Why Choose NPTC Group of Colleges?

Although coming to NPTC Group of Colleges may be a big step, we will do everything we can to help new students settle in as quickly as possible.

Here are some of the key benefits of studying at NPTC Group of Colleges:

  • Personal support through Course Tutors, Student Services and College Counsellors
  • Study Skills support
  • Superb sports facilities
  • Scholarships available (through an application process)
  • Student Ambassador scheme
  • A Students’ Union (and NUS discount card available)
  • State-of-the-art Learning Resources Centres – quiet study areas, computers with Internet access and library resources
  • Enrichment activities – we offer full-time students the opportunity to take part in a wide range of activities, from sports clubs and trips to cultural and musical activities
  • Bursaries are available for high achievers from partner schools.

Courses, Courses, Courses

As NPTC Group of Colleges offers an extensive range of courses and levels of study, you may need some help making a final decision – some of the factors to consider are:

  • Existing qualifications
  • Learning styles
  • Practical/theory
  • Career aims
  • Degree choice
  • Work experience/placement included in programmes of study
  • Enjoyment of the subjects to be studied.

The College Tutorial System

Every full-time student is allocated a Personal Tutor or Course Co-ordinator who has responsibility for ensuring that his/her group of students achieve the maximum benefit from their course of studies at NPTC Group of Colleges.

During planned tutorial sessions, tutors and students discuss progress, set targets and create action plans for improvement. This process includes producing an Individual Learning Plan. Individual Learning Plans cover career and higher education issues together with various aspects of personal and social education.

Tutors are supported by Student Services, Careers Wales and the College Counsellors.

NPTC Moodle

The Moodle software is known as the VLE (Virtual Learning Environment).

It is accessed via the Student Portal on the College Website for teaching, learning and communicating. NPTC Group of Colleges Moodle is used to support classroom and workshop sessions.

What does it offer Students?

  • access to online learning resources
  • access to teacher resources
  • access to revision materials
  • access to shared resources
  • access to lessons, coursework and homework resources
  • access to personal workbook and progress records always available as it is accessed via the Internet.

How do students access it?

Every student is allocated a personal NPTC Group of Colleges Moodle username and password. This enables every student to login to this resource.

Login to Moodle

Oxbridge

We encourage students to aim high and those who aspire to Oxford or Cambridge are given help and support by Oxbridge tutors and senior College staff. Specific visits to Oxbridge, including an overnight stay, have been arranged for students intending to apply, where advice on the application process has been given by University Admissions Tutors.

Gifted and Talented Excellence Programme (Neath College)

Members of NPTC Group of Colleges Sixth Form Academy may be eligible to apply for our support for those learners with exceptional GCSE results (mainly A* and A grades gained at GCSE). Those applying to competitive universities, particularly those in the Russell Group, Oxford and Cambridge, will receive personalised support through our Gifted and Talented Excellence Programme. Application to competitive universities is about more than excellent grades. You must make an informed choice regarding the subjects you want to pursue, understand the competitive selection process and systems, submit a polished application and excel at interviews.

If you have a GCSE profile consisting of mainly A* and A grades, you will be placed into a specific tutorial group that will cater to your needs and aspirations. The aim is to broaden your horizons beyond your chosen subjects and to promote analytical reasoning and discussion. If you need more information prior to enrolling please get in touch.

Combined Cadet Force (ccf)

CCF contingents, offering young people a broad range of challenging, exciting, adventurous and educational activities. The aim is to develop skills in personal responsibility, leadership, and self-discipline. Each CCF is an educational partnership between the school/college and the Ministry of Defence, and a CCF may include Royal Navy, Royal Marines, and Army or Royal Air Force sections.

Students from across the College will be able to volunteer to join the CCF regardless of which course they are studying. They would normally attend CCF sessions on a Wednesday afternoon, based out of Llandarcy, as well as weekend camps and a summer camp for at least one week during the academic year. There is little or no cost to students.

Students will follow the CCF syllabus which includes topics such as map reading, military core skills such as weapon handling and shooting, foot drill (marching) and personal presentation skills, community engagement (Remembrance Sunday) and outdoor activities such as orienteering, kayaking, mountain biking and much more.

In addition to their chosen course of study at College, the aim of the CCF is to create well rounded young people who are motivated and ready for the world of work and the requirements of all types of employers.

Click here for more details on the CCF

 

ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES

We believe all students should have the opportunity to include enrichment activities within their programme of study to learn new skills, broaden experience and meet new people. You may wish to start up a club that is not listed here. Get in touch and we will help you get it off the ground!

Contact: student-union@nptcgroup.ac.uk

Here are some of the activities that are currently on offer.

STUDENT UNION 

The Student Union is run by the students, for the students. Their role is to make sure that student voices are heard at senior management level, listening to students from across the colleges, holding events and campaigns all year round, help you meet new people, and creating an inclusive and friendly student community.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Personal development enrichment allows you to enhance your skills in an academic subject, or develop new skills in an area that interests you and includes the following:

  • Duke of Edinburgh Award
  • Combined Cadet Force (CCF)
  • LGBTQ Society
  • Enterprise and Employability
  • STEM ambassadors
  • Student ambassadors
  • Gifted and Talented Excellence Programme (GATE)
  • Student Union