COMING_TO_HARTPURY_COLLEGE_YOUR_STUDENT_LIFE_GUIDE_2024

Your second guide to joining us in September 2024

You’re joining an Ofsted Outstanding college. Rated particularly highly for student outcomes, the majority of our students achieve or exceed their target grades. You’ll be well prepared for your dream university or career.

Contents

Welcome 2 Experience for the future 3 Hartpury Certificate 4 Ready for the real world 5 Get out in the field 7 Your facilities 9 Your Students’ Union 13 Supporting you 15 Your wellbeing 16 Next steps timeline 17 Hear from our students 21

Over the coming months, we’ll be in touch via post and email to guide you through your next steps. Check your timeline on page 17 to find out what happens when and add key dates to your diary. What happens next?

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Get excited We hope you’re excited about Coming to Hartpury in September.* Throughout this booklet, you’ll get a taste of some of the exciting experiences ahead of you. With opportunities to go on action-packed field trips, experience educational visits, and volunteer in our world class facilities, you’ll create lifelong memories whilst seeing your subject come to life and gaining valuable applied skills.

You’ll also discover how our strong support network can help you to achieve your academic and personal best. By completing our unique Hartpury Certificate, you’ll have plenty of extracurricular experiences and grow into a confident and resilient young person, ready to progress onto your dream career or university. On pages 17-20, you’ll find a detailed timeline of next steps to help guide you through the process. Add key dates to your diary and feel confident as you prepare to join us.

We can’t wait to welcome you into our Hartpury family.* Claire Whitworth, Deputy Principal, Further Education

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*Subject to meeting offer requirements

Experience for the future

You’ll have the opportunity to get involved in a range of extracurricular activities, offering more valuable life skills as well as real-world experience. You’ll stand out from the crowd when you’re applying for your dream university course or a job doing what you love. Studying A-levels Our A-level students have additional time built into their timetable to take part in an enrichment programme. Recently, students have been able to choose from special interest groups including dissection, a Pre-Vet qualification, an Extended Project Qualification, subject-specific study or training with our competitive Sports Academies. By honing your skills and challenging yourself to learn new things, you’ll be one step closer to achieving your goals. Studying our diplomas and Access to HE Our diploma and Access to HE students learn inside and outside the classroom. Home to real businesses and world-class facilities, our large, rural campus provides plenty of opportunities to put theory into practice. Add that to your external work experience, and you’ll soon be developing an impressive CV for university or employment. Studying T Levels The key benefit of completing a T level is the sheer amount of on-the-job experience it includes. You’ll spend a large amount of time gaining first-hand experience of your chosen career in an industry placement. That’s in addition to the practical and classroom education you’ll receive at Hartpury.

“We’re so impressed with the teaching team at Hartpury. Encouraging students to be the best they can be and inspiring them to love their subjects.” Parent of Hartpury College student

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Your Hartpury Certificate

“At Hartpury, we believe that life and employability skills are as important as subject knowledge. That’s why we introduced the Hartpury Certificate. It really does give our students that competitive edge and supports success with life beyond Hartpury.” Claire Whitworth Deputy Principal Further Education We’re committed to our students’ academic and personal development. That’s why we’ve developed our unique Hartpury Certificate – a full enrichment programme of activities, designed to help you with key employability skills. You’ll gain work experience, strengthen your numeracy and literacy skills, and create and work towards a career plan – which you’ll evidence to employers and universities through your e-portfolio. Our Hartpury Certificate Plus is an initiative that provides extra opportunities for A-level, T Level, diploma, and Access to HE students to prepare for work or further training, alongside their core qualification. Over and above the elements of the Hartpury Certificate, it allows you to select additional activities based on your areas of interest. You’ll develop your confidence and resilience through a range of extracurricular activities. Recent opportunities have included our Student Ambassador scheme as well as workshops on setting up a business or creating your personal brand.

97% progression to employment, university or further study (Hartpury, 2023)

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Ready for the real world

Work experience is a great way to gain industry expertise and try out the job you’ve always wanted. We’ll provide a range of opportunities to put your classroom-based learning into practice. Find out what you enjoy the most and be ready to hit the ground running. All of our courses include work experience in your first or second year. Our Innovation, Careers and Enterprise (ICE) team can help you define your career goals and find a position that will help you get there, via our network of over 3,000 employers. We’re accredited by the Matrix Standard, which means you’re guaranteed to get the highest standard of careers advice. You’ll evidence your hands-on skills and experience in your e-portfolio as part of your Hartpury Certificate. This will put you ahead of the curve when applying for university courses or jobs. Depending on your course, you could even gain practical experience right here on campus. As part of your learning or through volunteer opportunities, you’ll have the chance to develop important skills with access to our sports academies, commercial farm, Agri-Tech Centre, dairy parlour, world-class equestrian centre, or 70-species animal collection. Discover more on pages 9-10.

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Employment ready

Our students do us proud. They work hard, get hands-on in practical sessions and push themselves to achieve their potential. Here you can see our subject-level progression rates to university, further study or employment.

Agriculture*

A-levels*

Animal Management*

Sport*

98.4% A-level pass rate 99.4% BTEC pass rate

Equine*

Access to HE*

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*Hartpury, 2023

Get out in the field

As a Hartpury College student, you’ll see theory come to life during field trips, study tours and plenty of hands-on activities. Here are just some of the recent examples of our students’ great learning experiences. Animal students have been enjoying trips to Cotswold Wildlife Park, Bristol Zoo Project, and Oak Brook Community Farm, and also completed the Big Garden Bird Watch.. This year, some of our second year students are also traveling to South Africa. Agriculture students spend between 300 hours and one year gaining hands-on skills on local farms and our commercial farm business. Farm duties are a key part of the course in order to develop practical skills for the future. Equine students have travelled to White Stallion Ranch, Arizona to experience western riding, and the world-famous Spanish Riding School in Vienna to see different training techniques in action. Sport students have enjoyed trips to the Snowdome and sports stadiums, heard from industry guest speakers, and undertaken invaluable work placements. They’ve even travelled abroad for competitions with other colleges and ski trips. Outdoor Activity students spend two days a week – and Uniformed Protective Service spend one day a week (terms 2-3) – completing practical sessions. Activities include sailing, hill walking, climbing, Police team building, RAF practical days and Firefighter training.

Our A-level students We organise plenty of trips and activities to bring your A-level learning to life.* Here are just some examples from recent years: • Chemistry and Physics – UKAEA Culham Centre for Fusion Energy • Chemistry – London Science Museum • History – American Museum, Bath • Physical Education – Physiotherapist led workshop • Environmental Science and Geography – Eden Project and Iceland residential trip • Psychology – West Midlands Safari Park and Criminology Day • Business and Economics – JCB field trip • English – Cheltenham Literature Festival • Biology – Longleat Conservation Conference All of our subjects offer a range of guest speakers throughout your course. Are you ready for your adventure?

*Additional fees may apply for these optional trips

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A unique classroom

Learn in specialist facilities used by students, staff and industry professionals. Some of our facilities are run as commercial businesses, so you’ll develop the latest skills and have the opportunity to gain valuable professional experience.

Agriculture and Digital Innovation Farm Develop your hands-on skills with access to 380 hectares of commercial farmland across five sites, supplying big brands including Müller. Be exposed to smart technology on our Digital Innovation Farm, which includes an Agri-Tech Centre, dairy parlour, and Tech Box Park for agribusiness innovation, as well as our new Digital Studio complete with simulators and virtual reality headsets. Animal Centre Our campus is home to over 70 species, ranging from ferrets, meerkats and prairie dogs, to emus, llamas and our giant sulcata, Millie, in our tortoise enclosure. Benefit from a Walled Animal Garden, reptile and aquatics rooms, aviaries, an orchard paddock, and equine and livestock centres. Equine Centre Get hands-on in our Rider Performance Centre, and work with Hartpury horses in our international arenas. We have 230 stables – including 150 for student livery, if you’d like to bring your horse. Our Equestrian Club, run by students for students, includes recreational riding and own horse training sessions.

A-levels, classrooms and labs Expand your knowledge in our modern College Learning Centre and well-equipped laboratories. You’ll study three A-levels for six hours per subject each week, take part in supervised study sessions, and develop your employability and life skills with our extensive enrichment programme. Sports Academy We’ve invested over £10 million in our Sports Academy in recent years. You’ll benefit from specialist human performance and biomechanics laboratories, rehabilitation suites, performance and power gyms, a multi-sports hall, and pitches. These facilities are used by students in our Sports Academies to reach their athletic potential. Outdoor Activities and Uniformed Protective Services Experience a range of outdoor sports, utilising our 360-hectare campus and visiting places such as Aztec Adventures (Upton Warren), Gloucester Climbing Centre, Lake 86 Water Park and the River Wye. Lead activities and gain professional qualifications.

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Experience agri-tech in action Join live demonstrations in our Agri-Tech Centre and explore how smart technology is improving productivity, profitability and sustainability in farming.

Get active If you love sports, our advanced facilities, pitches and gyms are a dream come true.

Excel in your studies Head to your dedicated College Learning Centre for quiet study spaces and all the resources you need to succeed.

Visit our Animal Centre Discover exotic species in our aquatics and reptile rooms – or walk up to the Walled Animal Garden to meet our meerkats.

Horsing around If you love horses, you don’t need to bring your own to get involved with fun equestrian activities. From our student-led Equestrian Club to volunteering in our Equine Therapy Centre or at our summer events, there’s more to horses at Hartpury than riding.

Experience a range of outdoor activities in the Gloucestershire countryside

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Campus facilities

With a reputation for world-class facilities, we’re continually investing in our campus. You’ll learn in an environment that simulates the subject you’re studying, with advanced facilities and modern study spaces to ensure you achieve your very best. Graze Our Graze restaurant and student hub is a great place to refuel between lectures and catch up on your studies in a social setting. Located next to your College Learning Centre, it’s the perfect place to grab food on the go, meet friends for lunch or a drink, or catch up on your studies in relaxed social areas or quiet spaces. You’ll be spoilt for choice with hot and cold food outlets, a café serving Costa coffee, and a shop for snacks and everyday essentials. Head upstairs and you’re in modern classrooms, ready to learn from expert lecturers. With stunning views over the grass pitches and our rural campus, there’s no better place to study and be inspired.

Graze student hub

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Latest developments

Gain valuable practical experience in a supported learning environment with access to industry standard facilities on site. Digital Innovation Farm | Commercial Home Farm We launched an Agri-Tech Centre for smart farming in 2019 and opened our Tech Box Park for agribusinesses innovation in 2022. Our Digital Studio provides access to simulators and virtual reality headsets to explore agricultural sustainability. Strength and Conditioning Performance Gym | Sports Academy Apply the latest training and rehabilitation techniques during practical sessions in our fully equipped gym. This is just the latest development in our world-class Sports Academy, which has received £10 million of investment in recent years. Equine Hydrotherapy Centre | Equine centre You’ll be among the first students to use our new H2O water treadmill facility, complete with classrooms and stables. It’s used by leading experts as well as Hartpury students and staff.

Equine Hydrotherapy Centre

Performance Gym

Digital Studio

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Welcome from your Students’ Union

When you join our Hartpury family, you’ll automatically become part of our Students’ Union (SU). Run by current students, there’s always lots of great opportunities to get involved. We’re here to represent you on the issues that matter. We’ll provide guidance throughout your time at Hartpury, as well as plenty of opportunities for you to make the most of student life. We’ll help you settle in and make friends – and we promise to throw lots of great events and activities on campus. Make sure you join some of our clubs and societies. You could get involved in something you already enjoy or try your hand at something new. From Wildlife Society, Vet Society and Hockey, through to the LGBTQ+ Society, Christian Union and Equestrian Society, you’re sure to find something you love. There are so many wonderful opportunities to get involved. Come and find us during your Freshers’ Week and we can tell you all there is to know.

STUDENTS’ UNION

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Our Student Experience team are always throwing fun activities. Recently, our students have been enjoying: • A Freshers’ Welcome Week event programme • Fortnightly weekend trips • Quizzes • Movie nights • Games nights including pool, darts, Nintendo Switch, dance mat and board games! Weekly SU breakfast mornings Pop-up shops with exclusive Hartpury discounts! Our annual Summer Ball Vet Society trip to the zoo Weekly LGBTQ+ Society socials Hockey – our women’s team play in the BUCS league! – and Basketball through our Hartpury Active project Polo training sessions Want to get more involved? If you love student life, you could become your course representative or run for a position in the SU. You’ll be helping us to make Hartpury even better. Plus it’s great for your CV. Find out more about our clubs and societies at hartpurysu.co.uk • • • • • • • • • A variety of fitness classes Regular dog therapy sessions

99% student satisfaction with teaching (Hartpury, 2023)

STUDENTS’ UNION

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Supporting you

You’ll learn in a safe and supportive environment, with access to everything you need to achieve your best. Our dedicated learning support teams are here to help make your Hartpury experience an enjoyable one. Aspire Learning Support Our team will work with you to create a personalised support plan, based on your individual needs and goals. We can provide support for specific learning difficulties, including assessments for any Exam Access Arrangements (EAAs). We can help with study skills, planning your work, exam preparation and revision skills. Academic support You’ll be assigned a personal tutor when you arrive, who’ll support you to reach your academic goals. They’ll be your first port of call if you have any questions about your lessons or assignments. With an open door policy – in-person or by phone or video appointment – they’ll always make time to see you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Residential Support Team Our students tell us that living at Hartpury is a wonderful experience. Don’t worry if it’s your first time away from home. You’ll have Residential Support Officers available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for any wellbeing or emergency needs. They’ll do everything they can to ensure you’re happy, healthy and safe at all times. International support Whether you’ve previously studied in the UK or not, our dedicated International team will provide support and guidance throughout your application – from visa support to preparing for your travels.

www.hartpury.ac.uk/college-learning-support

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Your wellbeing

Your wellbeing is top priority for us. With access to our dedicated team, you’ll have everything you need to be happy, healthy, and safe while you’re here.

Wellbeing support Our friendly Student Services and Wellbeing teams can offer you advice on everything from finance and accommodation to physical and mental health. If you need to talk, they offer a safe and private environment and are always ready to listen. You can pop into the Wellbeing Centre during drop-in times, or set up a face-to-face, phone, or video appointment. Student Assistance Programme For support at any time of the day or night, you can call our confidential helpline. This includes wellbeing guidance, help managing stress, medical information, counselling, and more. Wellfest In recent years, we’ve run a ‘Wellfest’ wellbeing event in the first few weeks of term, dedicated to student issues. You’ll take part in interactive sessions covering important topics such as physical and mental wellbeing, safe driving, drugs and alcohol, anti bullying, healthy relationships and consent, and sexual health. We’ll tell you more about it when you get here.

Need some financial support? There’s no charge for tuition fees for UK students under 19 years old. For international students, course fees are £12,000 per year. If you’re over 19, you’ll need to pay for your fees. However, you could be eligible for a bursary, fee waiver or the Advanced Learner Loan. Visit our website for more on finance and funding.

Read your guide Find out how we’ll support your academic, learning, and wellbeing development www.hartpury.ac.uk/aspire

www.hartpury.ac.uk/college-support

www.hartpury.ac.uk/college-finance

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Now Get Social

Your next steps Now that you’ve been offered your place, it’s time to start preparing for September.* We’ve put all of your key dates into this timeline, so you know what to expect when. If you’re an international student, you’ll have a few extra things to do – you’ll see these highlighted with a globe image.

Follow us to discover what life is like as a Hartpury College student.

Now Accept your offer

When you know we’re right for you, it’s important to accept your place so we know you’re Coming to Hartpury .* Email admissions@hartpury.ac.uk to accept your offer.

Now Join one of our Sports Academies

Key

For UK offer-holders For international offer-holders

If you’re training at a high level and want to play competitively, contact one of our Sports Academies. ** www.hartpury.ac.uk/college-academies For recreational sports and fun fitness activities, search Hartpury Active.

Pay your sports academy fee - £140*** Pay your gym membership fee - £140

*Subject to meeting the conditions of your offer. **Please check that your course allows you to participate in your preferred Sports Academy. This would have been mentioned in your course presentation and discussed at interview. ***Sports Academy membership price subject to change, check our website for the latest fees. Some sports academies will have additional fees. † Students who are able to travel on public or college transport will only be allocated accommodation if rooms are still available after 31 August. 17

Now Book your transport

Check our website for more details. Closing date for Hartpury College transport applications: 31 July 2024 www.hartpury.ac.uk/college-transport

1 April 2024 Apply for financial support

Check if you’re eligible and apply. www.hartpury.ac.uk/college-finance

April 2024 Pay your deposit

As an international fee-paying student, you’ll receive an invoice for your deposit (50% of your first-year tuition fees). If you need a Student visa, you won’t be able to apply for your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) until you’ve paid your deposit. www.hartpury.ac.uk/college-student-visa

April 2024 Apply for your Student visa

If you’re not a British or Irish citizen, it’s likely you’ll require a visa to study in the UK. Join our international Student visa webinar on 3 April (2pm, UK time) to find out everything you need to know. Book your webinar: www.hartpury.ac.uk/college-student-visa For support throughout the visa process, email international@hartpury.ac.uk

15 April 2024 Accommodation booking opens

Places in our on-site accommodation † are competitive and fill up quickly. www.hartpury.ac.uk/college-accommodation

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29 May 2024 Accommodation allocation

If you’ve applied for on-site accommodation, this is when you’ll find out if you’ve secured a place. †

June 2024 Get Your Enrolment Pack Arriving by post and email

Your third and final guide to Coming to Hartpury will contain the enrolment date and time for your course, your kit and equipment list, and essential things to do before you arrive.

June 2024 Receive your Passport to Hartpury Arriving by post and email

If you’re an international student, you’ll receive this with Your Enrolment Pack. It explains how to prepare to live and learn in the UK.

25 July 2024 (live webinar) International pre-departure briefing

For details about making travel arrangements and coming to the UK. We’ll invite you by email and send you the webinar recording afterwards.

*Subject to meeting the conditions of your offer. † Students who are able to travel on public or college transport will only be allocated accommodation if rooms are still available after 31 August.

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Your term dates

22 August 2024 Get your results – good luck!

Term 1 2 September – 20 December 2024 October half-term: 28 October – 1 November 2024 Christmas break: 23 December 2024 – 3 January 2025

GCSE results are released in the UK. Send us your results right away so we can confirm your place – we’ll explain how in Your Enrolment Pack (June) and by email (August). If you’re an international student and receive your results earlier than this, email us as soon as you have them. admissions@hartpury.ac.uk All first year students who have been allocated residential accommodation will move in together. You’ll meet your new hall mates, your designated Residential Support Officer and enjoy our evening residential BBQ. 1 September 2024 Move-in Day – Residential Students

Term 2 6 January – 11 April 2025

February half-term: 17 – 21 February 2025 Easter break: 7 April - 25 April 2025 (BTEC) 14 April – 25 April 2025 (A-levels)

2-6 September 2024 Your enrolment

Term 3 28 April - 20 June 2025 May half-term: 26 – 30 May 2025 (A-levels) Summer break: 23 June 2025 onwards

Arrive at Hartpury College. You’ll enrol and complete important paperwork. Once this is complete, you’ll start your induction activities and be in college for the rest of the day. Your Enrolment Pack (June) will have all the information you need. We’ll also be in touch via email in August to make sure you’re well-prepared. We hope you’re excited to join our Hartpury family.*

Check our website for all term dates and inset days www.hartpury.ac.uk/college-term-dates

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Hear from our students

We hope you’re looking forward to your next few years at Hartpury College. Here’s a taste of what some of our students are doing now. Your Hartpury College qualification could take you anywhere, isn’t that exciting? We look forward to seeing you soon.

Harry Greasby Equine Management (Business), BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma

Louis Rees-Zammit Professional athlete BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma Sport (Rugby) “I made the move to Hartpury College as I knew I could develop as a rugby player whilst completing my academic course. I am so grateful to Hartpury and the Sports Academy for their support in making me a professional athlete. They were a crucial part in making this happen.”

Katharine Kalap Princeton University, USA student A-levels Maths, Physics and Chemistry

“The skills I learned at Hartpury have helped me a lot at Princeton University, USA. I haven’t selected my major yet, but will choose mechanical and aerospace engineering. I’m so grateful to my Hartpury teachers for supporting me to achieve my best – three A* A-levels in Maths, Physics and Chemistry.”

“I didn’t think I was very academic at school, but then I came to Hartpury and realised I love learning about equine science. If you push yourself, your lecturers will support you to achieve your best. I’d love to turn professional in the future. Hartpury has inspired me to aim high.”

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Daisy Moore BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma Uniformed Protective Services British Army scholarship, law student “My lecturers supported me to apply for an Army scholarship. The skills, experiences, and qualifications I’ve gained helped me to stand out at selection. I’m going to study law at university before starting Officer training at RMA Sandhurst. The high-quality teaching at Hartpury prepared me for my career.”

Jacob Anthony Farm Manager | Farmers Weekly Young Farmer of the Year 2018 | Agriculture, BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma “Hartpury has extensive facilities and outstanding lecturers. You’re not just learning in the classroom. I worked on a farm and developed lots of different skills and new ideas. Grasp all of the opportunities on offer. I had some of the best times of my life at Hartpury.”

Ruby Temple-Long Fisheries Policy Officer, Scottish Wildlife Trust Animal Management, BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma “My role focuses on trying to minimise the environmental impact of fishing activities at a policy level in Scotland, so we can all enjoy the benefits that our seas provide in the long term. My diploma gave me the opportunity to learn in a different way and prepared me for university life.”

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Follow us on social for the latest updates #ComingToHartpury2024 Check our subject channels for student life insights

Contact us

Our dedicated Admissions and International team are here to help. If you have any questions, please do get in touch. Check your email for updates about Coming to Hartpury .

admissions@hartpury.ac.uk international@hartpury.ac.uk +44 (0) 1452 702244

www.hartpury.ac.uk