New students starting in September: You can find more information about College Ready Sessions and submitting your GCSE results in our online Guide. Transport and bursary information will be available from 15 June 2026.
Student Support
transition to university level
Many students have concerns about the step from A level or BTEC to University level or about returning to study as a mature student when they may not have enjoyed their previous education.
Our University courses are delivered in a completely different way to school or college. Teaching staff will deliver subjects as lecture or a seminar, which is more like an exchange of ideas or discussion around the subject. You’ll be expected to ‘read around’ the subject and gather information from books and from peer reviewed articles by academics at other universities all over the world.
You will be supported to think differently and be prepared to justify statements you make and critique the work of other academics.
While there is ‘contact time’ with teaching staff you will also be expected to undertake directed study related to your subject and to complete assessments and, on some courses, exams through the year.
We have preparation sessions during the summer to get people ready for the step up to higher education and have study skills support and regular tutorials to support you as you make the change to university.
As we aim to work with small friendly classes of 16 to 20, it gives us the chance to really get to know you and how you work and to support your development over your programme of study.
Rounded Education for Adult and Apprenticeship Learners (REAAL)
We want to ensure that you succeed in your chosen course but we also want to provide you with additional rounded educational resources to support your personal development, help you to achieve your goals and decide on your next steps. This includes safeguarding, prevent, support for stress and anxiety, wellbeing, labour market information and other supportive materials.
Watch our video to hear more about the programme and find out how REAAL can support adult and apprenticeship learners during your studies.
Support for Disabled Students
Students can book 1-1 study skills appointments in areas such as English, maths, statistics, referencing, examination techniques, assignment planning and writing, time management, self-checking strategies, individual learning strategies and computer support. Sessions are available both as an ongoing process and as drop-in sessions to help students to develop skills and encourage independent learning.
Our student support advisor will help you with the DSA forms as soon as we are aware of there being a need for support so please let us know when you apply. We will put in place a student support plan that will outline your needs and what adjustments we can put in place for you during your studies.
Student Services
We run a variety of services offering advice, guidance and support for all students. Whether you want help applying for your next programme of study, information on employment, or personal and emotional support, our team is here to help. Visit our wellbeing page for more information on personal and emotional support.
Many of our students struggle with their course because of something that is happening away from college that impacts on finance, time for additional study, completion of assessments or even just getting into college.
It’s rare that you’ll find yourself in a situation we haven’t supported before and so it’s important that you contact us when a problem arises, either through your tutor or directly on hestudentsupport@truro-penwith.ac.uk where we can arrange confidential support and advice. As you work through the year we can put in place Student Support meetings to help you by focussing on overcoming any problem or challenge you may face.
Support for Mature Students
Our students include around 50% school and college leavers and 50% mature learners who are ether returning to study or changing their career paths. This means that we understand the challenges and support mature students need.
Balancing childcare and other care responsibilities, running a home and juggling your studies with part-time employment may seem to be barriers that could stop you taking up a University course, but we have a support team who can work with you to help you manage these challenges.
We have a bursary scheme to help costs of books and equipment and a range of support and guidance to get you ready for your studies once you apply.
Learning Services
At both the Truro and Penwith campuses, the Learning Centres provide a range of relaxed and quiet environments for studying with access to physical and online resources and support from experienced members of staff.
They also have open-access computers, study spaces for individual and group work and, like the rest of the campus, there is free, fast Wi-Fi, allowing students to use personal devices for studying in the Learning Centres if needed.
Learning Centres stock a wide range of resources that can be borrowed free of charge to help students find credible and relevant information and offer resources in many different formats.
The Online Library catalogue can be accessed both on and off campus and allows students to search a catalogue of books, e-books, online resources, subject-specific journals, DVDs and CDs.
Many online resources can be accessed at home as well as on campus and renewals can be managed online by by logging on to a student library account.
Careers Guidance
Bespoke careers tutorial sessions and unlimited individual careers appointments are available during your studies. Our level 6 qualified and CDI registered careers advisor will offer impartial, personalised advice, supporting students with career planning, skills development and all aspects of the recruitment process. University of Plymouth students also benefit from access to their online career resources, including free access to LinkedIn Learning. Student feedback is sought post appointment and after class sessions with resources being continually updated and developed.
Additional Information
College Charter
The College expects you to work hard, so you should have the right to expect a number of things from the College. The level of service that the College aims to achieve is set out in the College Charter, obtainable from receptions at each campus.
For support enquiries please contact:
Email: hestudentsupport@truro-penwith.ac.uk
Telephone: 01872 305747