Yes. Our Student Advisors can help you choose a course that is right for you.  Pre-entry guidance is available to everyone who is thinking of coming to college, giving you up-to-date information and impartial advice on different courses, allowing you to you make an informed choice before accepting a place with us.

Student Advisory Services is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm.

Call:                                         0300 600 60 60

Email:                                      info@wcs.ac.uk

Drop in:                                  Visit your local campus and ask for us at reception

After you have read through this FAQ, just click here to see the courses on offer

Once you have found a course that is of interest, click ‘ADD TO MY APPLICATION’

You can then click on the ‘continue browsing’ link or click ‘My Application’ to begin the application process.

If you have not used our website to apply for a course before, then click on the ‘Apply’ button and start filling in your application details.

If you have used our website to apply for a course before, then click on the ‘Log in’ button.  If you have forgotten your password, there is a button to request a ‘Password Reminder’.

If you get stuck, call us on 0300 600 60 60 and ask for Student Advisory Services.

Yes. Please call 0300 600 60 60 and ask to be put through to Student Advisory Services.

 We’ll set up an appointment for you to come in to your local campus and guide you through the application process

Yes.  All application updates will be sent to the email address used when you apply.

Avoid using the email address of someone else e.g. family, friend, teacher, careers advisor.

Avoid using an email address that you cannot always get access to e.g. one from school that you cannot access during the summer.

If you are not sure how to set your own email address, call 0300 600 60 60 and ask for Student Advisory Services. We can help you set up a free email account.

It is best practice to provide some information about the reasons for your application and aspirations. Applications to some courses may be rejected before interview without a personal statement.

Unfortunately, at this time, your personal statement cannot be changed once your application has been submitted. If your application is rejected because of this then you will need to make new application.

You will receive an acknowledgement email confirming receipt of your application. The status of your application will also update to ‘Acknowledgement sent’.

Next, you will be informed via email of the outcome of your application and if there is a next step. The status of your application will also update (e.g. Invited to Interview). Please note that the delay between acknowledgement and outcome notifications might vary from a couple of weeks to several weeks, depending on the volume of applications received and/or on course-specific administration processes.

It is important that you check your emails for updates – remember to check your SPAM and junk folders.

If you are unsure about the status of your application, please call 0300 600 60 60 and ask for the Student Advisory Services Team. We can check to make sure everything is in order.

Normally the member of curriculum staff reviewing your application will add some comments that you will receive by email. These comments will tell you why your application was rejected before interview, and if you should reapply.

Rejection may have been due to insufficient qualifications for that course or it could be that you have not provided a personal statement or another piece of important information.

If you are unsure, please call 0300 600 60 60 and ask for the Student Advisory Services Team. We can make enquiries to find out more about the reason for rejection.

Before a place on the course is offered, it is common for applicants to be invited to a one-to-one or group interview with a member of curriculum staff from the area you want to study. These are usually quite informative but they help to ensure that the course is right for you, and you are right for the course.

 It is important that you attend your interview. An offer of a place (‘conditional’ or ‘unconditional’) may be made after the interview – but, generally, not before.

Log in to your account using the email address and password you applied with:

https://ols.westcollegescotland.ac.uk/website/wcsapply/external.aspx

Select “My Application” tab to update your status (we cannot guarantee a rescheduled interview – this depends on course availability).

Interviews may be conducted one to one with a lecturer or in small groups. 

Individual interviews usually last for approximately 30 minutes. 

Group interviews can be significantly longer. They may include an informal welcome session followed by group interviews where the course is explained in detail.  Individual interviews will follow (please allow plenty of time as there can often be 15-20 candidates waiting to have individual interviews.  For group interviews, you could be in the College for approximately 2 – 2.5 hours.

If you would have to travel a significant distance to get to the interview location you can request that the interview is conducted by telephone. Due to the nature of some courses this cannot always be guaranteed.

To enquire, please call 0300 600 60 60 and ask to speak with the person named on your invite to interview.

Yes, you can log back into your account and select “My Exams” tab.

An ‘unconditional’ offer is a firm offer of a place without a specific condition attached. Your place is generally secure, unless the overall interest in that course is not sufficient for it to run.

An ‘conditional’ offer is an offer of a place that requires something else from you – e.g. gaining a particular grade in one or more exams that have not yet been sat. Once you meet the condition(s), your offer is likely to be upgraded to ‘unconditional’.

Changed your email address? – Login to your account and select “Update logon”

Changed your personal details? – Login to your account and select “Personal Details” tab

Changed any other personal information? – Login to your account select “Other details” tab

Call 0300 600 60 60 and ask for Student Advisory Services.

 You can also call our Student Advisors direct:

• Clydebank Campus: 0141 951 7444
• Greenock Campus: 01475 553 119
• Paisley Campus : 0141 468 4162

Email: info@wcs.ac.uk

Forgot password? – Select password reminder, the reminder will be sent your email address within 10 minutes.

Still can’t login? – You are potentially locked out of your account please contact Student Advisory Services on 0300 600 60 60.

Please see the FAQs below for NC, HNC, HND and Degree level courses.

 See here also for further information on funding:

/money-advice-support-services/fees-and-funding/

As a student at West College Scotland, we will do our best to support you every step of the way. You will receive support from curriculum staff (e.g. lecturers) and also from support teams (e.g. Student Advisory Services, Student Funding, etc)

Most students will have a guidance tutor or mentor assigned, who will regularly discuss your own progress and any matters of concern you may have, personal or course related.

Student Advisors are on hand to provide guidance and support when needed, as is the Student Association and our Student Counselling team.

If you are even unsure, just email info@wcs.ac.uk or speak to one of our Student Advisorts

You will also have access to the college’s Student Intranet Site, which is available on all college PCs and offers information and advice on a wide range of topics.

A well-established, cross-college Enabling Services system endeavours to ensure that any student with a learning difficulty or disability is given advice and support in relation to their specific needs.  This may take the form of scribing, escort support, counselling, interpretation, use of specific technology, etc.

If you would like to chat with a member of our Enabling Services team about your needs and support, please email els@wcs.ac.uk or call 0141 581 2262.

Please also ensure that you complete the relevant section of the online application form.

Yes. Taking the next step is important. Whether it’s from NC to HNC or HND, to university or into employment.  Pre-exit guidance is available before you finish your course.

 Advice on:

• further study
• looking for work and job seeking skills
• interview techniques and CV writing
• applying to universities

No. Once you have been offered a place on a course, an email will be generated and sent to the same email address you gave us when you submitted your online course application.

 Don't worry.  Please call 0300 600 60 60 and ask to be put through to the Student Funding Team.  We'll set up an appointment for you to come in to your local campus and we'll guide you through the process.

You will need your student reference number which will be detailed on the email you receive. Please remember to check your SPAM/junk folder.

Yes. This should be a valid email address. (Please note: this is the email address that all information and requests will be sent to)

Yes.  You will be prompted to create a password at least 8 characters in length, which must contain a capital letter and a number (please take a note of these details).

Yes. Once your account is created you are ready to apply for your funding.

If you are applying for EMA, BURSARY or ACCOMMODATION funds you will need details of your household income, your Bank Account number and Sort Code. If you are applying for CHILDCARE we also require the name and address of your childcare provider.

Only if you are attending Clydebank campus. Please provide us with the name and address of your childcare provider, who must be approved by the Care Commission. If you are attending Greenock or Paisley campuses, you must use the on-site facilities. When applying, West College Scotland should be entered as provider.

You will receive an email asking you to send the documents we need as evidence to support your application.

Always remember to check your SPAM/junk folders.

You can use the document uploader on your online application page to attach your documents. Please ensure that you upload all pages of the documents requested. (A “How to” guide is available at this stage) 

If you do not have the facility to upload documents please bring in clear photocopies of requested documents to the Student Funding Office at your relevant campus. The helpdesk at all three campuses is open from 10.30am to 2.00pm Monday to Friday. Please contact us if your current circumstances will not allow you to visit during these opening times.

Alternative arrangements can be made throughout the summer period.  

If we do not receive all the documents requested on time your application may be cancelled. If you have any problems obtaining any of the documents requested please contact your Student Funding Office as soon as possible. Students will be emailed on a two week basis requesting documents. You will have a total of 28 days before the application is cancelled.

Yes. You can log back into your account using the email address and password you created to check the progress of your application.  You will also be able to check for any outstanding documents we need to assess your award.

You should receive your award within 4 weeks from the date all your requested documents were submitted to us and verified.

You will receive your award by email.  You will be required to print your award and have the acceptance form signed by your lecturer on your first day of attendance.  Once your acceptance form is signed and handed in to your Student Funding Office, you should receive your payment on the due date as stated on your award or within 7 days after the payment date.

Always remember to check your SPAM/junk mail folders.

Payment will be backdated to the latest date of your last document being submitted, which is when you have fully completed your application. If your application is submitted after the start date of the course you will only be paid from date of last document submitted. Funding applications will not be backdated after 6 weeks from the start date of any course.

Yes. Enquiries about funding for non-advanced courses are handled by our Student Funding Team. Each campus has a helpdesk open Monday to Friday, 10.30 and 2pm. Ask for us at reception.

You can also email studentfunding@wcs.ac.uk or call 0300 600 60 60.

You will be self-financing your studies if you do not apply for funding or are not entitled to funding. This includes your tuition fees. Information about fees is available by emailing info@wcs.ac.uk

No. You can only apply for funding with a ‘conditional’ or ‘unconditional’ offer of a place on a HNC, HND or Degree level course.

SAAS a funding body know as the Student Awards Agency for Scotland.  Most students studying HNC or HND courses at West College Scotland are supported through SAAS.

SAAS support both full time and part time students who meet their funding criteria.

Funding applications are completed online at www.saas.gov.uk

For advice and support, call 0300 600 60 60 and ask for Student Advisory Services.

SAAS publishe a guide each year on their website.

Download here: http://www.saas.gov.uk/_forms/slc_terms_conditions.pdf

You need to be enrolled on your course. This happens at the beginning of your course.

 When enrolled, bring your Letter of Award to a member of the Student Advisory Services team. They will then notify SAAS that you have started your course and payment can be released.

You need to tell:

• the Curriculum Quality Leader (CQL) for your course;
• the Student Funding Department and SAAS;
• anyone else where benefit or discount is received (e.g. council tax office)

 Your effective date of withdrawal will be the date in which you last attended a timetabled lecture.

Yes. Enquiries about funding for advanced courses (e.g. HNC, HND or Degree) are handled by our Student Advisory Services team.  

 We can advise on SAAS (Student Awards Agency for Scotland),  SDS ILA and various other funding bodies. We can also offer advice on part time study, self-financing and employer financing.

We’re here Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm. Ask for us at reception.

You can also email info@wcs.ac.uk or call 0300 600 60 60.

The following terms and conditions apply when you enrol as a student to study at West College Scotland. You can read them here