople living in the property are full-time students, theproperty becomes exempt. If you are living withnonstudents, they pay their percentage of the bill andstudents pay nothing. You will need to confirm yourstudent status to the local council by sending them anExemption Certificate.

FoodYou can expect to spend around 35-40 per week on

grocery shopping. It is usually cheaper to shop at largersupermarkets rather than smaller local stores. You willfind that supermarkets stock their own brands of manyproducts, which tend to be cheaper than national orinternational brands. You may also be able to savesome money by joining a supermarket loyalty cardscheme. Unless you are planning to save money bybringing a packed lunch and drinks with you to collegeeach day, you will need to budget for between 10-15 per week to cover the cost of buying lunch andsnacks.


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UtilitiesFor basic utilities (electricity, gas and water rates)you should allow 5 per person per week, if youare sharing a privately rented property. Whensharing a property, it is advisable to ensure that thenames of all the tenants are on each utility bill, sothat the liability for payment is shared.

Mobile PhoneFor most people having a mobile phone is seen as aluxury rather than a necessity. If you really need tohave a phone then you may want to consider apay as you go phone for essential calls only. Thisway you are not tied into an expensive contract,and you avoid running up large phone bills thatyou are unable to pay

InsuranceIt is highly advisable to take out an insurance policyto cover you against damage, loss or theft of yourpersonal property. Endsleigh Insurance Companyhas policies specifically designed for students whoare living in a shared house. Prices start from 16per person per year.

Books and EquipmentThe annual cost of books and course equipment

can vary between 200-250, depending on yourcourse of study. For further guidance on these costsplease check with your lecturer.

TV LicenseIf you are living in a shared accommodation and youuse a TV in your room, you need your own separatelicense. If you are living in a shared house and there isonly one TV being used in a communal area then onlyone license is required. However, if tenants use TVs intheir own rooms then each tenant requires a separatelicense, unless you have a joint tenancy agreement. Acolour license costs 142.50 a year. If you prefer not to

pay the full amount, it can be paid in monthly orquarterly instalments. Refunds are available oncomplete unused quarters, which can be useful if youare not using the TV during the summer vacation.

TransportTransport for London and National Rail with thesupport of the National Union of Students (NUS), offeryou the opportunity to obtain discounts on travel inand around London. With a valid Student Photo card,you can buy Travel cards and Bus Passes at 30% off theequivalent adult rate.


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Health costs

UK StudentsIf you are aged 19 or over and receive NHStreatment you will be asked to pay forprescriptions and some health care services unlessyou meet certain exemption criteria. The HealthCosts section of the website explains how to findout if you are entitled to help with health costs(such as free NHS prescriptions, dental treatment,sight tests and help towards glasses or contactlenses), how to make claims and apply for refunds,and provides information about health insurancefor those who are not entitled to full NHS care.

EU And International StudentsIf you are from the European Union (EU) or from acountry that has a reciprocal health careagreement with the UK, you can have freetreatment from the NHS. The Department ofHealth website publishes a detailed guide and a list

of countries with a reciprocal health care agreement toNHS services for overseas visitors.If you are in the UK with a visa that lasts for six monthsor more, you should be able to have free treatmentfrom the NHS from the start of your stay in the UK. Youhave to be accepted as being an ordinary UK resident,which means being in the UK for a settled purpose (ashort term course of study may not be consideredenough for this). To be able to obtain free NHStreatment, you need to register with a doctor (see theSupporting you while you study section of thisHandbook). You can then register with a dentist who

accepts NHS patients (check ups and treatment are notfree, but the cost will be lower than if you are acceptedas a private patient). Eye check ups may sometimes becheaper if you can prove that you are an NHS memberby showing your medical card. Even if you can have freetreatment from the NHS, you will probably have to paysome charges for medicines prescription charges,and for dental and optical treatment.


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TEN GREAT MONEY SAVING TIPS

FOR STUDENTSBudget

Prioritise and plan ahead. That way you should knowhow much you have to spend each week and shouldlimit yourself from overspending.

Get A Part-time JobEarn some extra cash and find a part-time job while youare studying. Not only will you earn cash, but you willsave money on going out and enhance your CV. Visit thelocal job centre plus for advice.

TravelPlan ahead when booking tickets to save money onadvanced bookings. Visit the National Express websitefor bus fares from 1. Those aged 16 25 and students

26+ that are in full-time education can purchase aYoung Persons Railcard for 26 to save a 1/3 on nationaltrain fares.

Plan Nights In With FriendsVisit Lovefilm.com and cdwow.com and take advantageof their free trial offers for a night in with your mates, aDVD and some popcorn.

Sell Your Old Stuff You know the saying, one persons trash is anotherpersons treasure. Make money out of your unwanteditems by selling it on sites such as EBay. Starting life as a

student can be daunting, especially if you have neverlived away from home before. Managing your finances

can be a challenge, so below are a few money saving tips tohelp you along the way.

BooksSave money on course books by borrowing from the library,sharing with friends or buying second-hand from websitessuch as EBay, Amazon and Abebooks.co.uk

Bank AccountsChoosing the right student account is important. Look outfor special promotions banks offer you to open a newaccount, but keep an eye on the small print on things likeoverdraft limits and charges.

BillsHow much you can pay for utility bills can be surprising if youhave never lived away from home before. Make sure youshop around for your suppliers dual providers can tend towork out cheaper, as can paying by direct debit.

DiscountsSign up to the moneysavingexpert.co.uk newsletter and logon to the website, updated daily, for great deals, vouchersand discounts.

FoodPlan your meals in advance to stop yourself over spending.Buying in bulk and buying fruit and veg from the marketusually saves money.


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Night Life

Close to Campus...

http://club.ministryofsound.com/club

The city of London is second to none for its party vibeand eclectic mix of bars, pubs and clubs. Whether youare looking for a traditional English pub to enjoy a nice

cold pint with friends after a hard days study, a cooland trendy bar to get the party started or a majornightclub to dance the night away thecomprehensive guide below has something foreveryone.

If you want to stay local to the campus of WECL, think Borough market for trendy wine bars and arelaxed pub atmosphere or head to the Southbank for a range of trendy bars. WECL is also withineasy walking distance of Ministry of Sound.

AROUND LONDONOne of the biggest advantages to studying at WECL is that you are right in theheart of one of the most exciting cities in the world. So after a hard days study,you can play hard too, with a multitude of entertainment right on yourdoorstep. No matter what your interests, the city of London has somethingfor everyone. Check out this section for lots of helpful information about howto get around London, where to eat, drink, shop and what great activities youcan do for free!


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SO, TO GET YOU STARTEDHERES A LIST OF 10 FREE PLACES TO GO

The Young Vic Shows

The Young Vic shows present a wide variety of classics,new plays, forgotten works and music theatre. Residentsof Lambeth and Southwark can see a Young Vic show forf r e e . G e t i n v o l v e d w i t h 2 B o r o u g h swww.youngvic.org/getinvolved/ two-boroughs

SouthbankTake a stroll along the Southbank for a first class view ofsome of Londons major landmarks including theLondon Eye, Big Ben and the fantastic skyline showing StPauls Cathedral.

MuseumsLondon is home to some fantastic museums including

the V&A, the Science Museum and the Natural Historymuseum all free to enter.

MusicThere are many places across the capital that you canregularly enjoy free music, recitals and entertainment,including the Southbank Centre, Trafalgar Square andthe Royal Opera House.

ParksLondon boasts many beautiful parks. Regents Park andPrimrose Hill are perfect for a stroll or picnic with friends.The popular Diana Memorial Playground can be found

at Hyde Park. Or try St. James Park for a fantastic view ofBuckingham Palace.

Changing Of The Guard

The changing of the Queens Guard takes place outsideBuckingham Palace every day at 11.30am in the summer andevery other day in the winter. Get there early for a good view!

Art GalleriesLondon is home to many outstanding art galleries includingTate Modern, The National Portrait Gallery and the NationalGallery.

Street MarketsWander around many of Londons street markets sellinganything from food to flowers or vintage clothing andantiques. Popular markets include Borough, Portobello Roadand Camden.

Go To The Recording Of A TV ShowIf you want to be in the audience for a TV show, you can signup for free tickets. Visit www.bbc.co.uk/ tickets orwww.tvrecordings.com for details.

Street PerformersMany of Londons entertaining street performers can befound on the Covent Garden.


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INTERNAL ASSESSMENTINCLUDING PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATIONS

Assessment Malpractice: Plagiarism,Cheating and Copying

Plagiarism

Cheating

Copying

means copying from published sources(including the internet) without acknowledgement.

includes copying the work from others, orgetting someone else to do the work for you.

includes allowing your work to be copiedby others. You must ensure that all the work that isproduced in assignments is your own. Work mustnot be copied from other students, or from anyother person. You must not produce assignmentwork in collaboration with other students, unless this is allowed as part of the assignment andclearly indicated by the lecturer.Quotations from published sources (including books, newspapers, magazines or the internet)must be clearly indicated in the assignment. All cases of suspected plagiarism, cheating orcopying will be investigated and, if proven, the student will be subject to the Collegesdisciplinary procedure.Awarding bodies may also impose their own sanctions and penalties, including disqualification.


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GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING

Lost Property

Mobile Phones

Parking

If you find anything, please hand it to a Receptionist. TheCollege cannot accept any responsibility for loss ordamage to students property.At no time should personal items be left unattended in

any areas of the College.

These must be switched off when you are in a classroomor library. There are a number of designated refreshmentareas where mobile phones can be used.

The College has only staff parking spaces on site. Pleaserespect any parking restrictions around the College asthey are there to aid emergency vehicles and collegetransport.

Student AdviceThe College has a Student Adviser Miss Ana-Maria who canhelp you with academic issues

Opening times (term time only):Monday 9.00am 6.00pmTuesday 9.00am 6.00pmWednesday 9.00am 6.00pmThursday 9.00am 6.00pmFriday 9.00am 6.00pm

Contact the Student Adviser by dropping into theRegistry. She is also available on ext 199 or email her [email protected] are alsoavailable by advance booking.

Guidance and counselling is provided by the Welfare Officer who will:* discuss, with you, how you are getting on with your studies, help you review your

academic and personal targets and plan what you need to do to achieveyour best

* guide you to people who can help if you have any personal, family or money

problems help you plan your future* meet with you in a timetabled group session on a weekly basis to explore a career

and personal development topic and relevant issues.The main aims of this service are to provide, where appropriate:! on course support! individual support


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Student Voice

Travel to College

Course representatives, there are student voice events held regularly throughout the year to enable you to tell us youropinion on various aspects of college life or to make suggestions for improvements. Constructive suggestions andgeneral concerns can also be raised by contacting the Director of Studies.

Assistance with TravelYou will be eligible for TFL student Oyster Card if you live in London and if you are a full-time student. For furtherdetails contact the TFL.

STUDENT ATTENDANCEAND ABSENCE POLICY

(Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information)

Attendance Requirements & Tier 4 VisaComplianceAttendance at lectures, tutorials and workshops iscompulsory. Tutorials will be arranged at the start of themodule in such a way as to try to take account of students'other academic commitments. You should note that theattendance requirements apply to the whole of the teachingperiod in each semester, as well as to examination periods. Inparticular, students from overseas should note thatdifficulties in obtaining travel reservations are not anacceptable excuse for missing classes. If you have a goodreason for being unable to attend classes, you should inform

the registrar in advance. It is our experience that studentswho miss a significant number of their lectures are verydisappointed by their examination results. Copying someoneelse's lecture notes or, worse, simply obtaining a copy of thehandout is a very poor substitute for attending a lecture andabsorbing its content. It is difficult to recover lost groundbecause lectures build upon one another. If illness preventsyou from attending classes, College regulations require youto present a medical certificate. This should be submitted tothe registrar. If, without good reason, you regularly misslectures or other compulsory classes, or repeatedly fail tohand in assessed work, the college will initiate disciplinaryaction.


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Attendance Requirements & Tier 4 VisaCompliance

Action Plan For Non Attendance

Attendance Monitoring System

Attendance at lectures, tutorials and workshops iscompulsory. Tutorials will be arranged at the start of themodule in such a way as to try to take account of students'other academic commitments. You should note that theattendance requirements apply to the whole of the teachingperiod in each semester, as well as to examination periods. Inparticular, students from overseas should note thatdifficulties in obtaining travel reservations are not anacceptable excuse for missing classes. If you have a goodreason for being unable to attend classes, you should

If a student is absent from college for 3 or more days, areminder will be issued by telephone or email. If no responseis received a second reminder will be issued. No furtherreminders will be issued thereafter and the students detailswill be passed to the Home Office upon failure to attend 10

expected contacts. College will withdraw admission andforfeit the paid tuition fees under these circumstances. Forfurther information please read Terms and Conditions.

The college also keeps detailed records on withdrawnstudents for reporting purposes to the Home Office or anyother regulatory agencies.

West End College London uses paper based and electronicapplications to monitor student attendance. The systemsoperate as follows:- The Database will produce student registers for each

class on daily basis

- The lecturer will call and mark all names of attendanceregister on start and end of lecture.

- These attendance registers will be available for lecturersand the attendance will be marked after 15 minutes in

each and every class. For example if the class starts at 9.00am in the morning the lecturer wil l markthe attendance of the students at 9.15 am

- Students who arrive more than 15 minutes late to theclass will be marked as absent

- Students who fail to attend the class for the full classperiod will be marked as absent

- These Daily attendance registers will be entered in tothe database on daily basis and hardcopies will be kept fora further 6 months

- Once the data has been entered into the database, newRegisters for the forthcoming week will be printed andmade available to the lecturers

All students are expected to maintain minimum 80%attendance in all classes and to be able to provide validreasons for all absences.

There are two categories of absence:authorised and unauthorised. Initially, all absences will beconsidered as unauthorised. In a limited number of cases,absences can be changed from unauthorised toauthorised. Generally, illness is NOT a reason for authorisingabsence. Work experience, attendance at examinations andeducational visits organised by the College will be counted asPresent.

Definitions Of Absence


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Authorised AbsenceThe following categories may be counted asauthorised absence:

Medical appointment that cannot be arranged outside class

time and if notified in advance: evidence such asappointment card/letter required.

! Emergency medical appointments:evidence required, e.g. card confirming appointment.

! Care of family member for whom the student has caringresponsibilities if notified in advance.

! Emergency care of family member for whom thestudent has caring responsibilities, with no priornotification.

! A religious holiday if notified in advance.! Occasional extra-curricular activity at significant level, eg

regional /national, if notified in advance. Evidence isrequired.

! Attendance at a funeral if notified in advance.! Driving test if notified in advance (copy of test letter

required).! Disruption to mode of transport where there is no

alternative arrangement, if student lives more than 3miles away.

! Lateness if there is a valid reason.! For absence to be approved as authorised,! the student must complete a form in advance (if

advanced notification is required, as stated above)orwithin five working days of returning to college.Authorised absence will count as present when studentattendance percentages are calculated.

Unauthorised Absence

Once the attendance records have been entered into thedatabase. NO one will have the right/authority to amendthem.

The following reasons are not considered valid for thepurposes of authorising absence. This list is notexhaustive.

Holidays during term time; job commitments; leisureactivities; family and other celebrations such as birthdays andweddings; babysitting; shopping; driving lessons; regularmedical appointments, e.g. dental check-ups and eyeappointments; illness.

LatenessStudents are expected to arrive promptly for all classes.Students who arrive more than fifteen minutes after the startand who are thereby given an unauthorised absence forthat session, may complete an Absence Form. If there is agenuine reason for lateness, the absence can be consideredfor alteration to authorised absence.

AppealsStudents who wish to appeal against a decision regardingattendance marks may do so in writing to the Principal withinten days of the notification of withdrawal of admission.


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ABSENCE FROM PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATIONS

Professional awarding bodies examinations are held onparticular dates throughout the year. Please register withawarding bodies and apply for examinations for theappropriate series. If, without good reason, you fail to attendan examination for which you are registered, specialpenalties apply. If you are in the first year, you will notnormally be allowed to take the examination until thefollowing year. This will probably delay your study by oneyear. If you have good reason for missing an examination, it isessential that you supply the registrar with documentaryevidence of the reason. This should be done well before theexamination if at all possible. If your absence from theexaminations is condoned, you will be allowed to take the

examination at the next opportunity. The only reasons formissing examinations that are normally condoned are yourown illness or the death of, or sudden serious illness or injuryto, a close relative.We are required to take into account any medical or personalproblems that may have affected a student's performanceduring the course or in the examination. Again, this can onlybe done if the appropriate documentary evidence is suppliedto the registrar. If you are taken ill or suffer an accidentduring, or immediately before, the examination period, youmay be faced with the choice of taking an examinationduring the next series.


The following advice is very simplified. Every case is differentand needs individual consideration. College regulations donot allow you to retake the tuition for a module that you havepassed however; you will be attending tuition for other failedmodules and extra self study in campus to comply withminimum 15 hours per week class based tuition.

Examination Policy

1. You will be charged resit fees for supplementaryexaminations and for resits during a subsequent session.

2. Students are normally allowed up to 1 resit opportunityfor each module. If their Student Visa expires they will requireextension of leave to remain in UK to resit the failed modules.Please ensure that you comply with Immigration laws at alltimes and that you familiarise yourself with UKBA Tier 4student visa rules.

Supplementary/ResitExaminations


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Whether you need help finding a doctor or want to compareoffers on the best student bank accounts, the following

websites are a great place to start.

TEN USEFUL WEBSITES

direct.gov.uk

nhs.uk

student.counselling.co.uk

need2know.co.uk

tfl.gov.uk

From foreign travel advice to contacting your local council,you will find every possible public service you will need on thiswebsite.

If you need help finding a local doctor or dentist or lookingfor health advice, then visit NHS Choices.

This website provides information about the supportavailable to UK university students, parents, families andfriends and helps to locate the appropriate services.

This website is a great source of information, from housingand money issues to travel and health advice. Sign up for theweekly newsletter.

The Transport for London website is great for keeping you upto date with the latest public transport news, as well asproviding a route planner service, online ticket sales and

maps.

thestudentroom.co.uk

nus.org.uk

endsleigh.co.uk

moneysupermarket.co.uk

slc.co.uk

The Student Room is the UKs largest online studentcommunity so you will find other students to chat with,who can offer advice.

The National Union of Students website is full of advice forstudents, from study advice to news on events.

Looking for insurance? Check out Endsleigh for studentinsurance to cover your personal belongings.

Compare offers on dozens of things from student bankaccounts to gas and electricity suppliers. See alsoGocompare.com and comparethemarket.com

Need advice about student loans?Contact the student loanscompany with any queries or questions.


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DATA PROTECTION POLICYStudent Obligations

Data Security

Personal Information

Rights To Access Information

- Students must ensure that all personal data provided tothe College is accurate and up-to-date. They mustensure that changes of address etc are notified to the

Registrar

- All staff members are responsible for ensuring that anypersonal data that they hold is kept securely.

- All staff must ensure that personal student information i snot disclosed either orally or in writing or via webpages or by any other means, accidentally or otherwise, t oany unauthorised third party.

- Staff should note that unauthorised disclosure will be adisciplinary matter, and will be considered as grossmisconduct.

- Must be kept in a locked filing cabinet, drawer, or safe; or- If it is computerised, be coded, encrypted or

password protected both on a local hard drive and on anetwork drive that is regularly backed up; and

- If a copy is kept on a diskette or other removable storagemedia, that media must itself be kept in a locked filingcabinet, drawer, or safe.

- All staff, students and other users are entitled to knowwhat information the College holds about them and

- Know how to gain access to it and- Know how to keep it up to date and- Know what the College is doing to comply with its

obligations


- To further explain this policy and in particular the lastthree points above the College will, upon request,

provide all staff and students and other relevant userswith a statement regarding the personal data held about

them. This will state all data the College holds andprocesses about them, and the reasons for which theyare processed.

- All staff, students and other users have a right to accesscertain personal data being kept about them either oncomputer or in certain files. Any person who wishes toexercise this right should complete the relevant RequestForm and submit it to the appropriate designated DataController.

- The College aims to comply with requests for access topersonal information as quickly as possible, but willensure that it is provided within 3 working days.

- During the course of their studies, students will routinelybe provided with information about their marks for bothcoursework and examination by relevant awarding body.

- In many cases, the College can only process personaldata with the consent of the individual. In some cases, ifthe data is sensitive, express consent must be obtained.Agreement to the College processing some specifiedclasses of personal data is a condition of acceptance by astudent onto any course, and a condition ofemployment for staff. This includes information aboutprevious criminal convictions.

Examination Grades

Subject Consent


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Publication Of College Information

Retention Of Data

- The names of Senior Officers and Directors of theCollege or any other personal data relating to employeesor Directors will be published in the annual Calendar andon the web site when any statute or law requires suchdata to be made public.

- Certain items of information relating to college staff willbe made available via searchable directories on thepublic Web site, in order to meet the legitimate needs ofvisitors and enquirers seeking to make contact withappropriate staff.

- The College has a duty to retain personal staff andstudent data for a period of time following theirdeparture from the College, mainly for legal reasons, butalso for other purposes such as being able to providereferences and academic transcripts, or for financialreasons, for example relating to taxation. Differentcategories of data will be retained for different periods o ftime.

- The College also has a duty of care for all staff andstudents and must therefore make sure those employeesand those who use College facilities do not pose a threator danger to other users.

- The College may also ask for information aboutparticular health needs, such as allergies to particular

forms of medication, or any medical condition such asasthma or diabetes. The College will only use this

information in the protection of the health and safety ofthe individual, but will need consent to process this datain the event of a medical emergency.

- Therefore, the application forms that all prospective staffand students are required to complete will include asection requiring consent to process the applicant'spersonal data. A refusal to sign such a form will preventthe application from being processed.Processing sensitive information

- Sometimes it is necessary to process information about aperson's health, criminal convictions, race, and trade

union membership. This may be to ensure that theCollege is a safe place for everyone, or to operate otherCollege policies, such as the Sick Pay policy or the EqualOpportunities policy.

- Compliance with the Act is the responsibility of allmembers of the College. Any deliberate breach of theData Protection policy will lead to disciplinary actionbeing taken or access to College facilities beingwithdrawn, or even to a criminalprosecution.

- Any questions or concerns about the interpretation oroperation of this policy should be taken up with thePrincipal.

Conclusion


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STUDENT WELFARE POLICYThe Student Welfare service is aimed to thosestudents who experience personal problems andhave nobody to talk to. WECL commitment offers:

Who to talk to?

The Quality Assurance Procedures(QAP)

- Someone to listen - and offer confidentiality.- Someone to offer advice and recommends support - and

offer confidentiality.- Someone to give relevant information and offer

confidentiality.- To refer you to a professional counsellor if appropriate.

The Student Welfare service is available to all students whomay be experiencing problems such as difficulties withcoursework, problems settling in, homesickness, bullying,financial difficulties, health issues, family problems, abuse.

The course lecturer, Director of Studies or Principal and, ifappropriate a referral to an outside professional will beoffered.

Quality AssurancePolicyWest End College London will continue to strengthen itsposition as a high quality and innovative education provider.

The Quality Assurance Procedures are intended to build uponexisting good practice within the College and to secure the

best quality of its educational provision. Its key componentscover procedures in respect of


- Proper and efficient student registration- Validating new study schemes- Modifying existing study schemes- Identifying and recommending learning resources

- Monitoring student feedback and support- Recording student progression- Assessing and monitoring teaching- Monitoring and ensuring best staff development

opportunities- Oversight of student welfare

1. All academic and support staff have a responsibility forquality assurance in order to enhance and guard theacademic support given to students.2. The College will continue to recruit accredited tutorial staffto educate and train students, develop programmes andplan courses that are responsive to the changing needs of the

market.3. The College will continue to develop its resources - human,academic and financial - to continually engender anenvironment that remains effective, efficient andprofessional in all its activities.4. The College will continue to comply with standardsapproved by recognised examining Boards.5. The College aims to continually improve teachingstandards and the level of college provision to the learner.This is achieved also through student feedback forms, self-assessment and the student complaints procedure.6. WECL's investment in high quality educational facilitieshelps ensure the possibility of peak performance levels byboth students and staff. Levels of performance andstandards achieved are monitored on an annual basis.

The Quality Policy


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All West End College London students are required to sign acopy of the following declaration, which embodies the collegeregulations for the use of equipment.

REGULATIONS FOR THE USE OF EQUIPMENT

In consideration of being allowed to use thecomputing, laboratory and other facilities provided bythe Department (the resources'), I agree:1. That the resources are for my personal use; they

will not be given or lent to other parties. The useof these resources will be restricted to projectsconcerned with my own studies, research andteaching.

2. To comply with all legal requirements relating tothe use of the resources including, but not limitedto, copyright, defamation, racial and sexualharassment, and obscenity.

3. To comply with all guidance issued to studentsregarding the use of electronic mail and theInternet to access, publish or distribute material.

4. To pay such charges as may be levied from time totime for the provision of specific services.

5. To treat as confidential all information, other thanthat provided or generated by myself, whichbecomes available to me as a result of my use ofthe resources; not to modify, copy or disseminateany part of it without permission; to observe anyspecific restrictions placed on the use of certainfacilities (e.g. software and data), which are statedin any documentation relating to the use of the

facilities

6. Not to use the resources in such a way as to gainunauthorised access to other computer systems

either in the college or elsewhere.7. Not to use the resources in such a way as to

jeopardise the work of other users, the integrity ofthe computing equipment or any stored programsor data.

8. To observe all safety regulations regarding the useof the equipment.

9. That if I have, or develop during my course, anydisability which might affect my safety or thesafety of others during practical work (for

example, epilepsy), I will inform the administrativeoffice so that arrangements may be made for meto carry on my work without danger to myself orothers.

10. To observe the provisions of the Data ProtectionAct and to use the resources to store data coveredby that Act only with the prior agreement of theDepartment.

11. That the college has a substantial interest in anyintellectual property that arises from my use of theresources and that I will report to the college,immediately it comes to my notice, any reasonableprobability of financial or commercial advantage

arising to myself or others out of my use of the


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resources, and abide by any conditions which thecollege may place on the exploitation of such

benefits.12. To indemnify the college against any claims this

may be made against it arising from my use of theresources.

13. To abide by such further conditions concerningthe use of the resources as the Department mayimpose. The College takes no responsibility forthe correct functioning of any equipment orsoftware, nor for the security or integrity of anystored program or data except as required by theData

If, in the opinion of the principal of the College, a user'suse of the resources contravenes any provision in this

agreement, or is in breach of any rules promulgated bythe Department, access to the resources may besummarily withdrawn from that user. Any disputearising from the provisions of this agreement will behandled under the appropriate disputes and appealsprocedure within the college. The attention of users isdrawn to the Computer Misuse Act 1990, whichcreated three new criminal offences: Unauthorised access to programs or data held in a

computer. This includes the case of authorisedusers of a system who obtain access to a part ofthe system which they are not authorised toaccess. To constitute an offence the action must be

intentional;

Protection Act.

Unauthorised access to programs or data held in acomputer, with intent to commit or to facilitate the

commission of a serious crime; Unauthorised modification of data or programs

held in a computer.

Contravention of these regulations can lead to thecollege disciplinary action. Students should notethat the above regulations are in addition to theCollege Regulations relating to the use ofcomputing facilities by students.


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(An abridged copy of Student Code of Conduct, Policies &Procedures and Student Disciplinary Procedures is available onWECL website)

THINGS TO REMEMBER...

I. Purpose:

II. Procedure:

It is recognised that West End College London has theright to protect its educational purpose and itsstudents from the irresponsible conduct of others. Inorder to insure this right, the College finds it necessaryto set forth the following regulations that requirestudent compliance for the welfare of the Collegecommunity.

Students who are alleged to have violated one or moreof the regulations stated in this Code of Conduct may

be charged with the violation(s) in accordance withWest End College London Disciplinary Procedures. ThisCode of Conduct shall apply to all College studentsrepresenting the College at events, whether on or offthe College campuses. The College may exercise itsdiscretion to not officially charge students withviolations of this Code of Conduct in the event thatviable alternatives to Disciplinary action areappropriate. The Student Code of Conduct addressesthe following areas. This list is not exhaustive.

40

1. Academic Dishonesty

2. On Campus Activities And Events

Academic Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to,the following: Cheating in an examination; Receiving help from others in work to be

submitted, if contrary to the stated rules of thecourse;

Plagiarising, that is, the taking and claiming asones own the ideas, writings, or work of another,without citing the sources; submitting workfrom another course unless permitted by theinstructor; stealing examinations or course

materials; falsifying records; Assisting anyone to do any of the above In the

event that students are suspected of classroomcheating, plagiarism, or otherwise misrepresentingtheir work, they will be subject to due, proceduralprocess.

Use of College facilities is prohibited on any of theWest End College London campuses except in an areadesignated by the proper College authority andsubject to any limitations and provisions established byan appropriate College official (i.e., outdoor concerts,

student rallies, outside speakers).


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3. Alcoholic Beverages

4. Arson

5. Assault And/Or Battery

6. Checks With Insufficient Funds

7. College Information Systems AndFacilities

Alcoholic beverages are prohibited at student-sponsored functions.

No student shall commit, or aid in the intentionalcommission of an act which results in a fire beingignited which may cause damage, or is intended tocause damage, to the property of the College or to theproperty of any other person.

No student shall threaten bodily harm or discomfort toanother such as would constitute an assault. Nor shallany student commit, or aid in the intentionalcommitting of an act, which causes bodily harm ordiscomfort to the person of another such as wouldconstitute a battery.

Student shall not make and/or deliver any cheque tothe College that is not supported by sufficient funds ondeposit or is in any way worthless.

Students have the privilege of access and use of theColleges technological resources such as computers,printers networks, Internet, software and instructionallaboratories. Students must utilise these services in anethical and legal manner.

8. Complicity

9. Contracting or Representing In TheName Of The College

10. Damage or Destruction of Property

11. Defamation, Threats, And Extortion

A student present during the commission of an act byanother student that constitutes a violation of Collegepolicy may also be charged if his/her subsequentbehaviour constitutes permission or condoning of theviolation.

Students are prohibited from contracting in the nameof West End College London or claiming to be officialrepresentatives of the College or using the Collegesname, logo or likeness for any purpose including butnot limited to, commercial purposes.

Accidental damage, vandalism, malicious damage toproperty belonging to West End College London orothers may require restitution from personsresponsible for such damage and/or disciplinaryaction.

Verbal or written communication that unlawfullyexposes any individual or group to hatred, contempt,or ridicule, and thereby injures the person, property, orreputation of another, is prohibited. Verbal or writtencommunication that threatens another of a crime oroffence, or threatens injury to the person, property, orreputation of another, or maliciously threatens toexpose another to disgrace, with the intent to extortmoney or other advantage whatsoever, is prohibited.


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12. DisruptionDisruption shall include, but not be limited to, thefollowing: Physical violence or abuse of any person or College-owned or controlled property, or at College sponsoredor supervised functions, or conduct which threatens or

endangers the health or safety of any person. Deliberate interference with academic freedom andfreedom of speech, including not only disruption of aclass, but also interference with the freedom of anyspeaker invited by any section of the Collegecommunity to express his/her views. (Faculty areauthorised to have students removed from class ifwarranted.) Forcible interference with the freedom ofmovement of any guest of the College. Blocking ofentryways to buildings, rooms, or sections ofbuildings, or of hallways, or stairways, in such Fashion that people find it difficult or impossible topass.

Blocking of vehicular traffic; Noisemaking, or other physical behaviour, which isso distracting that it is difficult or impossible toconduct a class, a meeting, or any other authorisedevent. Congregating in such a fashion as to create asituation that could endanger life or property.Incitement to any of the abovementioned actions, orto other violations of College Policy that could result insuch actions, whether orally or through writtenmaterials or pictures.

13. Standards Of Dress

14. Narcotics And Illegal Drugs

15. Misuse Of Emergency Equipment

16. Unauthorised Use Of College Facilities

17. Interference With Academic FreedomAnd Freedom Of Speech

Students must comply with standards of dressestablished for safety or health reasons in specificclasses.

The possession and use of controlled substances bymembers of the West End College London communitymust at all time be in accordance with APPLICABLELAWS.

Fire escapes, ground level fire doors, fire hoses,extinguishers, and alarm equipment are to be usedonly in emergencies. Tampering with, or misuse ofthese emergency devices, or blocking of fire exits orother means of impeding traffic, is prohibited.

The unauthorised use of, or entry into, any Collegefacilities(i.e. classrooms, laboratories etc), whether byforce or not, is prohibited.

Any act which restricts the Lecturer's or anotherstudent's right to speak is prohibited. Any act thatdisrupts the orderly functioning of a class is alsoprohibited.


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18. Gambling

19. Hazing

20. Identification Of Students

21. Providing False Information

22. Public Laws

23. Distribution, Or Sale Of Literature

Gambling of any kind is prohibited.

Hazing means any action or situation which recklesslyor intentionally endangers the mental or physicalhealth or safety of a student for the purpose ofinitiation or admission into or affiliation with anyorganisation under the sanction of the College. Hazingis prohibited.

Students are required to present their identificationcard when requested by Authorised College officials.Any misrepresentation, alteration or misuse ofidentification is prohibited.

No student shall knowingly give false or perjuredtestimony in any College investigation or proceeding.No student shall knowingly give false information to aCollege official or show a reckless disregard for truth.

Any act by a student that constitutes a violation of apublic law, occurring either on or off campus, mayestablish cause for legal and/or disciplinary action bythe College.

Distribution of literature on the campuses must be

processed by the Authorised Officials.

24. Use Of College Mail Services

25. Obeying Reasonable Orders By CollegeOfficials

26. Breach Of Peace

27. Pets

28. Falsification Of Records

Students must receive approval from theAdministration in order to use College mail services.

Students are required to comply with reasonablerequests or orders by authorised College Officials orrepresentatives acting on behalf of the College. Thisrequirement includes reasonable requests for studentsto arrive for appointments in administrative offices andat disciplinary investigations and hearings in a timelymanner.

Conduct or expression on College owned or controlledproperty that disrupts the orderly functioning of theCollege, or which is lewd, indecent or obscene, isprohibited.

Guide dogs or other service animals are permitted onany of the campuses of West End College London , butno other pets or animals of any kind are permitted onany of the campuses without specific approval fromthe appropriate College Official.

Falsification of College records, including, but notlimited to, admission, registration, student disciplinaryand health, and affidavit, by forgery or other means of

deception, is prohibited.


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29. Search And Seizure

30. Smoking

31. Outside Speakers

32. Theft, Unauthorised Possession And/OrSale Of Property

College officials reserve the right to search bag or otherCollege property when deemed necessary to upholdthe basic responsibility of the College regardingdiscipline, safety, and the maintenance of aneducational atmosphere. Contraband items will be

confiscated and may be used as evidence indisciplinary cases. Briefcases, handbags, and othersuch containers may be searched in the library, in the ITLab, and in other places where materials or equipmentare not secure.

Smoking is prohibited in all college facilities; includingbut not limited to, all buildings and portions ofbuildings owned or leased by the college including,without limitation, atria, entry ways and enclosedhallways within buildings as prohibited underapplicable laws.

Speakers may be invited to address a campus audienceby West End College London students. Theseinvitations must be approved by the Management.

Students involved in theft, unauthorised possession,and/or sale of property not belonging to them, aresubject to College disciplinary action as well as to arrestand prosecution by legal authorities. Students are

required to make full restitution.

33. Firearms, Weapons, Fireworks,Explosives

34. Fraud

35. Hazardous, Biological , Other

Substances

36.Fire Drill

No students, except law enforcement officers, mayhave weapons in their possession at any time onCollege property or college-sponsored activities.Weapons are defined as firearms, knives, explosives,

fireworks, materials or any other items that may causebodily injury or damage to property. Students inpossession of a firearm on a campus or at a collegesponsored activity will be automatically suspended.

Students shall not engage in any fraudulent activitiessuch as those that intentionally violate College Policiesand Procedures. (i.e. providing false information ordocumentation to the College)

College students shall not bring onto or dispose ofhazardous, biological, or other substances on orwithin any of the Colleges property that will threatenor affect the health, safety and welfare of the College.

The fire alarm is given by the continuous ringing of thefire bell/siren. When the alarm sounds you shouldimmediately evacuate the building. If you havedifficulty in evacuating unaided, you will be givenspecial instructions.

- close doors behind you

- assemble at the designated assembly point


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- keep well clear of the buildings and access routefor emergency vehicles

- do not re-enter the building until authorised to doso

- practice fire drills will be held throughout the year

The health and safety of student is of fundamentalvalue to the College. We believe that students areentitled to learning that takes place in a safe, healthyand supportive environment. In addition, we considerthat safe learning is essential to maximise studentsexperience and achievement. You are required tofollow all safety rules In College Premises. Please helpus by identifying and reporting any safety hazardsimmediately to a member of college staff.

The College has a number of qualified First Aiders who

can administer simple medical help. Should yourequire first aid assistance, contact Dr.Naeem Aslamwho is a qualified medical practitioner/First Aider. Ifyou require hospital treatment, transportation will bearranged and your next of kin informed. It will be theirresponsibility to arrange for your collection fromhospital and transport home.

In the case of an emergency or a serious incident,contact the College Information desk.

37. Health, Safety & Security

38.First Aid

39. Emergencies

40. ID CardsYou will have been issued with a college ID card. Pleaseremember you are required to wear your ID cards at alltimes on college premises.


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Thank You For Joining



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DisclaimerWhilst every care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this student handbook is correct at the time ofpublication, West End College London accepts no liability for inaccuracies within this handbook and asserts that thepublication of this handbook is not intended to and does not create any contractual or other legal relation between West EndCollege London and its applicants, accepted students, their advisors or any other individual or group. West End CollegeLondon reserves the right to modify the contents of this handbook without prior notice. This student handbook supersedes allother West End College London student handbooks. Please refer to the West End College London website at

www.w-e-c-l.co.uk for more information.


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www w e c l co uk

Foundation Court58 East India Dock Road

London E14 6JE

T: +44 (0) 207 537 3653F: +44 (0) 207 537 3653


WECL Student Handbook

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Transcript of WECL Student Handbook