Student life at Leicester College

We understand that joining a new college can be a bit daunting, and this is why you have our support available at Leicester College.

We want you to enjoy your time at College and get involved in as many activities as you would like to. Student involvement is important to us and when you enrol at Leicester College, you become part of the community, which encourages student involvement. You will have the chance to have your views heard in the Student Union which is independent of the College and affiliated with the National Union of Students), and also in the day-to-day running of things here.

Students elect representatives for their courses who attend steering group and other meetings. At these meetings, the course reps have the chance to put forward students’ views and then report back.

You will also have the chance to offer honest, anonymous feedback on everything from the quality of teaching to the facilities on offer. We have gathered this information through the National Student Survey (NSS), which creates a national ranking of universities and colleges. We also run internal satisfaction surveys to get a wider range of opinions from students at different levels.

Student Enrichment Team

You can find a range of extra-curricular activities. In addition to our sports enrichment programme and our Student Union-led events, we are fortunate enough to have a Student Enrichment Team (SET).

SET look after the following areas:

  • Active Lifestyles (Sports, Charity Challenges, Outdoor Pursuits) speak to Steve Whittle or Pravin Patel
  • Employability (Industry Visits, World of Work, Mock Interviews, Volunteering)
  • Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (Diversity Programmes, Multi-Faith Chaplaincy)
  • Social Spaces (Relax, Play Games and Meet New People)
  • Student Voice (Student Union, Course Representatives, Events and Committees)

This team is passionate about organising a fantastic calendar of events for you to enjoy. We implement activities that can enrich your life, raise your awareness of the diverse society we live in and give you new experiences. This includes attending workshops, going on trips, getting involved with the local community through volunteering or engaging in charity work. These activities allow you to have fun, enhance your life experience and future employability.

While at College, you will have the chance to visit and participate in fairs and sales taking place in the campus atria, attend seminars and talks by inspirational speakers, and sample our legendary samosas. We also organise plenty of fun activities away from campus, too – and the cost is usually subsidised, making these trips really affordable. Past activities have included ice skating trips, visits to Christmas markets, climbing Snowdon, a private tour of the Houses of Parliament, visiting the Slavery Museum in Liverpool, and a day out at Alton Towers. We have always got something planned, and we raise money for charity with bake sales, too.

SET are also responsible for each of the city centre campuses’ social spaces, which are dedicated areas where students can relax, play video games, and use computers.

For further information please contact the Student Enrichment Team.

Where can you find us?

Abbey Park Campus – A Block 2.19

Freemen’s Park Campus – A Block LG 0.16

St Margaret’s – 1.33

Events and trips

You can catch up with all events and activities we are planning by keeping an eye on our Moodle page.

Student Union

The Student Union is run by students for students. The ‘executive’, as they are known, are voted into their positions by fellow learners twice yearly.

A major part of their role is learner representation, giving learners a voice and ensuring that their views are heard, shared, and acted upon appropriately by our leadership team. To this end, the Union has seats on the governors’, health and safety, equality, and diversity, FEQSI and HEQSIC committees.

There are currently 22 executive posts that include the President, Women’s Officer, Welfare Officer, International Students’ Officer and Campaigns Officer, to name just a few.

There is more to Student Union life than just meetings and committees, though, as we also run successful campaigns, awards, Keep The Beat, and trips to Alton Towers, Go Ape etc.

The Union also works on national initiatives in partnership with the National Union of Students (NUS) and other external agencies. Internally the Union works with SET (Student Enrichment Team) to both support and promote their agenda.
In short, the Student Union here at the College is a vibrant, energetic, and progressive movement you can be involved with that mirrors the College’s values of diversity, inclusion, and equality. It will certainly broaden your horizons!

Come along and get involved!

Become a Student Ambassador

While you study at the College you can have the chance to be come a student ambassador and potentially earn up to £100 or more in gift vouchers throughout the year, subject to how many marketing events and activities you take part in. It is on a first come first serve basis from event to event so you need to move fast. To get involved you can see posters around the College or ask to be introduced to someone in the Marketing Team. 

Get involved: 

  • Social Media  
  • College Events 
  • Marketing 
  • Livestreams 
  • Feature in TV ads and videos 
  • Photography Shoots 
  • College Promotion 
  • Case Studies 
  • Surveys 

ASPIRE (Advice and Support to Promote Independence and Resilience for Everyone)

Introduction to ASPIRE 

ASPIRE (Advice and Support to Promote Independence and Resilience for Everyone) is team at Leicester College providing support to all students.  

What we do 

At ASPIRE we work together with students to offer support if their mental health is having an impact on their life at College. 

We provide one-to-one mental health support, group support, workshop and signpost to other services within and outside College. 

We also offer students opportunities to connect and engage in social activities. 

If you would like some advice or if you are worried about your own or someone else’s mental health, please contact us. 

Who we are 

  • Alessandra Perugini – Mental Health and Wellbeing Coordinator  
  • Petra Cronogue – Learning Mentor  
  • Angela Alexander – Student Enrichment and Social Engagement   
  • Vina Radia – Counsellor and Mental Health Worker
  •  

What is coming up 

  • Developing Resilience & Assertiveness Workshop 
  • Mindfulness Workshop 

For more information and to book your place, please visit your Moodle.

How to get in touch 

aspire@leicestercollege.ac.uk 

Student discount card and other benefits

TOTUM card

When you are a student at Leicester College, you have the opportunity to get a TOTUM card and use their app to have access to over 200 UK discounts. That includes Amazon, Odeon, ASOS and many more. It is the new name for the NUS extra student discount card and your TOTUM membership opens up a world of fantastic student discounts, offers and vouchers on your everyday essentials, must-have gear and luxury items.

Office 365 

All students at Leicester College get free access to the full Office 365 suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneDrive. All IT at the college is accessed using your student email address. Please do not forget the dot when you are logging into your college Office 365 and Moodle accounts. Remember the format – studentid@my.leicestercollege.ac.uk

Facilities 

You also, of course, have access to all of the College’s facilities including our nurseries, sports, libraries, multi-faith chaplaincy and refectories and cafes.

 

Behaviour

We want the College to be a safe, calm, and ordered environment that promotes a positive, respectful, and inclusive culture for all. We expect all students to attend sessions and be on time and behave responsibly; the same as you would be required to in the workplace. To support this, students are expected to abide by the 6Ps of Student Positive Behaviour, these are:

  • Polite: behave responsibly, treating all other members of the College, its buildings, and its equipment with respect.
  • Present: attend all classes and other required learning sessions.
  • Positive: listen to the views of others and treat everyone with respect.
  • Punctual: be on time for all classes and learning sessions.
  • Professional: comply with all relevant College policies, regulations, and procedures and dress appropriately for your setting.
  • Prepared: to learn, work diligently and to the best of your ability.

 

Online study

You will be given access to ProPortal/My Plan once you have enrolled. This allows you to find information easily about your progress, student reports etc. You will also have access to Moodle – our Virtual Learning Environment, where you can catch up on emails and check work that has been set, among other things.