College Status / Updates
The College is committed to protecting our students and staff and to maintaining the high quality of teaching and support provided. We are closely monitoring the evolving challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and continually working to implement government guidance in terms of ensuring SERC campuses are as safe as possible. For this reason, we have been offering lateral flow test kits for staff and students to test on a voluntary basis. The College will cease the issuing of these lateral flow kits on the 22nd of April, in line with new government guidance. You can find out full details below:
The College may have to implement certain amendments or other such reasonable adjustments in relation to your time of study at the College.
These may include:
- Alterations to course delivery methods (including implementation of distance or IT based learning)
- Changes to course timetables (including splitting or staggering classes)
- Temporary delays to course delivery; and/or
- Temporary closure of the College.
Should the College make any such changes, you will be promptly informed of their nature, the reasons why they are needed and any options available to you to avoid such changes having an adverse impact on your future career or financial prospects.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in these very difficult circumstances. We hope that all our students and their families stay safe. For the latest government information please click here.
Space Campus and Theatres
We are pleased to be able to operate the theatre at full capacity once again, however it is important that we protect all attendees.
Keeping Audience Members and Staff Safe
- We encourage face coverings worn in all parts of the theatre unless you are eating, drinking or exempt.
- On entry you will be asked to sanitise your hands and hand sanitisers are also readily available throughout the building.
- The Theatre will be thoroughly cleaned between performances.
- Contactless payment is available at the bar.
If you or a member of your party are displaying Covid symptoms or are required to self-isolate, you must not come to the Theatre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Student Support Services
Please find below details of some support services which may be useful. These relate to Counselling Support, Housing Support and Foodbanks.
COUNSELLING SUPPORT
Inspire Students - 0800 3895 362 - Inspire Students in an independent source of support and counselling for all students/trainees. They can be contacted for free, confidential and immediate support on the above number which is available 24/7. If necessary, they can call you back.
Lifeline - 0808 808 8000 - Lifeline is the Northern Ireland crisis response helpline service for people who are experiencing distress or despair. If you or someone you know is in distress or despair, Lifeline is here to help. Calls to Lifeline are free and Lifeline counsellors are available 24/7 to listen and help in confidence. Deaf and hard of hearing Textphone users can call Lifeline on 18001 0808 808 8000.
HOUSING SUPPORT
MACS - provides a range of services for young people, including for those experiencing homelessness issues. They can be contacted on 028 4461 6551 (Downpatrick) or 028 9264 6329 (Lisburn), or visit their website www.macsni.org
NIHE (Northern Ireland Housing Executive) provides information and advice on homelessness and can be contacted on 03448 920 908 or click here to visit their website. In an Emergency the Housing Executive can provide temporary emergency accommodation for young people at risk of exploitation or who are vulnerable in some way by contacting them on 03448 920 908. For further information visit here - www.nihe.gov.uk/Housing-Help/Homelessness
Simon Community NI is a homeless charity, working to support people who have no home and can be contacted on 0800 1712222 or visit their website - www.simoncommunity.org/homelessness
House Rights NI can provide mediation services with landlords and tenants, support through disputes and support tenants with cases. They can be contacted on 028 9024 5640 or click here www.housingadviceni.org to visit their webpage
Emergency accommodation. For a full list of emergency shelters and beds if someone has nowhere to stay, please click here - www.chni.org.uk/advice.html#accomm
Women’s Aid provide support and information in relation to domestic abuse. Full contact details can be found here www.womensaidni.org
FOODBANKS
SERC students and staff have been generously supporting local Food Banks which have been making a real difference to people’s lives. If you need to contact one of the Food Banks in your area, please email them on the details below and they will be in touch:
Bangor: info@bangorni.foodbank.org.uk
Ards: info@newtownards.foodbank.org.uk
Lisburn: team@lisburnfoodbank.org
Downpatrick: fountainfoodbank@gmail.com
For a further list of Food Banks operating throughout Northern Ireland please click here www.cabfoodbanksuu.wordpress.com/list-of-food-banks/
Yes! You can speak to our Careers Staff on campus, or via telephone or MS Teams. Please contact us at careers@serc.ac.uk. SERC students - please keep checking your college email for your weekly Careers Bulletin which has all the latest information on UCAS, jobs and opportunities, plus much more.
SERC is now recruiting students for a new fully funded intensive programme. The Flexible Skills Fund has been established to help upskill and reskill individuals to meet the needs of the economy as we emerge from the pandemic and continue to grow the economy beyond it.
The 'SKILL UP' programme is accessible to all groups - those in employment and those unemployed. The programme seeks to encourage participants from various socio-economic, academic and non-academic backgrounds. Participants are able to avail of free courses and accredited qualifications, which will improve their skills, benefitting their employment opportunities and enhancing Northern Ireland’s continuously growing and diversifying economy.
The eligibility criteria below applies to all potential applicants:
- over 18 years of age;
- eligible to work in Northern Ireland;
- ‘settled’ in Northern Ireland, and has been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years;
- or is a person who has indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK.
For full details and a list of courses please visit https://serc.ac.uk/skillup
If your certificate is available for collection you will receive a communication from us to advise you. For any queries in the interim contact exams@serc.ac.uk.
Applications for travel passes are now online. Please apply at this link: https://www.eani.org.uk/financial-help/school-transport/further-education. For any queries please contact the Education Authority directly on 028 9056 6200.
EMA is a means tested fund available for Full-Time students continuing in Further Education who meet the eligibility criteria. To access a downloadable application form, guidance notes and to find out if you are eligible please visit www.nidirect.gov.uk.
Hard copy application packs are available at campus receptions. Alternatively we can post a pack to you. Please email info@serc.ac.uk to request an EMA pack.
EMA applications for 2021/22 close on 31 March 2022.
The LRCs opening times are as follows:
Bangor and Newtownards:
- Monday – Thursday: 9am – 5pm
- Friday: 9am – 3:30pm
Lisburn and Downpatrick:
- Monday – Thursday: 8:45am – 5pm
- Friday: 8:45am – 3:30pm
All LRCs are closed outside term time.
We also provide a Virtual Library of E-Resources and E-Books
You can contact us at lrc@serc.ac.uk or use the web form Ask a Librarian
If you have any further questions click here to contact us.