Going to Sixth Form or College

 

Stage 1 - Choosing a course

There are hundreds of different courses on offer. How do you choose the right one?

  • Look at the Choice website to narrow down the courses suitable for you
  • Prospectus - this is a booklet, produced individually by each institution, which tells you what courses it does and something about each.
  • Fact Sheets - these give more detail than the main prospectus. You can ring up and request leaflets on particular courses or collect the ones you want at an Open Evening.
  • Open Events allow you to visit a school or college and help you get a feel for it. You also have a chance to talk to subject teachers about any courses you might be interested in.
  • Personal Adviser: each school has a Personal Adviser. They can help you look into different courses

Stage 2 - How to Apply

Application Form

You may be given an application form in school,or you can ring up and request one.

  • Fill in the form in as much detail as you can. Teachers, parents and Personal Advisers can help you with this.
  • Your school will then complete the reference for you. This is often done before Christmas so you need to start your planning early.

Interview

You will be called for an interview, probably between January and March .

  • This interview is to make sure you are aiming for the right course - one you ’ll enjoy, and also one you ’ll be able to finish successfully.
  • When you and your interviewer are happy you are making the right choice of course, you will be offered a provisional place. This means that as long as you achieve the grades required you will be able to start that course in September.

Stage 3 - GCSE results

If you don ’t achieve the grades you need for your course, don’t wait until September to talk to someone, go and see a Personal Adviser to talk about other options.

 

Stage 4 - Starting your Course

You will need to go to school or college at the start of September  to enrol (register for your course).