Student Support

We are here to support you throughout your time with us, both in and outside the classroom. Whether you need advice about financial support, fees, childcare, wellbeing, immigration matters or personal concerns, our dedicated Student Advice Team is available to help in a confidential and supportive environment.

If you would like to speak to a Student Advisor before applying, please email studentadvice@ucg.ac.uk.

Student Advice and Wellbeing

We offer practical help and advice including:

Our Student Advisors can offer you practical help and advice with:

Accessing financial support available at College (including 16-19 Bursary, Free meals in F.E, Discretionary Learner Support Funds and 19+ Advanced Learning Loan Bursary)
Support for Looked After Young People and recent Care Leavers
Pastoral Support
Housing advice and support for young people needing emergency accommodation (Please note, the College does not provide accommodation for students)
Rights, entitlements and support for asylum seekers, immigrants and refugees and people subject to immigration regulations
Domestic violence – emergency advice and referrals to specialist support services
Sexual health – free condoms and referrals to specialist services 
Benefits e.g. Job Seeker’s Allowance / Universal Credit

Please note: Our Student Support Officers are not immigration or benefits advisors. They will signpost you to the relevant agencies.

Student advice and wellbeing drop in sessions

	Willesden	Paddington	Maida Vale	Euston
Monday	10am-3pm	10am-3pm	10am-3pm
Tuesday	10am-3pm	10am-3pm
Wednesday	10am-3pm	10am-3pm		10am-3pm
Thursday	10am-3pm	10am-3pm	10am-3pm
Friday	10am-3pm	10am-3pm

Outside of these hours, please send an email to studentadvice@ucg.ac.uk, and a member of the Student Support Team will respond.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Support

At United Colleges Group (UCG), we recognise that students may sometimes face personal, emotional, or mental health challenges that can affect their wellbeing and ability to focus on their studies. The Mental Health and Wellbeing Team is here to support you during these times.

We offer a safe, confidential, and non-judgemental space where you can talk openly about any concerns you may be experiencing. This may include difficulties such as stress, anxiety, low mood, family issues, personal challenges, or feeling overwhelmed with college life.

Our team provides short-term emotional support and guidance, helping you to develop strategies to manage challenges and improve your overall wellbeing. Where appropriate, we can also signpost or refer you to specialist mental health or counselling services outside the college for longer-term support.

Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSAs)

Our trained ELSAs are available to provide additional one-to-one support for students who may need extra guidance around emotional or social challenges. They can help with building coping strategies, confidence, and resilience, ensuring you feel supported throughout your learning journey.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

UCG also has MHFA-trained staff who are skilled in recognising early signs of mental health difficulties. They can provide immediate support, guidance, and referral options to ensure students receive timely help when needed.

Our aim is to help you feel supported so that you can continue to engage with your studies and make the most of your time at UCG.

If you would like to access support or find out more about the service, please contact the Mental Health and Wellbeing Team through Student Services at your campus.

If you have a mental health or wellbeing concern, please email mhwb@ucg.ac.uk

Admissions & Course Information Centre

Admissions & Course Information Centre is a facility offering information, advice and guidance on all aspects of studying at our colleges. Centres are located on the ground floor at both the Willesden and Paddington campuses.

The Centre is open to everyone who would like to find out more about courses and support available. You do not need to be a student to use our services, and no appointment is required for enquiries.

Opening Times

The centres are open five days a week throughout the year except public holidays, staff development days and between Christmas and New Year.

	Willesden	Paddington
Monday	9am-5pm	9:45am – 4.15pm
Tuesday	9am-7pm	9:45am – 4.15pm
Wednesday	9am-7pm	9:45am – 4.15pm
Thursday	9am-7pm	9:45am – 4.15pm
Friday	9am-3.45pm	9:45am – 4.15pm

We offer help and advice on: 

Admission and Course information

Courses on offer and other institutions
Filling out the College’s application form.
Meeting the entry criteria for our courses
Pre-entry advice & guidance to ensure students are applying for the right course.
Attending an Interview Day.
The admissions and enrolment process
How to access support for people with learning difficulties or disabilities.
Access to services such as the Hardship Fund, and Welfare advice.
The next step in a student’s career.
Referral to other services at our colleges or to other organisations if appropriate

For more information, please email admissions@ucg.ac.uk.

Financial Support

If you need financial help while you’re at college, you can apply for a bursary. It can help with things like travel, meals, childcare, and course costs.

You may be able to get support for:

Childcare costs
Travel and transport costs
Free College Meals
Uniforms and course kits
Fees and textbooks
Materials or equipment

Support depends on your personal circumstances and eligibility.

Visit Financial Support for more information.

Careers Advice & Progression

Our Careers Advisors provide confidential and impartial information, advice and guidance to help you plan your next steps.

Support includes:

University (UCAS) applications
Apprenticeship applications
Employment and training opportunities
Further study options
CV writing and interview preparation

If you are considering progressing to another College course, our Course Advisors can also guide you.

Visit Careers Advice for more information.

Enrichment and extra-curricular activities

We have a team of Enrichment workers, who deliver and support our enrichment programme. We offer a range of sport-based activities, and support students who want to get involved in volunteering, becoming College Ambassadors, or take part in the London Citizens programme.

Visit Enrichment for more information.

Personal Tutor

All full-time students are allocated a Personal Tutor who will meet with you regularly to:

Monitor your progress and attendance
Set targets and review achievement
Provide pastoral support
Advise on assessments, exams and course requirements
Explain College policies and expectations

Your tutor is your first point of contact for most concerns.

Care experienced young people

Being care experienced means you have spent time in the care of a local authority. This may include:

Foster care
Residential care
Under a supervision order
In kinship care arrangements

The term is often used interchangeably with “care leaver,” although the latter specifically refers to those who have left care after reaching a certain age.

At UCG, we recognise that care experienced students may face additional challenges when transitioning to college, progressing to higher education, apprenticeships or employment. We are committed to ensuring that every care experienced student has the opportunity to thrive and achieve their full potential.

Our commitment is demonstrated through our signing of the Care Leaver Covenant.

If you are care experienced, or think you may be eligible for additional support, please speak to a member of our Student Support team.

Find out more about our Care Leaver Covenant commitment and Care Leaver Offer.

Young Carers

Young carers (under 18) are usually defined as people who regularly provide emotional and/or practical support and assistance for a family member who is disabled, physically or mentally unwell or who misuses substances.

We understand that caring responsibilities can sometimes make it more difficult to balance college, studying and your own wellbeing.

Our Student Support team is here to make sure you have the support you need to succeed both personally and academically.

Visit Young Carers for more information.

Attendance

To strive for high levels of success, the college operates a strict attendance and punctuality policy.

We expect all students to be on time for and attend all lessons. Student who are late for class will be required to complete a late slip. Teachers monitor lateness and absences and discuss these with students. Persistent lateness or absenteeism could result in students getting a formal warning and may lead to a student being withdrawn or excluded from College.

All bursary payments are dependent on students having a minimum of 85% attendance per week.

If you are unable to come to college, notify your teacher first thing in the morning, via our Absence Reporting System.

If a student has to attend medical, dental or other non- urgent appointments, these should be arranged outside of class time.

Induction

All students take part in an induction at the start of their course. This helps you:

Understand your programme and expectations
Set target grades
Learn about College facilities and support services
Meet tutors and classmates

If you join late, your tutor will ensure you receive the key information covered.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing education and training for all, regardless of ethnicity, gender, gender identity, disability, religion, age or sexual orientation. Our Equal Opportunities Policy is regularly reviewed to ensure it supports all members of our community.

Visit Equality, Diversity & Inclusion for more information.

LGBT+ Support

We actively support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students and staff and have zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind.

Our LGBT+ group meets regularly to promote equality, provide peer support and organise activities. Allies are welcome to join.

For more information, please email: lgbt@cwc.ac.uk

Additional Learning Support (ALS)

Our Additional Learning Support team provides specialist support for students with:

Autism spectrum conditions
Physical or sensory impairments
Mental health difficulties
Medical conditions
Dyslexia and dyscalculia
Emotional and behavioural difficulties

We support students with Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans. If you have an EHC Plan, please declare this on your application so we can arrange a confidential pre-entry assessment.

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments, including exam access arrangements, to ensure you are not disadvantaged.

Visit Additional Learning Support for more information.