1. Higher
You don’t have to
go far to go higher...
Stay local... choose Higher Education at Bournville College
2. Message from the Principal
Thank you for considering Bournville College for your Higher Education. We hope
that you will join hundreds of students who choose us every year as a route to
achieving their dreams, without breaking the bank.
By studying at Bournville College, you will benefit from:
• A stunning state-of-the-art £66 million campus
• Excellent location, with good transport links and parking
• Supportive and friendly tutors, with a wealth of academic and professional experience
• Smaller group sizes and closer personal support
• Specialist facilities for Higher Education students
• Affordable fees and financial support
We know that committing to study at a higher level is sometimes a difficult decision to make.
That’s why our staff are with you every step of the way. Just take a look at what some of our students
say – we hope that you will share their success in a few years!
This folder contains plenty of information regarding your chosen course and the support you will receive.
However, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on 0121 477 1300 or email
highereducation@bournville.ac.uk.
My colleagues and I look forward to welcoming you to Bournville College.
Norman M Cave
Principal
3. Facilities
Our new campus is one of the most technologically advanced colleges in the country. It was purposely
built to meet the needs of a modern student, offering you an environment which reflects industry
standards, giving your career the best possible platform for success.
Learning Zone
We recognise that everyone learns in different ways, which is why our Learning Zone has been designed
to accommodate every learning style. Features include:
• An informal study area with over 100 laptops and mobile learning devices available
• Over 200 computer stations
• Hundreds of books, journals and online learning materials
• Seminar rooms, ideal for group projects
• Quiet study zone
• 40-seat cinema with surround sound and 3D technology
Higher Education Centre
All higher education students are based in our dedicated higher education centre, giving you an
opportunity to mix with like-minded people. The resources available in the centre are specifically chosen
to meet the needs of higher education students.
4. Student support
Every student at Bournville College is treated as an individual and that includes providing individual
support tailored to their needs. You will be assigned a personal tutor at the start of your course.
This person will give you one-to-one support and encouragement throughout your studies as well
as point you in the right direction if you need further support and advice.
You can access a wide network of support at the College, for example:
• Careers advice
• Counselling
• Financial support and welfare advice
• Reasonable adjustments for learners with disabilities and assistance with co-ordinating
externally funded support
Much more than a place to study
When you join us, you get much more than a learning experience. There is a whole range of
extra-curricular activities to ensure you get the most out of your time with us. We have a dedicated
Student Activities Team who organise and manage a calendar of social events which you’re welcome
to participate in.
During stressful times, you can treat yourself at Urban Serenity beauty salon or Urban Elegance
hair salon, where qualified staff will help you melt your cares away. Urban Flavours restaurant offers
contemporary dining which is perfect for those special moments worth celebrating. Our on-site
gym, Urban Fitness, features over 70 exercise stations, a steam room and a sauna and is available
to Bournville students at a discounted price.
5. Student finance
Note – information in this section applies to UK residents only – international students should contact
the International Office on +44 (0) 121 477 1600 or international@bournville.ac.uk.
University tuition fees Vs College tuition fees
From September 2012, UK universities and colleges can charge students from England:
• up to £9,000 a year for new full-time students
• up to £6,750 a year for new part-time students
Full-time students have to pay back any loans plus interest once they leave their course and start earning
more than £21,000 a year. Part-time students who earn over £21,000 a year have to start paying back
their loans after four years, even if their course hasn’t finished.
By coming to study a higher education course at Bournville College, you will be able to avoid increased
university fees as described above. We pride ourselves on being able to offer lower tuition fees on our
higher education courses, making higher education a much more affordable study option for many
people. Our tuition fees range from course to course – please ask us about the tuition fee of the course of
your choice when you enquire.
Financial help
To cover the costs of studying with us, you can apply for:
• a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your tuition fees in full
• a Maintenance Loan for living costs like rent (full-time students only)
• a Maintenance Grant (depending on the level of household income - full-time students only)
• extra financial help if you have a disability or children or adults depending on you
Only full-time students can get Maintenance Loans and Maintenance Grants for their living costs.
New part-time students are able to apply for a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of tuition in full. For the
first time part-time students (provided it’s their first degree and they’re studying at least 25% of a full time
course) will no longer need to find the cash up front as they’ll be eligible for tuition fee loans on exactly the
same basis as full-time students (part-time students won’t be eligible for maintenance loans or grants).
Students with disabilities requiring additional learning support will need to apply for the Disabled Students’
Allowance via Student Finance England.
How to apply for the financial help
You will need to apply online via Student Finance England or you can contact them for an application
form. Any grants and loans for living costs will be paid directly into your bank or building society account,
usually in three instalments.
You do not need to wait until you receive an offer of a place before you apply for financial support.
Please be aware that in order to be eligible for funding, you must apply within nine months of commencing
your course.
Find out what you’re entitled to and get a personalised quote online by using the online student finance
calculator. To use the calculator, go to www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinancecalculator.
Further information can be obtained from www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance and from Bournville
College’s Welfare Advisor available on 0121 477 1306 or hefinance@bournville.ac.uk.
6. Student testimonials
Yi Ni Fan
HND Business
Highlight:
I particularly enjoyed group work and classroom activities. They gave
us a great opportunity to share our views and opinions on a particular
subject. As an international student, I always felt very welcome at
Bournville College.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my course. Teachers were always
helpful and didn’t hesitate to lend a helping hand when
needed. I am confident that I’m now fully equipped with
business knowledge which will enable me progress my
studies to a university level
Geoff Brunt
CMI Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management
Highlight:
Career promotion to become the Terminal Maintenance
Manager at Birmingham Airport
CMI Diploma in Leadership & Management Diploma is a
qualification that has assisted me to unpack hidden skills and
abilities to a level whereby I have discovered a rejuvenated
appetite and passion for even more knowledge. I am now
completing an MA in Business Management at the University
of Worcester and look forward to continuing using my skills
and knowledge at work
Varine Kelly
Diploma in Teaching in Lifelong Learning Sector (DTLLS)
Highlight:
Progressing from a hairdressing course onto a teaching qualification
which has led to a job opportunity of becoming a Trainee Assessor in
Hairdressing at Bournville College.
If you’re enthusiastic about your goal, Bournville has all
the right support packages to guide you in the right direction.
After finishing my hairdressing qualifications, I was encouraged
to consider a new career path of teaching which I was able
to develop on the DTLLS course. My teaching career is now
taking off and I can finally see myself doing the job I love