5 Peter Symonds' College reviews

I divorced in 2014 and had worked as a cleaner for 18 years. After divorcing I knew I need to support myself and get a good career and prospects, I needed to keep my head above water and not become a statistic. Nervously I registered and was interviewed by a lovely lady. Imagine my surprise when I got in! Not learning since school some 30 years ago, I threw myself in and absorbed everything they taught me. Knowing my background, my lecturers cheered me on and listened to my worries. They have coaxed me and explained things time and time again if I didn't understand something. They have given my work fair criticism and sat me down and told me where I went wrong or what I lacked. They gave me the tools for critical thinking and self reflection through learning. Within this time my confidence grew and I was able to gain a job in a local hospital as business support administrator, within 4 months of this I applied for a P.A's position and got it! All down to the work and encouragement at Peter Symonds. My lecturers advised me on interview techniques and protocols, what to expect and the tools to use to get over hurdles. After finishing my Foundation Degree at Peter Symonds in 2017, I immediately signed up for the BA (Hons) Top up. Although I struggle academically, the lecturers have all been very supportive and guiding. I don't want to think where I'd be today if I hadn't taken the plunge to sign up. They really have helped me change my life into something positive and worthwhile. Now I work as an Executive Assistant! I have with the help and guidance gone from cleaning to an E.A in 3 years. This I believe is testament to the teaching skills of the staff, along with the transferable skills they have taught me to increase my employability. I have no doubt that without doing this Top up degree, I would not be earning the revenue I receive today had it not been for the skills I have been taught. The responsibilities I now have is rewarding and inspiring me to again apply for promotion, to lead teams and inspire others to gain education and rewards. My time a Peter Symonds ACE has been incredible.

I loved everything about the teaching, the creativity of being able to break things down to basic learning levels for me to understand. The lecturers are very approachable and amenable. The only thing was the overlap from a module ending to beginning the next, as we were still working on our reports per module. We spoke at length to the lecturers and this has been amended for the new students. Peter Symonds listens to concerns and strives to amend them. This worked very well for us. We are always welcome to email our lecturers for advice and clarification on our work.

Peter Symonds ACE has the most adequate facilities. It is well laid out, with everything accessible and notices are clear. There is parking on site, a clear bonus in Winchester. The Library is open to all students and we have links to external resources for library services and journals. There is education for special needs clients and we see them in the restaurant area, always happy and polite. Also eating tables outside and nice garden area to sit in. It is like a family atmosphere, inclusion for all. Everyone is polite and helpful.

The support is amazing. Again the academic support I have received has enabled me to be where I am today, as I explained in previous answers. Having gone through a challenging, stifling home life which ended in a traumatic divorce, the personal support I have had is incredible. Although not seen by the councillor at Peter Symonds the staff know my background and have been just incredibly supportive.

Majority of the assignments are work based which means that you are applying the theory to actual business situations

The classes are small and staff are very supportive which is brilliant especially when you have had a break from studying.

6

The classrooms are clean and comfortable. Though some rooms could do with more plugs for charging laptops. Have managed to get access to most resources needed for the course from the library at Peter Symonds and also through the library at Chichester University

The support I have received has been excellent

Each assigment is based around word

Face to face

6

Good

More support is needed academically

I already have a job. My course will help in developing my career opportunities.

I like the mode of delivery, specifically the opportunity to discuss topics as a group. This helps me gain better understanding and develop ideas. I least like the library being on a different site.

6

Fairly good but sometimes hard to navigate. The library is on a separate site and moodle is not very intuitive.

Very good! Openly communicated and easily accessible

N/A - Already in employment prior to starting course

Teaching is very good. Interesting, engaging and supportive. Sometimes there can be a bit of inconsistency in what is required of us.

6

OK. Parking is a complete nightmare. As a satellite campus we don't have our own library so we have to go to the main site which can be inconvenient.

Brilliant. They are really supportive and always willing to help.