Reasons why you should study in Broadstairs

Could our college be the right place for you to study? We’ve put together some of the top reasons EKC Broadstairs College might be the right fit, and what we think makes our campus stand apart from any other. 

One big community 

One thing we pride ourselves on is our sense of community. We encourage departments to come together regularly to celebrate our college, the students and what we have to offer. Whether we’re standing united at our yearly Remembrance Day services, supporting students’ fundraising events or taking to the spine road to compete in soapbox races, there’s always friendly competition and encouragement between students, staff and departments. 

Enjoy the seaside vibes

Our college stands along the beautiful Thanet coast, with Broadstairs often being titled the ‘jewel in its crown’! We are truly spoilt by the beautiful coastline and sea views. Chilling out on one of the award-winning beaches is the perfect way to spend your lunchtime. Why not grab an ice cream at the popular Viking Bay, or take in the stunning views with a stroll along the promenade between Dumpton Gap and Louisa Bay. On a sunny day you may even be able to spot the coast of France! There are also many coastal trails around Broadstairs and the local area for those who love a good scenic walk, or just like to keep fit and active.

Take advantage of our wrap-around support

Our students’ mental health is incredibly important to us. We are here to ensure students feel safe, secure and happy during their time at college, that’s why we have a designated team of counsellors available onsite, every day. Our Wellbeing Room is open to all students who may need a little extra support, or someone to talk to. The team offer group sessions, one-to-one counselling, drop in sessions and student workshops to help with stress management and anxiety. 

Our ALS team also oversee ‘The Hub’, a safe space for students who present with autism, anxiety difficulties, or those experiencing social interaction difficulties. Students can access The Hub during lunch and break times, or if they become overwhelmed during lessons. Staff are on hand to assist and support students to take part in individual and group activities, continue with their learning and ultimately support students to transition out to other social spaces as and when they are ready.

Be a part of something big

We have a thriving Students’ Union; with a staff team whose job role is to ensure the student experience is a positive one. Our Student Experience Officer provides regular trips at reduced costs, whilst our Sports Enrichment Coach ensures students have access to local sports amenities and activities across campus. In the past trips have included West End Theatre, the Harry Potter Studio Tour, Football Matches at Wembley Stadium and Gillingham Football Club and Thorpe Park. There’s always something to appeal to everyone.

We also have a custom-built Student Centre with a ping pong table, air hockey, pool table and games consoles. The Student Centre is the perfect place for students to hang out during down-time, catch up with friends or even meet new like-minded people. The Student Centre is always playing host to a variety of fun events, clubs and activities so it’s worth popping in to see what’s going on.

Take advantage of our food options

We have some lovely spots to grab food on campus. Our refectory may be all the way up on the third floor (don’t worry, we have lifts!) but this means it provides the loveliest sea views. What better way to eat your lunch than by watching the sea? Alternatively, our Inspire Café offers many speciality drinks and fresh treats in a calm and relaxed environment. Treat yourself to a slice of cake, get comfy on one of the sofas and watch the day go by.

Study in a wildlife-filled campus

We take a lot of pride in how beautiful our campus is. With so much greenery, the wildlife is thriving! Why not try to spot some of the Swifts who frequent the Swift Boxes (the first of their kind in Kent) which are installed on the Inspire building, or our onsite family of foxes. Students can also come across squirrels, parakeets, and kestrels around campus if they’re beady eyed. Take a walk around the campus and see how many animals you can spot.

Work placements on our doorstep

We are the only college in the country to play host to a fully functioning onsite hotel, which provides many of our students invaluable and unique work experience opportunities. From our Supported Learning students who learn life skills through housekeeping tasks, to our Catering students who provide student lunches to the public, and our Business and Administration T Level students who shadow various departments to learn how to run a successful business. Early Years students are also lucky enough to gain work placements at our onsite nursery and Hair and Beauty at The Salon.

All of these experiences allow our students to gain first-hand knowledge of their respective industries before they even finish their studies. This helps them stand out from the crowd when applying for work as they already have experience working within a professional environment.

Source: broadstairscollege.ac.uk