Admissions Policy 2015
&
Year 12 to Year 13
Progression Policy
for existing NEW College Students
&
Fees Policy
Contents
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7
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9
10
11
12
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Introduction
A Level Subject Entry Requirements
Subject specific entry requirements and minimum average
GCSE points score
BTEC Subject Entry Requirements
Level 2 Entry Requirements
Individual Assessment
Application Deadlines
Planned Learning Hours
Programme of Study
Teacher Access Period Policy (TAPs)
How do Students Apply?
Applications from students who attend schools with sixth
forms or outside area
College Tours
Application Form
First Interview
Financial Support for Students
Academic Scholarship
Applicants with Disabilities or Learning Difficulties
Equality and Diversity
Enrolment Day
Waiting Lists
Administration Fee
Unacceptable Qualifications
Higher Education Courses on offer at NEW College (Post 18)
Funding
Principal’s Right
Complaints
Year 12 to Year 13 Progression Policy for existing NEW
College Students
Year 13 Programme of Study
Enrolment Fee
Progression Day – Y12 and Y 13
Introduction:
NEW College is committed to providing places on an open-access basis. Our entry
requirements are generic and indicative only. The college is committed to recruiting with
integrity. This may sometimes mean that we will offer a student a place at College subject
to our guidance on the Programme of Study. IAG is provided at all stages and takes into
account a range of factors including GCSE score, predicted grade, actual grade and other
factors. The College reserves the right to refuse admission to a course in some cases, even
where the generic requirements are met. This is in the interests of student success.
A Level - Subject Entry Requirements
The minimum entry requirement for 2015/16 is that all students studying level 3 must have
achieved at least a grade C in English Language. In addition students will have to meet the
subject specific entry requirements which may consist of a GCSE grade and a minimum
average GCSE points score.
Please note: There will be exceptions to subject specific entry requirements. At enrolment
the interviewer will use their professional judgement when deciding if a student can enrol
onto a course without meeting the minimum average GCSE points score requirements.
How to work out Average GCSE Points Score (using GCSE’s only)
A*
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
U
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Add up total points score and divide by the number of GCSEs they have
taken. This calculation excludes BTECs.
Please note: This will be used as a guide when choosing subjects at the
school interview. GCSE points score will be mainly used post GCSE
results.
1
Subject Specific Entry Requirements and Minimum Average GCSE
Points Score
A Level
Subject Specific Entry Requirements for 2015/16
Accounting
Art and Design
Biology
Business
Chemistry
Computer Science
Dance
B in Maths
C in a creative subject or merit in BTEC (if studied)
B in Biology or Additional Science plus a B in Maths
C in Maths
B in Chemistry or Additional Science plus a B in Maths
B in Maths
C in Performing Arts subject or a merit in BTEC (if
studied) or audition
C in Performing Arts subject or a merit in BTEC (if
studied) or audition
B in Maths
C in English Language
B in English Language
B in English Language
B in French and B in English Language
C in Maths
Drama
Economics
English Lang & Lit
English Literature
Film
French
Geography
Geology
Government and
Politics
Graphic Design
Health and Social
Care
History
Law
Maths
Further Maths
Media
Music
Music Technology
Photography
Physical Education
Physics
Psychology
Religious Studies
Sociology
Spanish
Textiles and Fashion
Design
B in Science (core or Additional or separate science)
C in English Language
C in a creative subject (if studied)
C in English Language or a merit in BTEC Health and
Social Care
C in History (if studied)
C in English Language
B in Maths
A* in Maths
C in English Language
C in Music or a merit in BTEC (if studied) – Grade 5
standard in practical and theory
C in Music or a Merit at BTEC (if studied)
C in a creative subject or a merit at BTEC (if studied)
C in PE or Science or a merit in BTEC Sport
B in Physics or Additional Science and B in Maths
B in either Maths or Science
C in English Language
C in English Language
B in Spanish and a B in English Language
C in a creative subject or a merit at BTEC (if studied)
2
Minimum average
GCSE points score
for 2015/16
5
N/A
5.8 (or A in Maths)
5
5.8 (or A in Maths)
5.8
N/A
N/A
5.5
4.8
4.8
5
5.6 (or A in French)
5.5 (or C in
Geography)
5
5
N/A
N/A
5
4.8
5.4 (or A in Maths)
5.8
4.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
5
5.8 (or A in Maths)
5
4.8
5
5.6 (or A in
Spanish)
N/A
BTEC Subject Entry Requirements
Vocational Pathway – BTEC (Level 3)
 All BTEC qualifications require students to have achieved: a grade C in English GCSE.
 At least a Merit if studied the subject at Level 2.
 A minimum of 4 GCSE grade Cs or equivalent.
Exceptions: for students who achieve a grade D in English
If a student has achieved a D in English and wishes to study an Extended Diploma, the
prospectus entry requirements state that they will need to have achieved a level 2
Distinction in the subject they want to study at Level 3.
BTECs (Level 3)
Please note: The brackets indicate the number of A Level equivalence
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Art & Design BTEC Extended Diploma (x3)
Business BTEC Diploma (x2)
Business BTEC Extended Diploma (x3)
Business BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (x1)
Children’s Play, Learning & Development BTEC National Award (x1)
Financial Studies Certificate & Diploma (x1)
Games Design BTEC Extended Diploma (x3)
Health & Social Care BTEC Diploma (x2)
Health & Social Care BTEC Extended Diploma (x3)
IT BTEC Extended Diploma (x3)
IT BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (x1)
Law (Applied) BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (x1)
Creative Media Production BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (x1)
Music BTEC Diploma (x2)
Music BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (x1)
Performing Arts BTEC Extended Diploma (x3)
Performing Arts (Acting) BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (x1)
Performing Arts (Dance) BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (x1)
Photography BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (x1)
Public Services BTEC Extended Diploma (x3)
Science (Applied) BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (x1)
Sport BTEC Extended Diploma (x3)
Sport BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (x1)
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Level 2 Entry Requirements
At NEW College we offer one-year re-sit (Level 2) courses. These allow students to improve
on the grades gained in Year 11 and/or fill any gaps in their qualifications. A large
percentage of our Level 2 students move onto Level 3 courses on completion of a successful
one-year re-sit programme.
To study at Level 2 students should have achieved a good range of GCSEs (or equivalent)
mainly at grades D and E.
Individual Assessment
Students who have not been in full-time education for various reasons or who have recently
moved to the United Kingdom from another country will be asked to sit a short test to
determine the level of course they are most suited to.
Application Deadlines
The deadline for applications to study at NEW College will be published on our website and
to schools, on an annual basis. This is usually around July each year.
Application Deadline for NEW College One-year Students.
The deadline for applications to progress to Level 3 courses at NEW College will be
published to one-year students via tutorial but is usually around April time.
Planned Learning Hours
In order to maintain funding from the EFA all students must be on a programme of above
540 planned learning hours. Students will not be accepted on programmes less than 540
hours.
Students who have not achieved a grade C in GCSE English or Maths must enrol onto a GCSE
course or at least be working towards GCSE on a suitable alternative qualification. Thi is
now a condition of funding.
This will be agreed with the student on enrolment and form part of their learning
agreement. Subsequent changes to this programme must be agreed by Senior
Management, but the hours must not fall below 540.
Students’ programmes should also contain an element of either work experience or
employability skills. Students will be given the opportunity to experience these aspects
within their programme at both Year 12 and Year 13.
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Programme of Study
How many subjects should students enrol onto?
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All students on an AS programme must study 4 AS subjects.
It is okay for G&A students to study 5 AS subjects.
Students on a BTEC Pathway will do 3 or 4 certificates or equivalent.
Students who need to re-sit GCSE Maths will do so in addition to their 4 AS subjects.
BTEC students who need to re-sit GCSE Maths will do so alongside their subjects.
BTEC Extended Diplomas may be accompanied by an additional single BTEC.
In summary, students studying AS levels will enrol onto 4 subjects whereas students
studying BTEC qualifications have the choice of 3 or 4 subjects.
Teacher Access Period Policy (TAPS)
Enrolment Day – Y12s
Objective: To increase the achievement rate.
Guide to interviewers: If a student chooses a subject and only just meets subject specific
entry requirements including G score an interviewer may decide to add the student to a TAP
on enrolment day.
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How do Students Apply?
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If interested in applying to NEW College for entry in September 2015 students should
simply follow the nine steps to enrolment guidelines below.
Students may visit NEW College for the day in Year 10 and experience a College
Taster Day (Not all schools).
A presentation assembly by NEW College will take place in most schools. A copy of
our prospectus will be made available for students. (Not all schools)
Students should start to consider the courses they are interested in.
We recommend that all students and parents attend one of our 3 open events.
There will be opportunities to listen to a short presentation by the Principal and
speak to subject staff and students.
Students must then fill in the on-line application form using ‘UCAS Progress’.
If students are unable to access this, then they should use a paper application form.
In the months of January through to April, students will receive a letter through the
post inviting them to attend an interview. If all goes well students will be offered a
conditional place at the College dependent on GCSE results.
Students will then receive a letter through the post inviting them to attend an
Induction Day after their final GCSE exams in July. Here, they will spend some time in
the subjects they have chosen to study. The focus of this day is to prepare them for
their future time at the College. GCSE Results Day August 2015. If students do not get
the GCSEs they require, they should come into College after collecting results to
discuss their options with our staff.
In order for students to complete the final stage of applying to NEW College, they
will need to attend our Enrolment Day. It is important that they bring proof of
qualifications in order to enrol at the College.
Applications from students who attend schools with sixth forms or
outside area
Students should:
 Attend one of our college Open Events
 Collect a Prospectus and application form on the night/day
 Fill in the application form and post it to the College
 Alternatively, apply via ‘UCAS progress’ or other on-line application sites
An interview will follow between the months of January and April.
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College Tours
If students are thinking of applying to the College but are unable to attend one of the Open
Events, they should contact Student Services at college, who will organise for a member of
the school liaison team to show them around college.
Alternatively, if after attending one of the Open Evenings students are still undecided and
would like an opportunity to ask further questions, including a tour of the college, they
should contact the College: studentservices@ncpontefract.ac.uk
Application Form
If schools have access to on-line applications such as ‘UCAS Progress’ students should seek
advice from their Head of Year on how to complete it. Alternatively, download an
application form from our College website or contact Student Services.
First Interview
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Interviews will take place between January and April. If applying from a local school,
interviews will take place at school.
If applying from a school with a sixth form or from out of the area then students will
be invited for an evening interview at College.
Parents/guardians may accompany students at the interview.
At the interview we will discuss proposed course choices and find out more about
career aspirations.
The interview is a key part of the application process and provides the opportunity to
discuss predicted results and course choices ensuring that they are right for the
student.
Financial Support for Students
The Bursary Fund is for students aged 16-19 and is a payment of money provided to support
students in their learning. The allowance is means-tested and students may be eligible if
total household assessed income is £20,000 or below.
If eligible to receive financial support through the 16-19 Bursary Fund, application forms are
available from Student Services or can be downloaded from the College website,
www.ncpontefract.ac.uk
Student attendance will be checked weekly, with payment being made half termly in
arrears. Payment will only be made for the weeks where your attendance and work
performance has been satisfactory.
For further information regarding the 16-19 Bursary Fund email
studentfinance@ncpontefract.ac.uk
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Academic Scholarship
Students expecting outstanding GCSE results.
If students are predicted to achieve more than 8 A grades in their GCSEs, we will offer them
the opportunity to receive up to £500 to support their post-16 education. In addition to this
financial support, being part of the Excellence Academy will support their progression
ambitions and help them achieve their potential. The Excellence Academy’s bespoke
program will help students to develop a repertoire of skills required to become the next
doctor, lawyer, scientist, accountant or world leader. (This is subject to eligibility criteria
based on parental income).
Applicants with Disabilities or Learning Difficulties
The College welcomes students with disabilities or learning difficulties and we will ensure
that there is continuity and equal access to the opportunities and experiences on offer.
Via our close working relationships with our local schools and through Jane Rolfe (Senior
Study Support Co-ordinator), we will endeavour to make sure that transition from high
school to NEW College will be as smooth as possible.
Equality & Diversity
Here at NEW College, we are passionately committed to providing an inclusive learning
environment in which diversity is both celebrated and valued.
We promise to treat each individual student with respect and dignity and to ensure that
every member of our community studies and learns in an environment free from
discrimination, harassment or victimisation.
We have a fundamental belief in the entitlement of every learner to fulfil his or her
potential and will help both to remove any barriers so that full achievement and promote
equality of opportunity across all aspects of College life.
We take our responsibility to eliminate all forms of inequality seriously and our Single
Equality Scheme provides the framework for our commitment, The Student Executive
includes an elected Member for Equality and Diversity and is active in the promotion of
events and celebrations, as well as in the regular reporting of equality issues to the College
Equality and Diversity Committee.
Our commitment to recognising and celebrating diversity runs through our teaching and
learning, our student support and pastoral systems and our enrichment programme. We
want to ensure that a disability of any kind does not prevent any student from succeeding
and our study support function is directed at challenging everyone to achieve his/her
potential to succeed and progress.
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Enrolment Day
On enrolment day, students will have a final interview. The IAG provided will be based on
their actual GCSE results. If students have achieved the grades they required to enrol on to
their selected courses, the enrolment interview with be relatively straight forward. The
interviewer will focus on ensuring their subject choices and programme of study meet the
requirements of their chosen career or core aim.
Waiting Lists
If students do not achieve the subject specific entry requirements of their chosen subjects,
the interviewer will discuss alternative subjects. In most cases, a swap to an alternative
subject will be straight forward. However, popular subjects may become full and students
will be placed on a subject waiting list until places become available.
Administration Fee
There will be an enrolment fee of £15. This is to cover some administration and printing
costs.
Unacceptable Qualifications
The following qualifications are not accepted by NEW College as GCSE equivalents.
ECDL (European Computer Driving License) any level
GNVQ Foundation Part 1
Full GNVQ Foundation
DIDA Level 1 (Diploma in Digital Applications) - except at Distinction Level
AIDA Level 1 (Award in Digital Applications) - except at Distinction Level
Adult Numeracy any level
Adult Literacy any level
Any on line Testing qualification any level
CoPE (Certificate of Personal Effectiveness) may appear as Next Step on qualification sheet
Preparation for working Life Level 1 or 2
NVQs at Level 1 or 2
Endorsed Graphics (3203 Art and Design)
Key Skills at any level
OCR Nationals Level 1 – First Award
OCR Nationals Level 1- Award
OCR National Level 1 – Certificate
NCFE qualifications
Text Processing Diploma
Note: New qualifications may appear each year and will be discussed at SMF (Senior
Management Forum) level to determine whether they are accepted or not for our relevant
programmes of study.
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Higher Education Courses on offer at NEW College (Post 18)
Art Foundation
Entry Requirements
To succeed on the Art Foundation Diploma students will have had to have coped well at Alevel or level 3 BTEC in a Visual Arts subject. This would be at least a pass grade but
preferably higher.
We then will ask students to produce a portfolio of work and attend an interview with the
course tutors.
If students have not studied a Visual Arts subject at level 3 then we will still consider their
application but we may require them to produce work based on a project set by the
Foundation tutors.
Students under the age of 18 at the start of the course and have not passed GCSE Maths or
English will need to study this alongside their Foundation Diploma (as a condition of
funding).
Course Cost
The course is free to any student who is 18 at the start of the course but if 19 or over
students may be required to pay a contribution toward the course fees.
HNC/HND in Sport
Entry Requirements
Students must achieve a merit or above in related BTEC courses or a grade C or above in a
related A level course. Students must also have achieved a grade C in GCSE English and
Maths.
If students applying are former students of New College it is important they can
demonstrate good behaviour and attendance records in order to be considered for the
course.
External students should provide a reference from their previous college/school sixth form.
There may be exceptions to the above entry requirements so all students should liaise
directly with the Higher Education Sports teams if they have any questions relating to an
application.
Student Tutors Fee
The cost of enrolling on to the HNC / HND is £5995 per year which can be paid by applying
to Student Finance. Students may also be entitled to apply for a maintenance grant and
maintenance loans direct from the government.
Parents / students will need to complete just one form www.gov.uk/apply-online-forstudent-finance to apply for tuition fees.
Application Process
 Students should complete an application form provided by the college.
 Students will then receive an invitation to interview.
 Students will receive a letter through the post (no more than two weeks after the
interview) informing them if they have been offered a place or not.
 If it looks like a student will not be offered a place by the interview team then senior
management will quality assure the process and ultimately will have the final decision.
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Funding
16, 17, 18 year olds
All full-time students under the age of 19 before 31 August will be funded by the Education
Funding Agency (EFA).
19+ students
Students who are over 19 and apply to take a Level 3 programme of study at NEW College
will not be funded. (Government regulations, EFA).
Foundation Diploma in Art & Design
19+ students who apply to enrol on to the Foundation Diploma will be accepted onto the
course on payment of the appropriate tuition fees.
Important
The Principal reserves the right to amend the entry requirements for particular subjects and
the over-arching Admissions Policy.
The Principal also reserves the right to decline the offer of a place if:
 a student is not in full-time education owing to being excluded (temporarily or
permanently)
 College is unable to meet the needs of a particular student
For any admission enquiries please contact the Student Reception on 01977 702139 Ext 383
or email studentservices@ncpontefract.ac.uk
Complaints
If you are unhappy with any aspect of the application/interview process or wish to appeal
please contact Richard Fletcher, Vice Principal, in the first instance on 01977 702139.
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Year 12 to Year 13
Progression Policy
for existing NEW College Students
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Year 12 to Year 13 Progression Policy for existing
NEW College Students
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All students require a grade E overall in their chosen subjects to progress from Year 13
(A2)
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However, certain subjects with coursework elements also require students to achieve a
grade E or above in at least one of the exam-based modules. This applies to Biology,
Chemistry, Physics and PE.
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All students will be interviewed by their subject staff during Year 13 Progression Day.
Subject staff will then decide to either support the student’s application to continue to
A2 or decline it.
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Students wishing to discontinue a subject must also be interviewed by the subject staff
to ensure this is the correct course of action.
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All students will also be interviewed by their Progress Tutor to ensure their programmes
contain above 540 planned learning hours. This can include enrichment, work
experience, tutorial.
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Senior management will QA each student’s Year 13 programme and decide whether to
endorse the subject decision or not and confirm that the programme meets the required
number of hours.
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Subjects will mostly endorse students’ applications to Year 13 but in some instances
they may wish to set conditions e.g.
 Departmental Report
 100% attendance
 Attendance of Teacher Access Period
 Giving up free time to work in LRC/department
Progression to A2 will depend on the following
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Meeting the individual subject entry requirements.
Good attendance in the subject concerned.
Positive response to any of the College’s formal interventions.
Passing all AS programmes.
Progression to Year 13 is at the Principal’s discretion.
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Year 13 Programmes of Study
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From September 2015 there will be a re-enrolment fee which must be paid on
Progression Day. This is to cover administration and printing costs.
Any student studying the equivalent of four BTEC qualifications is advised to remain on
all four subjects to improve their chances of success and progression opportunities.
Students who achieve 4 B Grades or above at AS are also strongly recommended to
continue on all four subjects at A2 as this will enhance progression choices to the best
universities.
Students will not be allowed to enrol on programmes of less than 3 A2 or BTEC
equivalent programmes.
Some Year 13 students may elect to take additional qualifications in Year 13 such as
General Studies or Extended Project which may support their application to university.
Please note: There are entry requirements you must meet to take these subjects.
Students who have not passed GCSE Maths or English must continue with these subjects
in addition to their A2/BTEC Year 13 subjects.
Enrolment Fee
The enrolment fee for Y12 students progressing to Y13 is £15.
Progression Day – Y12 and Y13 – Teacher Access Periods (TAPs)
Objective: To achieve 100% pass-rate
All students who achieved an E grade at AS and are wanting to progress to Y13 should be
added to a TAP in that subject.
High Grades
Heads of Department should recommend on the Progression Day form the following
students to be added to a TAP.
 Students who achieved a grade B who could drop to a C
 Students who achieved a grade C who could achieve a grade B
 Underachieving students who potentially should be achieving grade B or above
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NEW College Pontefract 2015-16 Fees Policy (excluding HNC/HND)
Learners who have been ordinarily resident in the UK or other European Economic Area for three
years
If you are/will be aged 16, 17 or 18 on 31 August in the calendar year when you begin a
programme of study you DO NOT pay tuition fees or examination/board registration fees in
connection with your programme of study provided you are on a programme of study of above 540
learning hours. You must maintain this level of hours for the duration of your programme to continue
to be a full-time student.
There is a Y12 enrolment fee of £15 payable by all new students on enrolment. This covers student
ID cards and pre-paid photocopying.
If you require a kit or special materials for a course, which you keep, you will be expected to pay for
this. You will also be required to pay for any resit examination fees.
On Y12 to Y13 Progression Day students will pay a second £15 enrolment fee for their second year of
college. This covers new student ID cards and pre-paid photocopying.
SUBJECT FEES
Some specialist subjects do have additional fees attached to them.
 Public Services has a fee of £100 which covers the cost of regular trips, visits and residentials but
also two New College polo shirts for all practical sessions.
 Visual Arts courses such as Art, Photography, Textiles and Graphic Design charge an annual fee
of £10 which contributes to all the required resources and equipment.
Please note: for students taking more than one Visual Arts subject they only pay the £10 once as it
covers them across all their subjects.
If you are/will be aged 19 or over on 31 August in the calendar year when you begin a programme
of study then we cannot claim any funding. We will therefore not accept any students aged 19 or over
on our AS/A2/GCSE/BTEC programmes unless they are fee paying.
Students aged 19 will be accepted on our Arts Foundation Course on payment of the appropriate
course fees which are currently £900 per annum. This fee must be paid in full before the start of
the course. There is also a studio fee of £40 per student payable by all students on this course.
Learners who have not been ordinarily resident in the UK or another EEA country for three
years
We will only accept students who are enrolled on a full-time programme of study (540 planned
learning hours) the fee will be £5,200 per academic year plus any additional learning support
where necessary.
This includes:
 access to any appropriate GCSE, A-Level, Vocational A-Level or BTEC course offered by the
College
 tuition in classes alongside local UK students
 participation in enrichment activities
 tutorial support and guidance from a personal tutor
 full careers advice and guidance in applying to UK universities or elsewhere
 entry fees for examinations, but not second or re-sit entries
You will be assessed for additional learning support requirements prior to being offered a place at
College, the first £500 cost of which will be met by the College; any further costs will be added to the
fees. Examination and registration fees are charged to all learners at cost to the College.
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RATES AND PAYMENT FEES
Fees will be fixed for the duration of the course. Learners who progress from a one year course to a
two year course will be subject to revised charges for the duration of their two year course.
Learners who have not been ordinarily resident in the UK or another EEA country for three years are
required to make payment, plus any additional support costs, into the College bank account at
enrolment or alternatively learners enrolling for a full-time programme may pay the fees by three
instalments in August, January and April.
A surcharge of 5% per calendar month will be added to bills not paid by the due date. Learners who
have not paid fees by the agreed date (annually) will be asked to leave College. Learners who are
unable to pay their fees by the due date must inform the College at the earliest opportunity. Every
effort will be made by the College to help the learner.
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