North East Scotland College

• Location: Aberdeen and Fraserburgh, Scotland
• Age of students: from 16 to 19 years old,
• Type of study: blended,
• Language of instruction: English.

North East Scotland College (NESCol) is the result of the merger of two colleges – Aberdeen College and Banff and Buchan College. This regional college covers a vast area and has two main centres – one in Aberdeen and one in Fraserburgh.

NESCol offers a wide range of courses in three main areas:

1. engineering, science and technology;
2. creative industries, information technology and entrepreneurship;
3. Services.

The college is happy to accept all students regardless of their previous education: they can be schoolchildren, graduates, working professionals or those who are looking to acquire new skills. There is sure to be a suitable course here, the courses offered are presented for all occasions.

Students who join North East Scotland College have the opportunity to choose a programme of study that suits their interests and ambitions. Teachers with extensive experience in their field have all the necessary knowledge and skills to ensure high quality teaching.

One of the main advantages of the educational process at North East Scotland College is its proximity to practical skills. The college actively collaborates with the business community and provides students with the opportunity to gain work experience in real-world projects and ventures. This allows graduates to immediately apply their knowledge in practice, develop their professional skills and be ready for employment immediately after graduation.

All students have access to a wide range of support and accompaniment: the college offers professional assistance in the field of career planning, tutoring services, and provides information about continuing education opportunities.

North East Scotland College does not have its own student accommodation, but there are a number of suppliers and agents, private houses and flats available for rent in the city. Aberdeen is home to a large number of students, accommodation options are in very high demand, so the issue should be taken care of as far in advance as possible.

NESCol publishes a calendar of events each year so students can find out what is being offered to them and when. There are special events for newcomers in September: Freshers is a welcome event on campus, where you'll find information on student support, health and wellness, catering, volunteering and local entertainment venues, student offers, and discounts from local shops and businesses. At NESCol, we really hope that everyone will be able to join the college for this key event on the Student Association calendar.

During the academic year, the Student Association conducts a number of activities promoting health and well-being, equality and diversity, and general social activities.

The student association is always on the lookout for promotions and benefits for students: they tend to be posted on social media.

At the college, it is very important that students have a positive social experience, and as such, the staff actively supports the creation and management of various clubs and groups on campus that reflect the interests of students. These groups are led by students for students: game clubs, music circles and a socialist society have already been opened.

North East Scotland College has 4 main campuses:

1. Aberdeen Altens Campus. The campus building has been designed and landscaped to provide a variety of social areas that are vital to the life of any modern educational campus. The campus is home to construction and automotive workshops, engineering workshops, a top-floor restaurant overlooking the sea, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and more.
2. Aberdeen City Campus. The city campus is located in the heart of Aberdeen city centre, within walking distance of shops, restaurants, bars and cafes. The building is modern, with classrooms and a wide range of social areas. Aberdeen City Campus includes: a television studio, lounges, a restaurant, computing labs, science labs, a theater studio on the ground floor, art workshops.
3. Fraserburgh Campus. The vibrant and modern campus provides fantastic facilities for NESCol students, staff and visitors. It is equipped with a stunning atrium, special rooms, a fitness room, hairdressers and beauty salons, Campus Cafés.
4. Scottish Maritime Academy. The academy offers education in the merchant marine and fishing sector – for both beginners and experienced sailors who want to brush up on their knowledge and/or take it to the next level. Scottish Maritime Academy is an approved education provider for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the Association of Maritime Colleges of Electronics and Radio, the Royal Yachting Association and Seafish. It is a specialized center where students have access to: an ECDIS suite with 1-on-1 workstations, a Transas simulator with 3 bridges, a radio simulation room, a network room, a chart room, and a library. There is a café on site that serves a variety of hot and cold snacks and lunches.

The academic year at North East Scotland College lasts 10 months and is divided into three trimesters: autumn, spring and summer. The school year starts in September and ends in June. To ensure sufficient time for rest and recovery, there are holidays between trimesters.

Additional costs:

• Registration fee,
• Visa fees,
• Migration
• Transfer
• Residence
• Nutrition
• Personal Accident Insurance,
• Medical insurance,
• Educational materials and stationery,
• State exams,
• Overalls
• Excursions and activities,
• Personal expenses.

The application process at North East Scotland College may vary depending on the type of study programme chosen. The main steps of the application process are:

• Find the course you are interested in,
• Fill out the online form,
• Attend the NWRC Open House,
• Track the status of the application,
• Pass an interview or audition,
• Accept the offer of a place,
• Upload the required documents that will be requested by the college,
• The education starts in September.

When filling out the application, the candidate will be asked a number of questions:

• Is he a British citizen,
• Address and contact details,
• Education or qualifications,
• A little story about myself.

North East Scotland College has about 21,000 students, many of whom are foreigners.

North East Scotland College works closely with leading universities to offer high quality programmes and align courses to ensure a smooth transition for students. Thanks to the close cooperation of the college with universities, students who have successfully completed HND programs (in some cases, HNC) can move on to the second or third year of university.

NESCol has long-term agreements with prestigious universities in Scotland, including Robert Gordon University (RGU), University of Aberdeen, and others. NESCol students can choose from more than 50 programs provided by RGU.

Partnerships with universities are an integral part of NESCol's educational and career strategy: this is how the college strives to provide its students with maximum opportunities for their successful development and achieving their goals.

All international students applying to North East Scotland College must be fluent in spoken and written English – the candidate must provide evidence of English language proficiency. The college accepts a number of internationally recognised English language certificates and qualifications:

• International English Language Test (IELTS),
• Cambridge (e.g. PET, FCE or CAE),
• TOEFL,
• City & Guilds.

Most NESCol students receive funding to pay for their tuition fees. In addition, students are eligible for assistance with the cost of living and travel expenses during their studies. Depending on personal circumstances, additional arrangements are also available, including childcare and discretionary funding for those facing financial hardship.

The main difference in what type of funding a student may qualify for will depend on the level of the course they are studying.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision