Student Services and SEND Support

Colchester Institute has a wide range of support services. These are available to help you with the practicalities of life as a student, as well as planning for your future career.

Whether you are still at school, have been working for a number of years or are returning to your studies after a long break, going to college is exciting. However, it can also be confusing and may mean changes to your lifestyle. Colchester Institute’s Student Support Services are designed to help you make the most of your time here.

Our Additional Learning Support team can support in a variety of ways. The most important thing is that we know about your learning needs at an early stage so we can ensure the necessary support is in place for you.

We pride ourselves on the support provided to students with SEND needs. We have a dedicated team on hand to support you throughout your time with us. If you have a learning difficulty and / or disability, we encourage you to come and see us as soon as you are thinking of applying for a course. We ask that you declare your need for support on your application form by ticking the appropriate box under the additional needs section.

Our Additional Learning Support team can support in a variety of ways. The most important thing is that we know about your learning needs at an early stage, so we can ensure the necessary support is in place for when you attend an interview and subsequently before you start your programme with us.

We have a range of specialist staff including learning support practitioners (LSPs) who can support students with literacy and numeracy and with study skills. Types of support we can offer include:

• Classroom-based learning support
• Support for Dyslexia and Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs)
• Exam concessions and Access Arrangements
• Note takers and specialist teaching for deaf learners
• A hearing loop facility
• Communication support workers
• Specialist equipment

If you require Exam Access Arrangements these must be declared / requested within the first 6 weeks of a student’s programme of study. Please click here for more information:

Exam Access Arrangements

We ask that you declare your need for support on your application form by ticking the appropriate box under the additional needs section. If you wish to discuss your needs at any point during the application process or during your course, please contact our Additional Learning Support Team by emailing als@colchester.ac.uk or calling us on 01206 712073.

Deaf Access Team

Colchester Institute is committed to supporting deaf students so they can access the full curriculum.

We have a team of professionals to ensure students achieve their full potential. The Deaf Access Team can support a range of deaf students to suit individual requirements.

You can arrange a meeting with the Learning Support Team and tell us what support you require and ask questions.

There are times in everyone’s life when things are difficult. It can sometimes help to talk to someone outside your family and friends who won’t judge you.

We offer a professional counselling service for our students. The service is friendly and confidential and appointments can be made via Student Services.

The Student Services Student Counselling Service is currently open to students studying at Colchester and Braintree sites. If you are studying at any of our other sites please contact 01206 712310.

University Centre Colchester at Colchester Institute also provides separate counselling service to members of the public, which provides access to counselling in Colchester and Clacton-on- Sea.

Good careers advice can make a positive difference to a student’s aspirations and motivation whilst at college. It can be instrumental in increasing their self-confidence and enable them to discover opportunities they never would have considered.

Based at our Colchester Campus, Colchester Institute’s team of careers advisers provide information, advice and guidance to enable their students to make informed decisions about their future and help find the best job or career possible for them. Our advisers have a wealth of experience and hold Level 7 guidance qualifications.

If you are still at school we recommend that you contact your school careers adviser for help about your future pathway.

We know that there are times when you may feel overwhelmed so we have included some useful information in case you might need some extra support out of hours when the College safeguarding and welfare teams are unavailable.