If you don't find the answer to your question here, contact Student Services - we'll be happy to help.
 Will I need qualifications to apply for a College course?- Will I fit in? Am I too old to return to study?
- Does my previous experience count?
- What if I am unsure? Will I have to pay for advice and guidance? Will the advice be fair and objective?
- How will I fund my studies? Will I be eligible for a bursary or a student loan? Will my fees be paid?
- What do the different qualifications mean?
- How will I learn?
- How will I be assessed?
- What happens at the end of my course?
Will I need qualifications to apply for a College course?
Some courses may require entry qualification, some require specific experience and some have minimum age requirements. Details are given in the courses section of the website and in the prospectus. However, many of the courses have no formal entry requirements. A desire to learn and the motivation to achieve are often more important as you will be given the support you need to help you be successful in your studies.
At the pre-entry guidance meeting, the Admissions Tutor will help you decide which route to qualifications suits your background.
In line with the current educational approach to lifelong learning, mature applicants may gain entry to all courses without the stated entry qualifications.
For courses and careers in Care, all applicants must submit their details for checking by Disclosure Scotland.
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Will I fit in? Am I too old to return to study?
Students at South Lanarkshire College come from a range of backgrounds and ages, bringing different experiences and abilities. Almost 6,000 students study at the College each year and the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed and staff and students have excellent working relationships. The feedback from previous students reflects the level of personal support that they have experienced during their studies. A high percentage of our students come on the recommendation of family, friend or employer. Click here to read what former students have said.
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Does my previous experience count?
The College recognises that many adults - and young people - have skills and knowledge gained from working, community activities, informal study or hobbies. These will be taken into account during your pre-entry guidance interview. In some cases, it may be possible to gain accreditation for prior experience or learning (APEL). If you have extensive work experience relevant to your chosen course of study you should discuss the possibility of APEL with the admissions tutor.
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What if I am unsure?
We do not charge for pre-entry advice and guidance on courses and funding. The members of staff you will meet are trained, friendly and helpful and want to ensure that you make the right decision about your future. They will endeavour to give you all the information you need to make an informed choice on what, when, and how to proceed with your studies and where to apply for funding.
Staff from the Admissions Team will give you information and advice on the range of courses on offer. An Admissions Tutor from the Department in which you plan to study will see you for an informal interview to discuss your aspirations and ensure that you are making the correct choice of course, and to check that you are eligible for the course you have chosen.
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Will I be eligible for a bursary or a student loan? Will my fees be paid?
For the majority of students, student bursaries and loans are the main means of funding College studies. However, for some students - those who have already had funding to study at College or University or who have been unemployed and on benefit for more than six months - other means of funding may be more appropriate.
In May of each year, information booklets and application forms are issued by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) and by the College Bursary Section. These booklets give detailed information on eligibility and levels of funding. If you are still unsure, a member of Student Services will be happy to assist you.
You should discuss funding with the Admissions Tutor during your interview. It is important to ensure that the appropriate method of funding is chosen, relevant to the circumstances of the individual student. For some students, a Government Training Programme such as Get Ready for Work or Skillseekers may be more appropriate. If this appears to be the case, the Admissions Tutor will arrange an interview for you with the College Training & Employment Advisor.
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What do the different qualifications mean?
The Scottish Qualifications Authority, or SQA as it is more commonly known, is the main accreditation body for national qualifications in Scotland. The usual progression route for students is to start at NC/NQ level and progress, if they wish, to HNC then HND level study and then to university to complete a degree. The Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework (SCQF) shows the levels. Further information on the SCQF can be found on the SQA website. www.sqa.org.uk
In addition to SQA qualifications, the College offers qualifications from other awarding bodies - for example, ECDL from the British Computer Society - as well as providing College certification for some non-accredited courses. If you need more information on the course you plan to study, just ask.
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How will I learn?
Most College courses include a practical element and many also include work experience in addition to class teaching. You will also be given projects and assignments to undertake outwith class time and many students make use of the facilities in the College Library and Learning Centres to complete this work.
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How will I be assessed?
Some courses are a mixture of continuous assessment and a final, externally marked exam / graded unit. However, many courses are assessed only on an ongoing basis - continuous assessment - with the assessments being marked and cross-marked internally. The methods of assessment will be made clear to you at the start of each subject.
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>What happens at the end of my course?
If you decide to go on to further study, the College will help with your application and provide a UCAS reference. Information on progression routes to further study is available from Student Services. Careers Scotland provides guidance and advice on career planning. A Jobs Fair is organised in May/June each year and the Higher Education Instutions visit the College to give advice on progression as well as offering information days specially for College students. Students on courses funded by ESF may access support to secure employment from the Employment Advisor in the Training & Employment Team.
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