NATIONAL CITIZEN SERVICE

FAQs

Your most frequently asked NCS questions

Below you’ll find answers to the questions we get asked the most about the National Citizen Service.

The NCS programme takes place over three consecutive weeks but does not include the weekends.
NCS takes place during the Summer and there are a choice of starts dates know as ‘waves’.

The first week is a residential in Staffordshire across two locations, dependent on wave. The second week is a residential at Buckinghamshire New University, High Wycombe. The third week is non-residential, based around Aylesbury and High Wycombe (also dependent on which wave).

When you choose a wave you will get a confirmed place on that date. If you need to change your wave date for some reason please ring the NCS Team on 0300 003 2334 and we will happily change your wave as long as we still have availability.

The cost of the NCS programme is £50 including transport, activities and accommodation. We often have promotions running where NCS is reduced to £30.

Yes bursary places are available. Please contact the team to discuss this further.

Prior to programme we run a ten pin bowling evening for just young people and also a Teambuilding day, BBQ and Parent Information session. These aren’t compulsorily but are a great opportunity for young people to come along and meet their team and staff members.

Yes absolutely! You can tell us a friend that you would like to be linked with. We guarantee you will be in a group together, and you can choose who you will stay with. However, if you are coming on your own don’t worry you will meet people at the induction events.

On week one you will be staying in tents of up to six people. On week two, you have your own room in a flat of between 8-12 people. These are in the student halls at Bucks New Uni.

Yes of course! Please bring a portable charging device with you though as there is limited access to plug sockets, especially on week one

No. We will always encourage people to get involved in activities at whatever level they feel comfortable but would never force anyone to do anything they don’t want to do.

You do not receive UCAS points. However, NCS is UCAS recognised and there is a drop down option on your application where you can tick that you have participated in the NCS programme.

All your food, activities and transport are covered for weeks one and two. On week one, you may wish to bring some money for refreshments/ snacks from the tuck shop. On week two, you can bring money for when you are in and around High Wycombe.

The Celebration event takes place in September when all programmes have finished and is an opportunity for parents/ guardians to come along and celebrate the achievements of all the NCS Graduates.
The Graduate scheme is a series of extension activities/ opportunities for NCS Graduates to get involved in after the programme has finished. They centre around learning new skills and further opportunities for social action.
Yes, the programme counts as your residential so long as you are enrolled with the Gold award when your wave starts. Please ask your team leader to fill in the assessor report while you are on programme.

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