Applying for courses

College applications

Each college has its own dates for applications. You’ll apply through each individual college.

You need to check with the college, or colleges, you're applying to and find out what their process is.

Five important things to find out:

1. How to apply – is it an online form?

2. Will you need to attend an interview, or provide a portfolio or any other additional information? 

3. Can you apply for more than one course? Is there a limit to how many courses you can apply for?

4. What are the closing dates?

5. What happens once you've submitted your application? How, and when, can you expect to find out if you've been offered a place?

Click on the above links to visit each college and complete the following activities:

• Think about an important question – do you want to go to college or complete an apprenticeship?

• Remember you must be in education or training ( Apprenticeship) until you are 18 years of age.

• Look through the website at the variety of courses on offer.

• Pick which course(s) / qualification you are interested in taking when you leave secondary school.

• Look at the entry requirements for this qualification.

• It may be that you need to study a lower level if you do not meet the entry requirements for a level 3 course.

• Look at the content of the course and what will be required of you while studying (e.g. is work experience a mandatory component).

• Look at the application process (how to apply).

• Make a note of key dates (open evenings / application deadlines etc).

• Travel – Can you physically get to the college or workplace?

• Do I need to re-take my GCSE in Maths or English, if so, can I do this here?

• Remember not to be tempted to pick a college / course just because your friends are going there / taking that course.

• Remember to research what Career you are planning to go into. Make sure the course you study will enable you to reach your career goal….

• You can use a Career quiz to help you with careers research & employability skills.

• Make sure you have your CV completed and up to date.

• Make sure you are prepared for the interview process & questions.

• Year 11 students receive a 1-2-1 Careers interview with a careers advisor during the academic year.

During September of Year 11 we invite Post 16 Providers into school to host an information assembly to give students an insight to what is available to them post Stanway School. We encourage all our students to visit as many providers as possible to give them a broad selection to choose from. We also encourage students to apply to multiple providers to ensure they have options come August.

You may be entitled to some financial support to continue in education once you leave Stanway. Please click on the link below for more information

www.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund/overview

For more information about T Levels visit -

September Guarantee

The September Guarantee is a guarantee of an offer, made by the end of September, of an appropriate place in post-16 education or training for every young person completing compulsory education.  Ensuring that every young person has an offer of a place to progress onto is particularly important as it helps young people make a seamless transition into post-16 learning or employment with training.

The September Guarantee is supported by good quality information, advice and guidance. This can come from a number of sources which include:

• Teachers

• Parents and family friends

• Careers Coordinators and Guidance Advisers

• On-line and printed information about courses, progression routes and employment routes

What does the Guarantee offer?

The September Guarantee is an offer of a place in one of the following:

• A school sixth form

• A college of further education

• Employment with training to at least level 2

• An apprenticeship

Very useful link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/september-guarantee-offers-of-education-or-training-for-16-to-17-year-olds