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 is 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 a comprehensive tutorial support process 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.
Most teaching and learning takes place on the main campus in Bury St Edmunds although there are centres in the surrounding market towns including Stowmarket, Sudbury, Haverhill and Mildenhall.
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. The newest building on campus is the impressive £1.5 million Arts and Sciences building, Leonardo House. The College has also spent a substantial amount on refurbishments across a whole range of other subject areas. A new Further Education building is expected to open in September 2013 which will allow for the development of Suffolk House as a fully Higher Education Building.
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.
Bury St Edmunds - a town with a history, and a future
This historic market town in the centre of Suffolk is well served by public transport and road links. Its location makes it a convenient option for students commuting from many parts of Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex.
The town combines the best of the past with big plans for the future. As well as the historic Abbey Ruins and award winning Abbey Gardens, a Georgian theatre and a historic town centre, Bury St Edmunds boasts a multiplex cinema and an excellent shopping development and an entertainment venue on the site of the old Cattle Market.
There is a thriving market on Wednesdays and Saturdays which is a regional attraction. The Bury Festival, in May, is a cultural feast of music, theatre art and street entertainment. The town has a wide range of pubs, bars, restaurants and cafés to suit all tastes, with a burgeoning café society.
Facilities at UCS Bury St Edmunds
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Library
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Student Welfare
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Higher Education study areas
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Common Room
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Stationery Shop
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2 Student Diners - Da Vinci's and The Bistro
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Zest Restaurant
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Industry standard music technology suite
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In Vogue hair and beauty salon
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Inspire Theatre