Introduction

College vision statement

College mission statememt

College anthem

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introduction

This Student Handbook provides students with information on many facets of college life at Gemal College, such as its policies and procedure, community resources, organisations, and college services. This booklet is written for every student enrolled in one or more courses at Gemal College.

The purpose this Handbook is to assist students in understanding their rights, and responsibilities as students. This Handbook is an official publication of the College. While officially enrolled at the college, students are responsible for abiding by its rules, which are intended to facilitate and sustain the ongoing business of the College. The College Has committed itself to students’ development and to the support of those rules designed to enhance and protect their individual rights.

Students are responsible for familiarising themselves thoroughly with the contents.

Gemal college was established in January 2000 by a group of educationalist with considerable experience in higher education. Through continuous dedication and focus, the college has grown in terms of its student population, range of courses offered and lecturing team. Today, the college takes pride in its facilities extended over four departments, which are known as Department of Health Care Studies, Business Studies, Information Technology and Language studies. Students from a wide variety of background including home student and foreign students, achieve their academic goals through our college. These successes are achieved through qualified and experienced lecturing team, constant monitoring standards and the involvement of students in providing regular feedback. Gemal College offers only those programs which are fully recognised by the education sector in the UK and abroad.

College has a win-win relationship with all the institutions whose courses are offered. We are approved centre and accredited by the following institutions / departments.

1. Association of Business Executives ABE
2. University of London External Programme
3. Oxford Cambridge RSA Examination OCR
4. City & Guilds
5. Institute for the Management of Information Systems IMIS.
6. Institute of Financial Services ifs
7. Quality Management Systems BSEN ISO – 9001-2000
8. Investors in People.
9. Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner - OISC.
10. North London IAG  - Information Advice Guidance
11. University and Colleges Admission Service UCAS – 17190
12. DEA - Development Education Association.

THE GEMAL COLLEGE MISSION AND STRATEGIC INTENT

The College’s mission is documented in the Gemal College Strategic Plan
as follows:

gemal college vision statement

Gemal College is committed to being the best college in its class in the United Kingdom. We are dedicated in creating a better world through the discovery and application of knowledge. Gemal College’s academic programs and college culture would prepare students for their lives as engaged global citizens and leaders.

gemal college mission statement

The Search for knowledge has no boundaries and Gemal College  delivers their unique and friendly training on a global basis combined with established forms of teaching

Gemal College London embodies and delivers Premiere class education and research in Health and Health social Care, with particular regard to their application in Caring, Language and Computer Skills, Commerce and Accountancy. We foster interdisciplinary working internally and collaborate widely externally:

OUR STRATEGIC INTENT

In further of its mission the College’s Strategic Plan identifies a Strategic
Intent which, as at January 2005, sets out the following aims:

● To remain amongst the top tier of Health and Social Care studies, computing
    and Language, Commerce and Accountancy teaching institutions in the UK.

●To develop our range of academic activities to reflect the changing needs of
  society, industry, commerce and healthcare. To continue to attract and
   develop the most able students and staff Worldwide.

 ●To communicate widely the significance of Health and social Care in general,
    and the purpose and ultimate benefits of our activities in particular.

gemal college anthem

  G                E              M             A              L
  God       Eternal      Mercy     And        Love

1
We seek God’s eternal mercy and love
To sustain us everyday
As academia we pursue
And
Life skills, life skills, life skills
At Gemal College

2
Higher education our aim
We declare, here and now
Every resource is employed
We pursue
Life skills, life skills, life skills
At Gemal College

3
Let faculty and students join
In one triumphant song
Thanks to eternal mercy and love
We attain
Life skills, life skills, life skills
At Gemal College

quality policy statement

OVERALL AIMS

Gemal College aims to provide national qualifications which:

• Meet the changing needs students
• Provide students with an intellectual challenge.
• Develop student skills and personal qualities applicable in all aspects of working life.
• Prepare and help students to achieve success in their working lives
• Link theory to practice

OUR COURSES ARE DESIGNED TO REACH THE FOLLOWING AIMS:

To provide opportunities for continuing personal and professional development and develop students’ skills and techniques, personal qualities and attitudes essential for professional counselling practice.

To develop students’ ability to work in different environment through effective use and combination of the knowledge and skills gained in different parts of the programme and work based learning.

To provide flexibility, knowledge, skills and motivation as a basis for progression to graduate and post graduate studies.

To provide a sound ethical base regarding good practice and awareness of issues relating to gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, race, culture and religion

The realisation of our mission to achieve, sustain, and improve the quality of services provided, that will continuously meet the stated, implied and perceived needs of the students. This is to help us fulfil our vision: “to help students achieve what they want to be”

The College’s Quality Management System has been developed to conform to the requirements of ISO 9001 : 2000 and is registered and regularly audited as reaching the requirements of this Standard and the Quality Manager, is responsible for monitoring and reporting directly to the Academic Board on the implementation and effectiveness of this Policy and facilitating the process of continuous improvement.

quality assurance policies and procedures

Gemal College has created some policies that are consistent with what the accrediting bodies have. Through this, we have generated the framework for the development of future quality control.

ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS

The academic structures and regulations of Gemal College would ensure maintenance of academic standards and monitoring and evaluation of the course and assessment within the course. Assessed theoretical work will be subjected to double marking and moderation policy of the College. Samples of work will be submitted to external examiners who if they wish, have the right to scrutinise the whole cohort of work. External examiners would be given a minimum of ten days to moderate assessments. Students will play a very important role in enhancing the Programme by providing feedback on regular basis via Programme feedback forms.

 How is this programme monitored, evaluated and reviewed

The programme will be monitored internally by the School using information gathered from the following sources:

Statistical information held on the College databases relating to recruitment,   progression and achievement.

External moderator’s Reports
Internal moderator’s Report
Student Academic Report
Learner and teacher evaluation
Student Feedback

How are learners and tutors involved in this process?

The academic board will provide a forum for discussion between all learners and staff involved in all aspects of the Programme.
Learners will elect student members of the Academic Board at the start of each academic year, to ensure that all the various interests on the programme are adequately represented.

The Programme will hold a Board meeting once every term. The membership will include:
• Student representatives
• Curriculum leader/chair of academic group
• Academic staff aligned to the delivery of the Programme or course units.

Within this strategy the College “intends to continue to recruit high calibre
students, maintain admission standards, support its students, offer excellent
teaching and create a stretching and exciting learning experience.” *

The College has developed quality assurance policies and procedures to
support the achievement of the College’s educational strategic intents.

delivering a quality service

At Gemal College we are committed to delivering a high quality service and we make quality assurance an integral part of our processes.

The following are the steps in the process of enrolling a new student at Gemal College

• All applications for enrolment are made on the form headed ‘Application for Admission’ or via the online Application for admission form. (See www.gemalcollege.co.uk)

• The completed form is sent to the College with;

• A non refundable application fee of £70

• Student’s document and certificates etc.

•  The college will acknowledge receipt of the application form to student/parent/ sponsor. Students should understand that the College’s acceptance of the application form does not guarantee a place, but simply includes the student’s name on a register of applicants together with other candidates.

•  Student application will be considered by the course coordinator

• Once the entry requirement has been met and the minimum deposit received, successful students will receive an acceptance letter and information pack giving details of arrival procedure, timetable etc.

• The Principal has the right of discretion in all matters related to the enrolment of students.

• Applicant wishing to obtain more information can contact the College’s office or e-mail details of queries at admission@gemalcollege.co.uk

• All international students are required to provide evidence of funds available for pursuing their studies in Gemal College.

NON- ARRIVAL AND NON- ATTENDANCE OF STUDENTS

Overseas students who do not arrive at College to complete their enrolment and commence their lectures in time for the start of their course once they have been granted a UK Student visa must inform the College in advance of their situation and acquire an appropriate extension on the start of their course.

• Students who have paid their tuition fee but fail to attend the course they have applied for, will be referred to:
1. The sponsor
2. The Interested Authorities ( e.g. Home Office ,Embassy that issued the student visa)

Late students who do not fulfil these requirements will be deemed to have absented themselves from their course and may be expelled from the College, in accordance with the College’s regulations on non-arrival. Students expelled in this manner will not be eligible for any refund of their paid tuition fees.

conditions of admission

All tuition must be paid before studies are commenced. However, by arrangement student could pay tuition by agreed terms. Failure to pay per agreed terms incurs an additional re-enrollment charge of £70.00.

 Bankers Drafts, should be crossed and made payable to GEMAL COLLEGE.

Fee must be paid before a student attends classes. Identity Cards must be carried whilst on the College premises. All courses are full-time. Students are expected to attend classes regularly. In cases of absence due to sickness a Doctor’s Certificate should be provided.

Students should be in the class within five minutes from the time the lesson has started otherwise they may not be accepted in the class and will be marked absent.

It is the responsibility of the students to study the regulations and entry conditions for external examinations. Examination fees are not included in Tuition Fees. Examination fees of Awarding Bodies must be paid in full before students are entered for exams.

The administrative department must be informed immediately of any change of address. It is the student's responsibility to provide valid and up-to-date contact information for themselves and, when appropriate, their sponsor. This contact information should include an e-mail address and a telephone and fax numbers. The College will not be liable for any damages, financial or otherwise, resulting from the release of the student's personal information to a third party as a result of communication with an invalid or insecure contact point.

CANCELLATION OR RESCHEDULING OF COURSE(S)
The college reserves the right to make essential modifications or changes to courses. Courses are offered subject to demand. In cases of insufficient admissions or enrolments, the College reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any courses without liability.

Fees paid are not refundable unless ALL the following conditions are satisfied:

A)  The student has not entered the UK
B)  The student provides proof to the satisfaction of the College that the British Authorities have refused her or him an entry visa.
C)  The claim for the refund is made in writing not later than two weeks prior to the commencement of the course.
D) All original documents and receipts are returned to the college
E)  In all cases for a refund £200 deduction is made to cover administrative costs. A refund will also be offered in the event of the course being curtailed or terminated by the college and the student does not undertake an alternative course of study at the college.

NATIONAL VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

• The focus of this course of study is to provide a relevant and flexible education/training, work-placements, volunteering opportunities, relevant underpinning knowledge modules, assessment and verification to suit student’s  needs.
• This provision is regularly monitored and reviewed.
• A Quality Control and Internal Verification process is in place to ensure that consistent testing and assessment standards are maintained by regular consultation with students, assessors, Internal Verifiers/Centre Co-ordinators and Awarding Bodies.
• Internal Verification is carried out on an on-going basis.
• All cases of borderline achievement are re-Verified.
• Where a new assessor is employed, all work is counter signed until the Internal Verifier is satisfied and their assessment also meets Gemal College quality standards.
• Internal Verification on candidates’ work and records is recorded. Information from the awarding body is disseminated to all members of staff involved in assessing.
• The organisation’s policy for equal opportunities is implemented and monitored.

NVQ PROGRAMME 

Student enrolling on the NVQ Programme  would be expected to undertake work placement  in Health, Social Care and Early years profession.
 
New students/candidates may enroll at any point during the year and attend the modular sessions, which are timetabled quarterly.
Group classes for new-students will start at any point on the programme and will run accordingly to their NVQ level needs. Gemal college  reserve the right to discontinue lessons where progress, effort or attendance is unsatisfactory

It is the intention of Gemal College and all its serving projects to offer a full service reliant on professional priorities. A large part of our service is to provide accredited training and verify candidate competencies by assessing them to National Standards. Internal Verification is an important component of the said assessment process. Internal Verifiers of Gemal College will be available for consultation and fulfil the training/development needs of our assessors and students.

 APPROVAL OF PROPOSALS FOR NEW  PROGRAMMES OF STUDY

In almost all instances the initiative for introducing a new programme of study or radically altering an existing one emanates from one or more
departments. Heads of Department are required to ensure that such
proposals are considered by at least two departmental bodies - the first
dealing with programme content and the quality of teaching and the second being a more general body with a wide academic overview, such as a staff
meeting. Before putting forward new proposals, departments use a
range of external agencies for advice on the merits of what is being
suggested including accreditation bodies.

INTERNAL REVIEW PROCEDURES

Existing programmes of study at undergraduate level are reviewed regularly
by the senior lecturers. The reviews aim to expose all facets of
undergraduate teaching in academic departments to peer review in a
constructive non-confrontational manner and to assure the Committee that
students are set and enabled to achieve appropriate standards in the
subject area.

This requires the department and the College administration to prepare a review document supported by statistical data for consideration by the Committee to discuss the programmes with the Head of Department and with students, as well as to view the facilities.

EXTERNAL REVIEW PROCEDURES

The College appoints External Assessors and Verifiers with considerable experience of examining to determination that internal marking and standardisations and classifications are of an appropriate standard and consistency.

 External Moderators and Verifiers from Awarding Bodies regularly visit the College to audit and ensure the appropriate standards are maintained.

leisure

Finsbury Park is well served with many restaurants and fast food establishments. There are Banks and Building Societies around the vicinity. It is also very close to the West End of London, well known for its superb nightlife, good entertainment, restaurants, Discos and Cinemas. The Finsbury Park Leisure Centre offers various sporting facilities for the fitness fanatic and students could enrol as members of the gym and other facilities provided.

health services

Registering at the health centre is free. If you are prescribed any medicines, you may have to pay for the prescription (approximately £6) when you collect it from the pharmacist.

If your course lasts for six months or longer, you will receive free treatment from family doctors and hospitals. Charges are made for medicines but these are quite small and it may not be worth taking out insurance for these.  You will have to pay for spectacles and for most types of dental treatment and the costs of these are higher.  If you are staying less than 6 months then you are advised to take out medical insurance.  If you are a student from the EU, you are entitled to free treatment from the family doctor even if you are here for less than six months.  You may not, however, be entitled to free hospital treatment

Whittington Hospital, a large government hospital is near to the college. The college also provides information on how to register with a General Practitioner (GP).

career advice/personal tutor

We have qualified advisers who can provide impartial and informed careers education and guidance. Careers staff can offer individual interviews.
Your personal tutor will be one of the teaching staff involved with your course and will be responsible for monitoring your progress and helping you with any difficulties you may have.

canteen

The college operate in house canteen available for the students from 11.00am to 5.00 pm. The canteen serves variety of English and continental food at subsidise price.

student welfare/counselling

Gemal college students are its most valued assets and their welfare is its highest concern. The College expects its employees to conduct themselves in a professional and appropriate manner and discourage any inappropriate conduct . Such conduct may result in disciplinary action.

Normally issues and difficulties should be raised with your personal tutor. However, the Welfare Officer is available to deal with issues which cannot be resolved or shared in this way.

We aim to provide all the services you need to study effectively from the day you start. High levels of personal support are available from the Welfare Officer Head of Department and Specialists in the field give students advice on  guidance in future career , financial, personal, and study support issues.

The Welfare Officer  holds information on accommodation, financial hardship, and discounts on travel cards,.  The college would refer students to accredited immigration advisors if required.

Buses: 4, 19, 236, 259,476, 210,W7,W3 and 341
Tube: Finsbury Park (Victoria/ Piccadilly lines)
Train: Finsbury Park

CAR PARKING

There is limited free parking on the some of the roads around college.

airport pick up

Overseas students arriving in the UK for the first time may wish to be met by the College representative at the airport. Students wishing to be collected from the airport must inform the College of the following at least four weeks before the arrival date:

accommodation 

Those students who prefer to be accommodated by the college are put in contact with reliable Estate Agents. On many occasions, families who have rooms to let specifically to students approach us.

married students and families

Generally such accommodation in the UK is severely under pressure. We will, of course render help in locating suitable accommodation for married students and their families, but it is stressed that the situation is more difficult than for single people and the ultimate responsibility lies with the students.

student travel discount scheme

Transport for London (TFL) operates a Student Discount Scheme offering you the opportunity to obtain discounts on travel across the capital. You can obtain a valid Student Oyster Photo card so that you can buy Bus Passes and Travel cards valid for 7 days, one month or longer periods of up to one year at 30% off the equivalent adult rate. To obtain a Student Oyster Photocard you will be charged a fee of £5. Gemal College students can obtain an application for student discount from Student Welfare Office or you may apply online www.tfl.gov.uk.

service organisations

FINSBURY PARK JOBCENTRE PLUS

CONTACT:

52-53 Medina Road
London
N7 7JX
Phone: 0845 603 6347 (Benefits Enquiries); 0845 606 0234 (Jobseeker Direct)
Fax: 020-7301 5939
Minicom: 0845 601 6919
Website: www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
Employers' vacancies line Tel: 0845 601 2001. Provides services to people of working age, and a vacancy filling service to employers. Provides advice on work, training and benefits; help with claiming benefits and extra support; advice on work and benefits; touchscreen , Jobpoints with job vacancies from the UK and Europe; and support from Personal Advisers by appointment.

hospital

The Whittington Hospital NHS Trust
Magdala Avenue
London
N19 5NF
Telephone : 02072723070
Email: communications@whittington.nhs.uk

doctors surgeries, general practictioners

More details on local  General Practitioners (GP’s) are available on www.londononline.co.uk/Health/General_Practitioners

walk in clinic

Private GP appointments at a time convenient to you in London. More details are available at www.DoctorCall.co.uk 

citizens advice bureau

Haringey Citizens Advice Bureau
Tottenham Town Hall
Town Hall Approach Road
West Green
London
Middlesex
N15 4RY
Tel: 0870-126 4030
Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk         

victim support london          

Victim Support is the independent national charity for people affected by crime. Staff and volunteers offer free and confidential information, practical help and emotional support for victims of any crime, whether or not it has been reported and regardless of when it happened. The organisation operates via a network of affiliated local charities, the Witness Service and the Victim Supportline (0845 30 30 900) website : www.victimsupport.org.uk

public library

N4 LIBRARY

Address: 26 Blackstock Road, N4 2DW
Phone: 020 7527 7800
Email: N4.library@islington.gov.uk
Location: Blackstock Road, close to the junction with Seven Sisters Road
Notes: Wheelchair access to all floors. Disabled toilet. Induction loop.

OPENING HOURS:

Monday 9:30am - 8pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 8pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 5pm
Thursday 9:30am - 8pm
Friday 9:30am - 5pm
Saturday 9:30am - 5pm
Sunday close