Our peaceful Library provides you with the perfect environment to study however you want to.
Our Library is open to all students in college and 24 hours a day for our University Centre Sparsholt students. With designated study areas for group and individual work, our students have access to research online journals on the suite of computers, find specialist books, or just enjoy a quiet space to focus. Our computers are equipped with all the software needed to work independently on your assignments, and staff are fully trained to support our students’ work. Printing facilities are also available.
Library opening hours in term-time
Monday-Thursday, 08:30-18:00 (last entry 17:30), Friday 08:30-17:00
24hr Library access may be available to students on request, please enquire at the Library.
For our Higher Education students we also have our Higher Education Study Centre, a dedicated building for our Foundation, Honours and Master’s degree students. This study retreat offers computer facilities, mentoring rooms and a lounge. This investment is a continuation of the growth of Undergraduate and Postgraduate study at University Centre Sparsholt.
For further information about support and resources available to Higher Education students – please see our Support and Resources – Higher Education page.
Newly opened in 2020, the Careers Hub is a new space containing comprehensive careers support and information, located in the library. Set up to provide an open access service and a ‘one-stop-shop’ for students to make sure that they know their next steps, and prepare them for life after College.
Filled with resources area to help students gain more knowledge about careers, apprenticeships and higher education, the Careers Hub will also be a place where Sparsholt’s Head of Careers Carol Allen and team will be available for walk-in or booked appointments. Find out more about our Careers services here.
The brand new Support Hub is Sparsholt’s one-stop-shop for student support. Located at the centre of the campus, the Hub is home to our Wellbeing and Additional Learning Support teams as well as the on-site College Nurse.
Wellbeing Hub
The Wellbeing Hub is an open and calm space for anyone looking to take a step away from the busy campus around them. The space consists of a large, communal areas with comfy seating and space for mindful activities – the perfect spot to relax and take five minutes out. There are also private rooms, where students are able to have confidential conversations with members of our Support teams should they wish.
Additional Learning Support (ALS)
The ALS Hub is home to our specialist Additional Learning Support team, who are always on hand to support you with your studies at Sparsholt. The space is welcoming an friendly, with a drop in lounge area, a large computer suite which students can access throughout the College day, and smaller rooms for group working or 1:1 sessions. Students can pop in to chat about any support needed throughout their time at Sparsholt.
College Nurse
The College Nurse is located at the Support Hub, and has a private treatment room to support students with medical needs and those who emergency medical care.
Sparsholt College, in partnership with IT services company risual, opened a Microsoft Academy in January 2017. This facility enables the College to introduce courses that tackle the digital skills gap in the region by upgrading students’ skills through the Microsoft certification.
The Microsoft Academy provides a new IT suite, complete with custom graffiti where new students study courses and Apprenticeships from the latest in cyber security to cloud infrastructure technicians. The new suite of exciting IT, software, web and telecoms professionals Apprenticeships can also be accessed by the wider business community to train their next generation of IT professionals, as well as providing opportunities to external businesses for digital marketing within their own organisations.
Take a break from studying at Sparsholt College’s range of on-site food and drink options.
For breakfast and lunch options served throughout the day, the Bytes restaurant serves a variety of hot and cold food for our students to enjoy. From a salad bar, to refrigerated takeaway snacks and a make-your-own pizza bar, there’s an option for everyone.
At the College shop, students can purchase a variety of items for student life alongside a variety of food and drink options. Alongside refreshments to grab and go, the shop also stocks essential living items found in supermarkets – giving our resident students easy access to wide range of products without needing to leave the College campus.
For those pick-me-up treats, students can grab a coffee at the Starbucks outlet found in the Bytes Restaurant, or the Costa machine in the College shop.
Students looking for some downtime can head to MJ’s, where food and drinks can be purchased for lunches and dinners from Joe De Frango (Sparsholt’s very own Peri peri chicken restaurant), all whilst enjoying a game of pool or table tennis, and using the suite of computers available within the relaxed area.
Enjoying the social side of Sparsholt is a key factor for both our resident students, and those who travel in every day. This is why our range of social hubs around campus are so popular.
Students looking for some downtime can head to MJ’s, where food and drinks can be purchased for lunches and dinners from Joe De Frango (Sparsholt’s very own Peri peri chicken restaurant), all whilst enjoying a game of pool or table tennis, and using the suite of computers available within the relaxed area.
In the evenings, our on-site bar is the perfect place to hang out. Alongside delicious pizza options, students can purchase a range of drinks to enjoy their evenings. From soft drinks and milkshakes, to alcoholic beverages (strictly for over 18s), the bar is always a hub of activity.
Our bar is also the prime location for our student events and nightlife. From the Freshers’ parties, to the Christmas and summer balls, and many other charity events such as karaoke, foam parties, bar bingo, quizzes, pool or darts competitions, there’s plenty of activities to enjoy with your friends.
If you’re looking for a quiet space to relax, our Library is the best spot to chill out, with a variety of games and activities available for students to use.
Only 3 miles down the road from Sparsholt is the historical city of Winchester. With vibrant nightlife, café culture, museums, cinemas and plenty of shopping you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy bustling city life alongside studying in the countryside. Degree students also have the option to live on site at University of Winchester to get the whole university experience as well as access to the student union to join in on all the entertainment, clubs and societies.
Take a look at this Winchester Visitor Guide to get a real feel of everything Winchester has to offer.
Services
From a lift to the super market, to late night collections from Winchester, our residential team are always on hand to ensure our students are always safe and well looked after.