Student services centre

This is your one-stop shop to help guide you through your time with us, from that initial enquiry phone call through to registration, graduation and beyond.

We aim to make your life easier, take away the potential minefield of queries, worries and concerns you may have, and give you all the support and advice you many need.

Student Services Centre opening times

In line with COVID-19 guidance from the Scottish Government, the Student Services team will continue to provide support remotely for all student guidance issues, including safeguarding concerns. All queries for current students should contact Heather Henderson and Nicole Hyslop.

The Student Services Centre is open:

Room C108 is available if a computer is required outwith the Student Services Centre opening hours:

New students

Pre-start and induction, new students can access our VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) as a guest by selecting the 'preview' button.

Cosy and comfortable it’s the ideal place to access further information about a wide range of topics including:

• Part-time paid employment vacancies
• SAAS (HE Funding)
• Further and Higher Education
• UCAS applications
• GAP year information
• Course progression
• How to be become a class representative
• Careers advice for pre-college, current and exiting college students
• Employability and citizenship
• CV preparation
• Job application forms
• Interview techniques
• Volunteering opportunities

Finance

The good news is that depending on your personal circumstances there are a wide range of bursaries, grants and allowances available to fund your college studies. Our Student Finance Advisors can advise you on all aspects of, from tuition fees and bursaries to help with housing, childcare and travel costs. The depends upon what you will be studying with us, how you choose to study, as well as your personal circumstances.

If you’ve got any financial concerns regarding your course before you start, or you need help with the funding application forms, including our Bursaries, Education Maintenance Allowances, Childcare Funds, Hardship Funds or SAAS funding for Higher Education courses then please do not hesitate to contact us or drop into Student Services.

Online FE and HE funding application

To apply for your Further Education EMA, Bursary, Childcare or Discretionary Hardship Funds OR to apply for your Higher Education Discretionary Hardship, Childcare Fund (including Lone Parent Childcare Grant Application), you must first have:

• Accepted your unconditional offer of a place on the course, and
• Received a letter/e-mail with your Login and password

If you have these please log into the UHI Student Journey site.

If you are unsure what is involved, then take a look at the video below which takes you through the process step-by-step.

Student guidance

Our Student Guidance Service is run by a supportive and friendly team who are here to ensure that your time here is as enjoyable and successful as possible.

We aim to answer any queries you may have, whether it’s help with your course choice, progression accommodation, advice on career and employment opportunities, or perhaps you have concerns about your health or a personal relationship. No matter what the issue is, our door will always be open, and you can relax in the knowledge that you’re in a safe and confidential environment. We also offer a College Counselling service where you can be referred by the guidance staff.

For all these services please contact Student Services in the first instance on Student.Services.moray@uhi.ac.uk or telephone 01343 576354 or 576265.

You can also view our Guidance Services poster.

Careers advice

Our Student Guidance Service is run by a supportive and friendly team who are here to ensure that your time here is as enjoyable and successful as possible.

We can help you

• find a career that matches your skills, interests and abilities
• choose an appropriate course for your chosen career
• plan your future career through and beyond college.

We aim to answer any queries you may have, whether it’s help with your accommodation, advice on career and employment opportunities, or perhaps you have concerns about your health or a personal relationship. No matter what the issue is, our door will always be open, and you can relax in the knowledge that you’re in a safe and confidential environment. Drop in to Student Services or arrange an appointment with our guidance staff.

Alternatively you may wish to contact the local Career Service Skills Development Scotland in Elgin - t: 01343 548884 or Moray College UHI students, studying HNs or degrees, can contact the UHI Careers centre.

• UHI Careers Centre
  For all Moray College UHI students who are studying at higher Education level.
• Employment4students
  A student jobsite with current part time jobs, holiday jobs, gap year information and other recruitment advice.
• Jobcentre Plus
  Jobcentre Plus has replaced Employment Services and the Benefits Agency. The site offers help and advice for jobseekers and on benefits and links to related agencies.
• SQA - Scottish Qualifications Authority
  The Scottish Qualifications Authority offers information on a wide range of qualifications. Different users, for example students, pupils and lecturers, can search different versions of the site.
• The Student Zone (online CV builder and templates)
  CV help, CV templates and a CV Builder from Jobszone. You need to register to use the builder, and then your CV is stored in a database but you can edit or print it off whenever you like.
• Worktrain
  Worktrain offers you a range of vacancies, learning opportunities and voluntary work, and clear information on a wide variety of occupations
• STV jobs
  STV jobs allows you to browse over 2500 vacancies for part time jobs whilst attending college or for that first step on the career ladder
• Skills development Scotland’s, interactive website
  This will give you access to a range of possible career options and associated pathways to get there

Employability and personal development planning (PDP)

We can help students to learn more about themselves and enhance and complement what they are doing in their academic studies. Each learner is supported to consider how prepared they are for employment. These skills are developed along with job search skills relating to application and interview process, helping each learner to more effectively target and prepare for the employment market.

We can help with

• Part-time paid employment vacancies
• SAAS (HE Funding)
• Further and Higher Education
• UCAS applications
• GAP year information
• Course progression
• How to be become a class representative
• Careers advice for pre-college, current and exiting college students
• Employability and citizenship
• CV preparation
• Job application forms
• Interview techniques
• Volunteering opportunities

Mental health and wellbeing support

Adjusting to life as a student; dealing with coursework, exams and being away from home for the first time can be potentially stressful and may also intensify any pre-existing conditions. Being a student can also be very beneficial for our wellbeing; keeping us connected to peers and friends, expanding our knowledge and our opportunities and provides structure and routine to our days.

We offer a variety of support for you to consider when it comes to looking after your wellbeing. Often, stressors in our lives can be resolved with some practical guidance and welfare advice. These are available to students with a range of emotional, psychological, personal, or mental health difficulties.

• Reach out to Student Services who can offer counselling, mental health support, personal learner support plans (PLSPS), ongoing support and linking you to a specialist organisation such as the Moray Wellbeing Hub.
• You may ask for support through your PAT or other academic tutors, they can advise you on academic issues and signpost you to available support.
• If you are staying in one of our Halls of Residence you may need ask for support through the Residence teams. Further information and contact details are available in your halls of residence.
• HISA, our Students Association is always happy to help. HISA offer support to all students around a range of issues and can help to talk over any of your difficulties together with signposting you to those that can help further. HISA also host a range of sporting events and activities and can let you know what is happening at your campus.

You also have access to Togetherall, a 24/7 mental health support service which provides you with access to an online support community, self-help resources and a place to air how you are feeling anonymously. To join, simply sign up with your university (@uhi.ac.uk) email address.

There is also a Health and Wellbeing Facebook page which offers a wealth of support, advice and information around all matters related to wellbeing and student life.

Counselling service

There are times as a student when life can be challenging. You may be faced with difficulties and need to seek out personal advice for a variety of reasons. Our College Counselling Service offers you a professional and friendly place to go in order to discuss your problems further and receive support and assistance.

You can make an appointment with one of the Student Guidance Staff and, from here, you’ll be put in touch with a counsellor for discrete and confidential advice.

For more information email: student.services.moray@uhi.ac.uk

Care leavers

Entering college can be a daunting experience for any student but in particular for care leavers who may not have the same support structures at home to help them through as other students do. However, if a student lets us know that they are a care leaver then we can assist in helping them through their time at college. We can help you get financial support and advice, help you settle into college life as well as a range of other things in between.

You can also read our Care Leavers code of practice and Handbook for Care Leavers.

Young Carers

The Young Carer Grant is a new yearly cash payment of £300 for 16-18 year olds which carers can spend as they choose. Young carers can claim if they are at school, in further education, employed or unemployed and may be eligible if they meet all of the following criteria:

• they live in Scotland
• they are 16, 17 or 18 years of age when applying
• caring for an average of 16 hours per week, over a 13 week period
• care for someone normally paid a qualifying disability benefit
• they have not applied for or receive Carer’s Allowance
• they are not paid or volunteer to care

Apply online at https://www.mygov.scot/benefits/ or through a Freephone helpline at 0800 182 2222, open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm. A paper application is also be available and can be requested via the helpline or downloaded direct from the website.

For more information see the Young Carer Grant Factsheet

Study support

Your personal success is very important to us and our Learning Resource Centre is here to ensure that you make the most of your potential and offers a range of learning support services, including:

• Study skills, for example referencing, essay writing, revision techniques
• Dyslexia support
• Reading, writing, spelling and grammar
• Basic numeracy, communication and IT
• Numeracy and communication support groups
• General English for ESOL students

Our Learner Support Team work closely with disabled students to put together the appropriate support that you need.

Find out more