Before you apply

First of all, you need to decide what you want to study. You can arrange to speak with your careers adviser to talk this through, if you need to. Once you know what you want to study, you can find out which learning providers offer the course(s) you are interested in, by looking at their websites or reading their prospectuses. If you are applying to more than one place, attend open events for the places you are interested in applying to. Open events give you the chance to meet staff and find out more about some of the subjects that you are considering studying.

You can apply to more than one place - and/or more than one course at the same institution. Some places allow you to apply for different courses on the same application - you might be asked to indicate your preferred choice - or fill out a separate application form for each course.

Remember that some courses are available at different levels. The level you do depends on your GCSE grades. If you haven't yet got your GCSE grades, think about whether you need to apply for the same course at both a higher and lower level, just in case you don’t get the grades you need for the higher level course.

If you are applying for A levels, you can usually choose up to 4 different subjects.

Making your application
  • When you are ready to apply, find out what the application deadline is. Different places have different closing dates, so make a note of yours. As a guide, applications to colleges, sixth forms and sixth form colleges are usually made between November and January.
  • If you are applying to a training provider, check closing dates by looking at their website or contacting them directly.
  • In some areas you use an online post-16 prospectus and applications portal. If your area uses one of these, you can apply to many different learning providers in your local area using just one application. Not all areas use an applications portal, so check with your careers adviser to see if this is what you will be doing. If your area doesn’t have an applications portal, you will need to apply to each learning provider separately. If this is the case, most learning providers require you to set up an online account, register with their own online applications portal and complete an online application form.
  • Visit the website of the college, sixth form, sixth form college or training provider you want to apply to - each learning provider may have a slightly different application process.
  • If you need a paper version of an application form, contact the college, sixth form, sixth form college or training provider to ask for one, or ask your careers adviser for support.
Important information you will need when completing your application form

The application form will have different sections to complete - these are listed below. Ensure you complete all sections of the application form. If information is missing or incomplete, it could delay your application. 

Personal details. This includes things like your name, address, email address, phone number and the same details for an emergency contact. Do you know your postcode? Do you know the telephone number of your emergency contact (usually a parent or carer)? If not, write them down and have them to hand when you apply.

Qualifications. If you are in Year 11, include your predicted grades here - these are the grades you are currently achieving, not your target grades. Your school or college will tell you if you need to put in your predicted grades - in some schools or colleges, this may be done for you. If you have received a grade from a final exam, this will be classed as an actual grade, rather than a predicted grade.  

Extra support. There might be a section on the form where you can let the learning provider know if you have a learning difficulty or disability. It’s important that you fill this section in - it won’t go against you, but will enable the learning provider to put plans in place to help you, if you need it.

A referees details. These are the details (name, job title, address, email address, phone number) of someone that can provide information about you, to the place you are applying to. What they write is called a reference. A referee is usually your form tutor or head of year, it can't be someone who you are related to.

Make sure you have the necessary information to hand before you begin. This will make the application process quicker and easier! Most places ask for the above information, unless you are applying to continue your studies at your own school’s sixth form. 

Some learning providers may also ask you to write a personal statement. The aim of the personal statement is to tell a college, sixth form, sixth form college or training provider about yourself, your achievements, why you have chosen the course you are applying for and how it fits with your career ambitions. If you need to write a personal statement, see Writing a personal statement for a college application.

What to expect after you've sent your application

Once you’ve sent your application, you may be invited to an interview. Don’t worry, the interview is not a test - it’s more of an informal chat, so you can make sure the course you are applying for is right for you. See Preparing for your college interview, to find out more about what to expect. If you have applied for multiple courses, you may need to attend a separate interview for each course you have applied for. 

Finally, as mentioned above, the place you are applying to will ask for a reference from your school to confirm information about your attendance, punctuality and attitude to learning, as well as your predicted exam grades. This is an incentive to be on your best behaviour…