Full Time FAQs

How do I apply for a full-time course?

Decide which course you wish to apply for – check the details on the website for entry criteria, course locations (we don’t run every course at all campuses) to help you make your decision and start your application. You will be asked to complete an online form.

If you'd like further help in deciding on your course and submitting your application, we recommend attending one of our on-campus Open Days. Click here to view our upcoming dates.

Some courses require that you start at Level 1, even if your predicted/achieved grades exceed the entry criteria whereas other courses allow direct entry onto Level 2 or Level 3; please use the entry criteria as a guide for which level of course to apply for.

Tips on making your application

1. Use your full name not a shortened version, e.g., Thomas not Tom.
2. If possible, do not use your school email as when we send emails in July and August with important information on the course and how & when to enrol, you may not be able to access them from your school email.
3. Provide your predicted grades – this enables the Admissions Team to assess your application to make sure you have applied for the correct level of course. If you have not yet been provided with your predicted grades, please provide approximate information from your last school report.
4. If you are under 18 provide us with a parent/guardian name, telephone number and email
5. Only apply for one course – if you wish to apply for a second one, please email admissions@wiltshire.ac.uk and we will add the course to your existing application. We will ask you to choose which course is your preferred choice, so you receive the relevant information for that course. There is no need to apply for a back-up course in case you don’t get the grades you need; this will be managed as part of our GCSE results day process and if you did not achieve the required grades, you will be offered another course.

When you submit your application, you will receive an automatic email confirming that your application is submitted. You will receive a further automatic email when the Admissions Team process your application. Occasionally the emails may go into you spam or junk folder if you haven’t received an email from us before. If you have not received either of these emails, please telephone or email Admissions on 01225 756300 / admissions@wiltshire.ac.uk so we can check we have the correct email details for you.

What if I want to apply for more than one course?

Once you have applied for your first course, please telephone the Admissions team on either 01225 756300 or email admissions@wiltshire.ac.uk. There is no need to re-apply.

If you do apply for more than one course, we will ask you to choose which course is your preferred choice, so you receive the relevant information for that course. There is no need to apply for a back-up course in case you don’t get the grades you need; this will be managed as part of our GCSE results day process and if you did not achieve the required grades, you will be offered another course.

You can view what applications you’ve made or resume any applications by going to the Application Portal.

Will I have an interview?

We will invite you to participate in an interview, either at college, on Microsoft Teams or via the telephone, where you will be able to talk to a course lecturer and find out about the content of the course, the final qualifications, and the opportunities available after your course. The lecturer will want to find out about you too and this is an opportunity to discuss your education so far, any experiences you have had and what plans you have for the future. It is important that you research the subject/industry that you are being interviewed for as you will be asked about your understanding of this at interview.

You may be asked to provide a portfolio of your work to the Admissions team / at interview or provide copies of qualification certificates if you have already taken GCSE’s or other qualifications.

What if I can’t attend my interview?

Please contact the Admissions team as soon as possible so that we can book you an alternative date and time.

When will I hear if I have a place at college?

Following your application and interview we will send you an offer email which will outline any conditions that will need to be met, such as GCSE grades. If you do not wish to accept this offer, please contact the Admissions team so that we can amend our records and so that you will not continue to receive information from us.

What if I need extra support at college?

You may have had extra support at school that you need to continue with, or you may have worries or concerns about coming to college and need some extra support while you adjust to your new environment. Please ensure you add this information to your application, so our Inclusion and Support Department are aware of this.

What about work experience or work placements?

Work Placements are an important part of all Full Time Study Programmes at the College. You will have a dedicated Placement Officer who will assist you with coordinating your placement, supporting you throughout the process. If you have any questions about Work Placements, please get in touch with the Work Placement Team at: WorkExperience@wiltshire.ac.uk.

Will I have the opportunity to visit the college?

You can find our Open Events here.

Keep checking your emails for information from Admissions@wiltshire.ac.uk about your chosen course which may include information on what students on the course are doing this year, uniforms, books etc (we would recommend that you do not purchase any course specific items until after you have your GCSE results and have your place confirmed).

You will be invited to attend a Welcome Day for all offer holders in the summer (dependent on the COVID guidelines at the time). This is an opportunity for you to meet other students on your course as well as your lecturer and answer any questions or worries you may have about coming to college.

We will also email you about how and when to enrol onto the course.

You will receive information on what to do when you receive your GCSE results – this may be to attend a session at college or to email them to the course lecturer. If you didn’t achieve the required GCSE results to do your course, don’t worry we can usually find a different course for you – this may be the same subject but at a lower level or a different subject. If your GCSE grades are better than predicted, we may offer you a course at a higher level.

What happens after I have been made an offer?

Applicants who have been issued an offer may be invited to attend a College Experience Day. We will keep you updated so please do not worry.

Enrolment begins when GCSE Results are released in August – our Grade Check and Enrolment days are being held on Thursday 24 and Friday 25 August. All students need to come in for enrolment before the start of their course and more information will be emailed to you in the summer including what to do if you can’t attend on the 24^th or 25^th.

What happens when I get my exam results?

Admissions will email you in the summer on what to do when you receive your exam results; you will be invited to attend a Grade Check and Enrolment Session at college on either Thursday 24 or Friday 25 August

What happens if I don’t get the GCSE grades I need for my course?

If you don’t achieve the required GCSE results to do your course, don’t worry we can usually find a different course for you – this may be the same subject but at a lower level or a different subject. If your GCSE grades are better than predicted, we may offer you a course at a higher level. Please continue to attend the Grade Check and Enrolment day you have been given and alternative courses will be discussed with you.

Do I need to buy any equipment or uniform for my course before enrolment?

An email will be sent to you with more information on course specific items such as books or uniform required. We would suggest that you do not purchase these items until you have your exam results and a confirmed place, as you may study a different course to the one you originally applied for if your grades are higher or lower than predicted.

What if I can’t make my enrolment day?

It is really important to attend enrolment before the start of your course. If you can’t attend the designated day for your course, please follow the instructions on your enrolment invitation which will be sent over the summer.

How do I apply for a bus pass or find out about transport to college?

More information on public transport to our different campuses and how to apply for a bus pass can be found on our Travelling to College page on the website. If you have a question that hasn’t been answered by the information on this page, please email bursaries@wiltshire.ac.uk.

Can I get any financial support to help me to come to college?

If you have a low household income and are studying an eligible course, you may be entitled to a bursary or support from the Learner Support Fund. Applications forms and full details will be available on our website nearer the start of your course. Please email busaries@wiltshire.ac.uk for any questions you may have regarding your bursary application. For further information, please click here.

When can I find out about my timetable?

You will usually receive your course timetable on the first day of the course, unfortunately timetables are not available until this time, as they can’t be finalised until the student numbers on each course are confirmed (if student numbers are high the course may be split into two groups for example, with different timetables) and may be subject to change for the first month.

When does my course start? Most full-time courses start the first full week of September. Your specific start date will be given to you either during your Enrolment session or emailed to you afterwards, as this will depend on your course timetable.

Will I have to pay for my course?

Home students (learners who have been assessed as a home student and not an overseas student per government guidelines) who are under 19 on 31st

August 2023 do not have to pay for their course. Students who are 19 or over on 31st August 2023 will require a fee assessment which will take place over the summer.

If you have not been a resident in the UK for the last 3 years you may have to pay the overseas fees which are higher than the home student fees. It depends on your immigration status and the course you are enrolling on. Contact the Admissions team for more information.

If I am 19 or over can I get help with my course fees?

Students who are 19 or over will have an appointment with one of our Fees and Finance Officers to have an individual fee assessment which will determine if there is any fee remission available which is dependent on their previous qualifications, or if they are in receipt of benefits or on a low income.

If I have to pay for my course, how do I pay?

If the outcome of your fee assessment is that you do need to pay for your course, we can take a credit card, debit card, cash or cheque. The College can usually set up an instalment plan for you. Students enrolling on an eligible Level 3 course may be able to take out an Advanced Learner Loan. For further information click here or visit our Money Matters page.

Can my employer pay for my course?

Yes. Your employer must complete an Employer’s Undertaking Form which can be downloaded from the college website, or you can collect a form from Main Reception at any of our campuses. Hand the form to Curriculum and Customer Services when you enrol. The College will then invoice your employer for your course fees.

What if I have not been resident in the UK for 3 years?

If you have not been a resident in the UK for the last 3 years you may have to pay the overseas fees which are higher than the home student fees. It depends on your immigration status and the course you are enrolling on. Contact the Admissions team for more information.