Applicants

Choosing a course

• Where can I find out more about your courses?
  
  To start searching for the perfect course, you can use our Course Explorer to filter by subject, campus and more. Alternatively, you can use our full Subject List to browse each of the subjects we have to offer.

  Our full-time course guide is also available to download online. This guide aims to bring the student experience to life through various interactive elements. You can choose to create a personalised version in a pdf format that you can save to your PC, tablet or mobile phone, and/or print off for your convenience.

• Can I visit the College to look around, or talk about my options?

  Attending an open event or group guided campus tour is the perfect way to get a feel for college life - visit our events page to view our upcoming dates and book your place.

• Will there be any taster or transition days this summer?
  
  All full-time applicants will be invited to participate in a taster activity at the College, which will take place in June/July. This is a great opportunity to meet your tutors and see where you will be studying.

Your application

• I am interested in a full-time course – what do I do now?
  
  You can apply online. First, find the course you want to study on our website and click the apply button. If you know which course you want to study, you can go straight to the apply now page.

  If you would like to apply for a course but are still unsure of your options, you can book a one-to-one guidance appointment with a qualified careers adviser, which parents are also welcome to attend. Contact the Enrolment Centre via the Live Chat feature on our website or call 0300 123 2344 to book an appointment.

• I am interested in an apprenticeship – what do I do now?

  If you have secured employment with the view of becoming an apprentice, or if you are already employed and would like to join an Apprenticeship programme, please get in touch with us on 01604 734323 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to register your interest.

  If you want to become an apprentice, but do not have a job lined up, you can apply for an apprenticeship qualification online and our team will help you find a job. Alternatively, you can apply for one of our current vacancies through the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS). Each of these job openings are with trusted employers who are looking for an apprentice to join their team. Our website lists our current vacancies – if there’s nothing there for you just yet, please don’t worry. This list is updated every day, so keep checking back.

  If you’re not sure which apprenticeship is best for you, or what to do next, our friendly team can answer any questions you may have about apprenticeships and help you with applications, CV writing, and general advice. Please get in touch with us on 01604 734323 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• I want to study at college, but I’ve been home educated up to now. How do I apply?

  If you are home schooled, we’ll need a bit more information from you to support your application.

  You will need to send evidence that you are Electively Home Educated to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., before being invited in for a BKSB Literacy and Numeracy assessment. This will determine the level you are currently working at, so that we can offer you a place on a course at a suitable level.

• I’ve applied for a full-time course or apprenticeship – what happens next?
  
  Once we have received your application for a full-time course or apprenticeship, we will send you an email acknowledgement including a summary of your application journey.

• I haven’t heard anything from the College about my application - What should I do?

  All communication relating to your application will be sent to the email address you provide, including a confirmation email once you have submitted your application.

  If you have not received your confirmation email, it may be that your application has failed to process, or that the email address used was incorrect. If that’s the case, please contact our Enrolment Centre team via the Live Chat feature on our website or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please include your full name, email address and Student ID number (if known) in any messages to us.

  If you’ve changed your email address recently and did not update your personal details, this could be the reason you haven’t heard from us.

  TOP TIP: Sometimes our emails to you will go into your Spam/Junk folders instead of your inbox. You can save the email address we use into your contact list/address book, to avoid that happening.

• Do I need a DBS check to apply for my course?

  If you have applied for a course in Health and Social Care or Childcare, you must take part in a work placement. This means that before you can start your course in September, you need to be cleared by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to confirm that you can work with children.

  Details on how to apply for this will be sent to you once we have processed your application for these courses.

• What’s the closing date for applications?
  
  We continue to accept applications and enrol students right up to the start of the new academic year. It’s best to apply early though to avoid disappointment. Some of our courses are very popular and we can’t guarantee a place will be available unless we know for sure to expect you.

• Do you accept international students?
  
  We welcome students of all nationalities who are permanently resident within the UK. At present, the College is not able to accept applications from international students who require UK Visas & Immigration Sponsorship.

  Please visit www.gov.uk to find a College/University that can support or assist you.

Confirming your place on GCSE results day

• How can I submit my grades to the College/my tutor?
  
  

  You should receive a text the day before GCSE results day asking you to confirm that you have met the entry requirements for your course once you have received your results. You will need to upload a copy of your results. If you did not receive your text, please contact the Enrolment Centre.

  If you don’t achieve the grades you need, we will offer you a place on a full-time course or apprenticeship at a lower level, preparing you to join your first choice the following year.

• I haven’t got the grades needed to start my course. What should I do?
  
  Don’t worry if your results aren’t what you were hoping for – coming to college is all about a fresh start. We have courses at every level so there will be a course that’s right for you. You should have now received a text and email asking you to confirm your college place. If you did not met the entry requirments for your course, just let us know and we will call you back to discuss your options.

  The first week of the course is an induction period, and students often change levels based on their grades, skills and abilities, so this gives us plenty of time for students to settle into the College.

• I replied to say that I didn’t achieve the right grades to start my course but nobody has got back to me yet
  
  Leading up to GCSE results day in August, we receive thousands of enquiries, so it may take longer than usual for us to respond. We will answer your email or call back request on a first come, first served basis and get back to you as soon as possible. Please bear with us and thank you for your patience.

• I didn’t get the grades to study at Sixth Form – can the College help?
  
  We have a wide range of courses on offer at many levels, so whatever your starting point we can advise you on the best route to take to help you progress. All students will continue to improve their maths and English and if you don’t have a grade 4 at GCSE, we will work with you to help you achieve this. You can send in an application to us at any time and we will get back to you as quickly as we can, or come along to an advice session to discuss your options.

• I’m not happy about the GCSE grades I achieved at school and I’m planning to appeal. What should I do?

  You will need to contact your previous school once they reopen to discuss your results. Once you receive an email from us asking you to confirm your results, please choose the option ‘request a call back’, so that we can discuss this with you further. While you await the outcome of your appeal, we will help you join the most appropriate course in the meantime.

Starting college

• When do I start college?

  The days and times of your induction will depend on which course and level you are enrolled onto. The induction information for the subject area you have applied for will be published on our Document Hub in July 2023. 

  PLEASE NOTE: The course you are enrolled on to will depend on your GCSE grades. For example, if you did not meet the entry criteria for the level of course you have applied for, you may be enrolled onto a lower level and the induction times may be slightly different. We will send you an email asking you to confirm your grades on the day before GCSE results day, so that we can finalise your place for September.

• When can I upload my photo for my college ID card?

  If you are a full-time student, you will receive an text on the day before GCSE Results Day asking you to upload your results. The text will also ask you to send over a photo for your college ID card.

  Here’s a few tips to help you get the perfect photo:

  1. Take a selfie if you can't find anyone to take the photo for you
  2. Only include your head and shoulders, making sure they fill the screen.
  3. Face forwards and look into the camera.
  4. Do not add any filters – any photos including filters will be rejected by our system, causing a delay in you receiving your new ID card.
  5. Do not include any other people or objects in the photo, as our system uses one-face recognition.
  6. Do not have anything covering your head or face (unless it’s for religious or medical reasons)

  If you have not received your email, please send your selfie, using the instructions above, to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. along with your student ID number so we can get it sorted for you.

  If you are studying with us part-time, you will be sent an email requesting a selfie for your ID card between the date of your enrolment and the start of your course.

• When will I get my timetable?

  Before you start college, you will be invited to attend a course induction. A timetable for induction week by individual subject area will be available on our website in July 2023. 

  We plan and issue actual timetables very differently to schools because we keep recruiting students through late August and September. This means there are often late changes to timetable information. Your full study programme timetable will be given to you during induction week to ensure it is as accurate as possible.

• What equipment will I need?

  Extra information about any costs associated with your course such as uniform or equipment will be sent out to you in June/July. If possible, please make sure you have this kit ready for the start of term. We want to make sure finance isn’t a barrier to your college studies, so if you need support, you may be eligible through our Student Bursary scheme. We have access to government funding that could help you depending on your circumstances.

  A pad and a pen are two important things you’ll need, and you should try to take plenty of notes during lessons. You’ll thank yourself later when it comes to revising for exams and writing essays!

  If you are going to be studying maths – you’ll need a maths kit (ruler, protractor, set square, compass and scientific calculator) which you can buy quite cheaply.

• Do I need my own laptop?

  All students aged 16-18 on a full-time study programme will be loaned a laptop or Chromebook when they start their studies with us.

  Each laptop/Chromebook will have Microsoft Office and antivirus software installed, and you will have access to support from our IT helpdesk. Our friendly staff are just a phone call away and can help with a range of technical problems including email, internet, speed, software, viruses, breakages, and much more.

  You will be expected to bring your college laptop or Chromebook with you to every lesson. Digital Skills form part of our curriculum and you will be supported to realise the powerful effect that using technology can have within your learning. You’ll also be given the tools to understand how you can use your laptop to enhance your college experience and improve your ability to study.

  We have strict IT protocols and security measures in place so unfortunately students will not be able to bring in their own laptops to use in college.

• Do you offer any extra clubs/activities?

  During your time at college, you will be able to participate in clubs and day trips, so that you can learn new skills and enhance your CV. There are plenty of Enrichment activities that will help you develop different interests and meet other students from other courses.

• I’ve started a course at my secondary school, but I want to come to college instead. What do I do?

  If you have started a course at your school and decide during September that you would prefer to come to college, please submit an application online and we will do our very best to accommodate you.