UCS Bury St Edmunds

UCS Bury St Edmunds is located at the site of West Suffolk College, an established centre for Higher Education with a twenty year pedigree. 

The Bury St Edmunds Centre delivers a range of courses to the local community and beyond, having its own unique identity and offering a friendly atmosphere in which to study.  

There are HNCs, a wide range of career-related Foundation degrees, which combine work with studying as well as Honours degree programmes.  

Widening Participation in Higher Education

Increasing access to higher education is of great importance to UCS Bury St Edmunds.  Our foundation degrees cover subject areas not usually found in mainstream universities, offering exciting opportunities for students who previously would not have considered studying for a degree.

We also offer successful Access to Higher Education courses that have opened up the possibility of degree level qualifications to many students who did not believe they could ever achieve at university level. 

Outstanding teaching and learning

We have a very strong commitment to student achievement and this is shared by all staff, whether academic or support staff. There is comprehensive tutorial support in place, highly qualified teachers and rigorous quality improvement systems which apply to all areas of learning. These are based on honest and self critical assessment of performance and detailed planning to achieve further improvement.

Teaching and learning is delivered through three Faculties, the Faculty of Business, Art and Service Industries, the Faculty of Humanities and Health and the Faculty of Technology and New Media.

Visiting Professors and Senior Fellows provide a range of expertise to the five Schools at UCS. They contribute to research, enterprise and teaching and learning within their specialised field at UCS – and greatly enhance the academic profile of the institution.

Visiting Professors and Senior Fellows provide a range of expertise and contribute to research, enterprise and teaching and learning within their specialised field. At UCS Bury St Edmunds we have two, Professor Phil Race| and Professor Julia Hobsbawn|.

New developments

Recent and continuing investment ensures that the facilities are among the best in the region. West Suffolk College is developing its existing facilities and buildings through a number of improvement schemes which will make the most of the College's estate.  A new Further Education building is under construction and is expected to open in September 2013 which will allow for the development of Suffolk House as a fully Higher Education Building. The College has also invested a substantial amount on refurbishments across the College. 

Pastoral and Financial Support

Student Welfare staff are on hand to help students with any difficulties they may encounter during their studies. The Student Welfare Manager and Officers offer advice and support on a wide range of emotional and practical issues including student finance and financial hardship, that can affect students when they are at university. A Student Counselling Service is available to offer support to all students.

The Student Welfare Office is located off the Library and is open 8.30am-5.00pm Mon-Thu, 8.30am-4.30pm Fri and can be contacted on 01284 716319.

All students registered at UCS Bury St Edmunds are eligible to apply for support from the WSC Educational Opportunity Trust, an independent charity founded in December 2008 with donations from former students and local employers. The Trust aims to assist students to enhance their educational experience and overcome difficulties that may prevent them from achieving their full potential. These could range from buying textbooks or specialised tools or materials or a more extensive need such as contributing towards the cost of a field course or voluntary service, here in the UK or overseas. It is important to note that grants from the Trust will normally not be made in cases where funds can be accessed from other sources such as maintenance grants, access funds or state benefits.

UCS Bury St Edmunds’ students can also take advantage of the Student Support facilities available on the main Ipswich Campus.

Student Life at UCS Bury St Edmunds

Studying at UCS Bury St Edmunds, you will get to experience being a student against the backdrop of the beautiful town of Bury St Edmunds. Not only pretty and picturesque, Bury St Edmunds is fast-becoming one of the liveliest towns in East Anglia for all recreational pursuits.

Music

Once described by the Late John Peel as ‘The New Seattle’, Bury St Edmunds has always enjoyed a thriving music scene both from within its own ranks and inviting others. The opening of the apex in 2010 has given the town a purpose built venue to host bands from a number of genres including Mumford and Son, Funeral for a Friend and The Levellers to name but a few. There are also regular acoustic sessions in the upstairs bar. As well as the apex, Bury St Edmunds has a number of smaller live venue such as The Hunter Club and The LP. During the summer, the Abbey Gardens holds its own music festival ‘Abbeyfest’ which features themed music nights.

Once described by the Late John Peel as ‘The New Seattle’, Bury St Edmunds has always enjoyed a thriving music scene both from within its own ranks and inviting others. The opening of the apex in 2010 has given the town a purpose built venue to host bands from a number of genres including Mumford and Son, Funeral for a Friend and The Levellers to name but a few. There are also regular acoustic sessions in the upstairs bar. As well as the apex, Bury St Edmunds has a number of smaller live venue such as The Hunter Club and The LP. During the summer, the Abbey Gardens holds its own music festival ‘Abbeyfest’ which features themed music nights.

Shopping

Bury St Edmunds has an eclectic array of shops for the discerning shopper. The opening of The Arc on the site of the old cattle market has become a hub for high-street giants such as Debenhams, Topshop and H&M, while the pretty side-streets just off the town centre provide a plethora of independent retailers with some very interesting specialisms ranging from extreme sports to real ales.

Bury St Edmunds has an eclectic array of shops for the discerning shopper. The opening of The Arc on the site of the old cattle market has become a hub for high-street giants such as Debenhams, Topshop and H&M, while the pretty side-streets just off the town centre provide a plethora of independent retailers with some very interesting specialisms ranging from extreme sports to real ales.

Comedy, Theatre and Film

In the last year, Bury St Edmunds has been visited by high-profile comedians such as Russell Brand and Tim Minchin. Bury St Edmunds’ biggest regular comedy night, The Fat Cat Comedy Club is held once a month at the apex. Benson Blakes also put on their own comedy nights once a month providing an intimate atmosphere for both professional comedian and open mic nights. The Theatre Royal provides a wide range of shows from traditional theatre to music, comedy and dance. The Theatre itself has an interesting history, originally opened in 1819, it is one of the oldest of its type in the country; backstage tours of this fascinating building are held frequently. If you like films, Bury St Edmunds has two cinemas. Cineworld is an 8 screen multiplex cinema with adjacent restaurants and often run discounts for midweek showing while the Abbeygate Picturehouse on Hatter Street is a comfortable two-screen cinema showing films away from the mainstream.

In the last year, Bury St Edmunds has been visited by high-profile comedians such as Russell Brand and Tim Minchin. Bury St Edmunds’ biggest regular comedy night, The Fat Cat Comedy Club is held once a month at the apex. Benson Blakes also put on their own comedy nights once a month providing an intimate atmosphere for both professional comedian and open mic nights. The Theatre Royal provides a wide range of shows from traditional theatre to music, comedy and dance. The Theatre itself has an interesting history, originally opened in 1819, it is one of the oldest of its type in the country; backstage tours of this fascinating building are held frequently. If you like films, Bury St Edmunds has two cinemas. Cineworld is an 8 screen multiplex cinema with adjacent restaurants and often run discounts for midweek showing while the Abbeygate Picturehouse on Hatter Street is a comfortable two-screen cinema showing films away from the mainstream.

Sport and Leisure

UCS Bury St Edmunds' main campus is situated adjacent to the Abbeycroft Leisure Centre which offers a whole range of fitness fun including a fully equipped gym, swimming pool and other sports including badminton, squash, table tennis and basketball. For those who prefer a more holistic approach to fitness, there is The Self Centre on Moreton Hall, specialising in yoga, pilates, Tai Chi and meditation. The Bury St Edmunds Skatepark provides a place for BMXers, bladers and boarders to showcase their skills.

UCS Bury St Edmunds' main campus is situated adjacent to the Abbeycroft Leisure Centre which offers a whole range of fitness fun including a fully equipped gym, swimming pool and other sports including badminton, squash, table tennis and basketball. For those who prefer a more holistic approach to fitness, there is The Self Centre on Moreton Hall, specialising in yoga, pilates, Tai Chi and meditation. The Bury St Edmunds Skatepark provides a place for BMXers, bladers and boarders to showcase their skills.

Eating and drinking

Over the last few years, Bury St Edmunds has developed quite a cafe culture with wide range of high street chains and independents. For those wanting a meal out, there is a wide range of cuisines available from high-end restaurants to traditional pub meals. With the Greene King brewery located in the town centre, Bury St Edmunds is heartland for pub culture. Many of Bury’s pubs have stood on their sites for over 200 years and there has recently been a resurgence in the real ale culture with many pubs specialising in local fayre and two brewing their own beer. When studying at UCS Bury St Edmunds, you don’t actually go far for fine cuisine. Our very own Zest The Restaurant, described by Trip Advisor as 'one of Bury St Edmunds' hidden gems' offers a high-class dining experience.

Over the last few years, Bury St Edmunds has developed quite a cafe culture with wide range of high street chains and independents. For those wanting a meal out, there is a wide range of cuisines available from high-end restaurants to traditional pub meals. With the Greene King brewery located in the town centre, Bury St Edmunds is heartland for pub culture. Many of Bury’s pubs have stood on their sites for over 200 years and there has recently been a resurgence in the real ale culture with many pubs specialising in local fayre and two brewing their own beer. When studying at UCS Bury St Edmunds, you don’t actually go far for fine cuisine. Our very own Zest The Restaurant, described by Trip Advisor as 'one of Bury St Edmunds' hidden gems' offers a high-class dining experience.

History and Culture

Bury St Edmunds, is a beautiful town with a number of historic landmarks, the most well-known of which have to be the Abbey Gardens and the Cathedral. The Abbey Gardens is a park built within and around the ruins of a once-great medieval abbey; it offers a beautiful scenic backdrop all year round and boasts tennis courts, a play area, a bowling green and an aviary. Bury St Edmunds is also home to The Nutshell which, with a bar measuring just 15ft by 7ft, holds the title of smallest pub in Britain. Bury St Edmunds’ Moyses’ Hall is an intimate museum set in one of the town centre’s oldest buildings. It features a number of exhibits including one of the largest horology (or clock) collections in the country, a room dedicated to the Royal Anglia Regiment and artefacts from the darker side of Bury’s history such as crime and witchcraft.

Bury St Edmunds, is a beautiful town with a number of historic landmarks, the most well-known of which have to be the Abbey Gardens and the Cathedral. The Abbey Gardens is a park built within and around the ruins of a once-great medieval abbey; it offers a beautiful scenic backdrop all year round and boasts tennis courts, a play area, a bowling green and an aviary. Bury St Edmunds is also home to The Nutshell which, with a bar measuring just 15ft by 7ft, holds the title of smallest pub in Britain. Bury St Edmunds’ Moyses’ Hall is an intimate museum set in one of the town centre’s oldest buildings. It features a number of exhibits including one of the largest horology (or clock) collections in the country, a room dedicated to the Royal Anglia Regiment and artefacts from the darker side of Bury’s history such as crime and witchcraft.

 

Facilities at UCS Bury St Edmunds

  • UCS building with common room including IT facilities
  • Library
  • Student Welfare
  • UCS student study areas
  • Stationery Shop
  • 2 Student Diners - Da Vinci's and The Bistro
  • Zest Restaurant
  • Industry standard music technology suite
  • In Vogue hair and beauty salon
  • Inspire Theatre