Starting college is an exciting milestone, whether you're joining us straight from school or returning to education. At West Thames College, we're here to make your transition as smooth as possible. From enrolment and induction to your first lessons, this guide covers everything you need to know before your first day.
Before You Start
Before your course begins, you'll need to complete your enrolment. During enrolment you'll confirm your course, provide any required documentation and receive information about your induction and start date.
Please bring the following with you where applicable:
- Exam results or qualification certificates
- Your enrolment letter or course offer
- Photo identification
- Evidence of loans or funding (if applicable)
- Proof of your right to study in the UK if requested
If your GCSE results weren't quite what you expected, don't worry. Our Careers and Guidance team will discuss your options and help you find the right course.
Find full enrolment information here:
https://www.west-thames.ac.uk/enrol
When Your Course Starts
Your lessons will begin the week starting Tuesday 1 September 2026.
- You’ll get your timetable by email (sent to your personal email) by Friday 28 August. This will tell you what lessons you have, where, and when.
- Some courses begin on Monday 1 September, but others may start later in the week, so check your timetable carefully.
- You’ll also get a text message confirming the date, time and place of your first lesson.
If you have any questions about your timetable, contact your curriculum area administrator. Their details and where to find them on campus are listed below.
Your First Week at West Thames College
The first week is all about settling in:
- You’ll take part in activities to help you learn about college life.
- Staff will get to know you so we can give you the best possible experience.
Starting something new can feel a bit nerve-wracking – that’s normal! We’ll have staff and student ambassadors around to guide you during your first days and weeks, so you won’t be lost or alone.
How College is Different from School
If you’re moving on from school, you’ll notice some big changes. At West Thames College:
- You’ll be expected to be more independent and take responsibility for your learning, including managing your own study schedule and assignments.
- There’s no bell to signal lesson times – you’ll need to check your timetable and make sure you’re in the right place at the right time. You can also access your timetable on your smartphone via ProPortal for extra convenience.
- You’ll call your teachers by their first names, which might feel strange at first but is part of being in a Further Education environment.
- Our term dates can be different from school – check our website for the latest dates.
Once you’ve got your timetable, take a look around campus so you know where your lessons are. This will make your first week much easier.
What Should I Wear to College?
For many of you, this might be the first time you don’t have to wear a uniform – and that can feel like a big change!
- For most courses there’s no set dress code at West Thames College, so you can wear what you like as long as it’s appropriate for college and your course.
- Think about your day when choosing your outfit – comfort is key, and you want something practical for your study environment.
- Hoodies are allowed, but please make sure to keep your hood down at all times around college.
- If you’re on a practical course like Construction, Engineering, Science, Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy or some T Levels, there are specific requirements around uniform and personal protective clothing.
Additional requirements:
- For courses at our Feltham Skills + Logistics Centre, you’ll need to purchase your equipment at the centre. Safety wear information is provided at enrolment.
- For Science courses at our Isleworth campus, students will need to buy their own lab coats and look after them throughout the year.
- For Health & Beauty courses, a uniform is mandatory to maintain high professional standards and meet health and safety requirements. Students must purchase the uniform and wear all black until it arrives (no jeans, no branded clothing). Closed-toe shoes must be worn at all times.
- Wearing safety clothing in workshops is essential for your protection – this is taken very seriously for everyone’s wellbeing.
Dressing for college is a great way to express yourself – just make sure you feel confident, comfortable and safe and we would advise against wearing your most delicate clothes to practical sessions.
Support
If you need any extra support with your studies or life at college, let your teacher or Student Learning Advisor know as soon as possible, so we can put everything in place to help you from day one.
What to Bring
- Pen and paper
- A set of headphones
- Lunch or money for food/drinks
- If you left school in summer 2026, bring your Year 11 school report (if you didn’t already show it when you enrolled).
Before Your First Day
To make your start smoother, try to:
- Download Microsoft Teams (you can’t log in with college details until induction day, but having the app ready helps).
- Log in to Office 365 with your college email to access free software (check if this is available before induction).
- Buy your bus pass and sort out any travel arrangements.
When you arrive at the College, be aware that West Thames College uses Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to keep your online accounts secure. MFA adds an extra layer of protection by requiring both your password and a verification code when you log in. It’s really important for keeping your personal information and college work safe.
You can find a step-by-step guide on how to set up and use MFA here.
Top Tips for Settling In at West Thames College
- Make time to meet new people – starting college is the perfect opportunity to make new friends, whether you already know classmates or are coming in on your own.
- Explore your new surroundings – take a walk around the college during your first days to find classrooms, study areas, cafés, and support services. You’ll soon feel at home.
- Know where to go for support or downtime – make a mental note of places where you can get academic or wellbeing help, study quietly, relax, or grab a snack.
- Join a club, society or sports team – it’s a great way to make friends, build skills and feel part of the WTC community.
And don’t worry if you don’t know where everything is right away – you’ll be surprised how quickly West Thames College starts to feel familiar.
Ready to Begin?
Starting college marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Whether your goal is university, an apprenticeship or your future career, West Thames College is here to help you achieve your ambitions.
We look forward to welcoming you and helping you make the most of your time with us.
