Spotlight on HE and Partnerships at East Sussex College Group
This month we’re meeting Ashley Heminway, Head of HE & Partnerships: Hastings and Ore and Meg Sullivan, Head of HE & Partnerships: Lewes & Eastbourne
Tell us about your role
We oversee the successful running of Higher Education degrees across all of the East Susse College Group sites. Ahsley covers Hastings, Station Plaza and Ore and Meg covers Lewes and Eastbourne. This includes working with the University of East Anglia, and the University of Brighton who validate our degree courses. We also manage policy and regulations ensuring our HE courses run smoothly and deliver high quality provision.
What is the Higher Education offer at ESCG?
All of our courses are undergraduate across a range of levels:
Foundation Degrees, Level 4 & 5
- Computing & Systems Development, Digital Production for Film & Games, Early Years Care & Education; Person-Centred Counselling
HNC / HND Level 4 & 5
- Electrical & Electronic Engineering; Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering
BA/BSc/BEng (Hons) Level 4, 5 &6
- Animation; Computing & Systems Development; Design; Design Maker; Early Years Care & Education; Film Production; Fine Art Practice; Illustration with Design; Integrated Health, Social Care & Well-being; Music Production & Creative Recording; Person-Centred Counselling; Photography with Moving Image; Video Game Development
We also run a PGCE/CERT Ed in post compulsory education. There is a full list of our HE courses.
What is different about HE at ESCG compared to another college or a university?
Students rate their experience with us as outstanding at 94.7%. Our national student survey results, which is a nationwide survey for all degree level students, highlights how our HE students enjoy what is offered to them. They told us that we consistently exceed their expectations!
Students rate our teaching highly, as we have more qualified teachers than most universities, and that they see their teachers more often. Our students rate our academic support as exceptional as all of our campuses have dedicated HE Academic Mentors to help their progress.
We suit all different types of learners but are particularly valued by students who want to work in small classes. Our students are all ‘commuter’ students so we know we are an attractive option to students who may not be able to leave home, because of financial restraints, caring responsibilities or any other reason. We make sure that our timetable suits students who have to travel and need time off to work.
Our teaching is intentionally bunched together so they will be learning for the whole day and will have 2-3 days a week they won’t need to travel and can work alongside their study. Our Early Years and Healthcare courses have evening and some Saturday teaching as most of these students are in work and this timetabling allows them to continue working alongside their learning. You can watch a short film here with our students saying what they think of us!
You both work across two sites, tell us a bit about your sites and what’s available for learners
If a student signs up for one of our courses, it will all be taught at one site. However, our students are able to use our facilities at any of our sites. For example, if a student lives in Eastbourne but travels to Hastings for Fine Art, they can use the site at Eastbourne such as the library, canteen and social spaces. We have specialist facilities across all of our campuses and our student tell us that because our class sizes are small there is never a queue and they are able to access them when needed.
How does the College work with local schools and colleges around progression to HE?
We visit schools with our school liaison team and have stands at careers and open days. We take our student mentors to these events to explain what it’s like to be a university student. We give talks at schools; these often focus on first generation HE students and we explain opportunities to learners and their families. We can also deliver sessions on finance, applications and understanding HE. If a school would like us to come and visit, please contact us; we’d love to speak with you and arrange a visit!
What support is there at the College for learners with additional needs
There is a lot of support, both pre-entry and after enrolment. Adaptations can be made, and eligible HE students can receive a Disabled Student Allowance (DSA) to cover study-related costs because of a disability. There is more information here. You recently interviewed our colleagues about our Additional Learning Support and Wellbeing services. The interview gives a detailed overview of supports students can access. The interview can be read here.
What support does the College offer around flexible admissions for learners
We interview everyone so that students can get a feel for the place and make an informed decision if it’s going to be a good fit for them. If students aren’t able to make an in-person interview, we will arrange a Teams meeting. We consider prior learning, and we look at skills needed for a course to ensure students are successful.
We recognise some students may not have the level of skills to succeed and we can help them find a course to support them in bridging to progressing to HE. We have a transition to HE programme available for all students when they first start, and we run drop-in workshops for learners that need a bit more support academically. Our HE Academic Mentors have a lot of experience to provide support. Students can book sessions with our mentors after enrolment and these sessions are available to ensure students get ongoing academic support as required.
What is the difference financially between studying at a university and ESCG?
Our course fees are less than at a university and we aim to keep them lower. A lot of our students don’t take out maintenance loan because they live at home and are able to keep part time jobs they had before they started on their course. Students are eligible for tuition fee and maintenance loans in the same way as all HE students. It’s important to remember that studying locally doesn’t limit possibilities. Our students go on to work nationally, internationally as well as undertaking post graduate degrees at prestigious universities. We are proud of all our students go on to achieve after studying with us.
How can schools and learners find out more about the College’s HE offer?
Our website provides an overview. Students can book on a tour or find out any other information they need by sending an email here.