Frequently Asked Questions

 

The College is for 16–18-year-olds. Almost all of our applicants are 16 when they start the academic year, and they come to us straight from Year 11. We only offer full-time A level courses. We consider ourselves to be a Sixth Form College for north London and its environs, and we do not prioritise applicants who live in particular boroughs. However, we prefer to offer places to those who live within a reasonable travelling distance.

 

We specify particular GCSE grades in specific subjects; at least a 5 in English Language and 5 in Mathematics, and an average score across the best 8 GCSE subjects (including English Language and Mathematics) as follows:
3 A levels: 6.0
4 A levels: 7.5

If you are applying to study A level Art and are not studying GCSE / IGCSE or IB Art & Design, you will need to submit an electronic portfolio of work to the Art department. Click on the following link to view the Art Observational Drawing Guidelines. Please note, we will be in touch with you directly after the application deadline has passed and once we have received your school reference. You do not need to send any artwork to us at this time.

 

3 or 4 A levels. Around 90% of our applicants are likely to study 3 A levels. The other 10% will study 4 A level courses. In order to be allowed to do this however, you have to achieve a higher threshold of grades than you do for the 3 A level programme.

 

Every year we enrol over 750 applicants from schools in and around north London. We prioritise applicants from our partner schools, The Archer Academy and Friern Barnet School, children with an Educational Health & Care Plan (EHCP) and looked-after children, but they still must meet the same entry requirements as everyone else. We know that not all applicants offered a place will actually come as some fail to get the grades, others choose to stay at their own school sixth form or go elsewhere. So, we offer more places than we actually have.

 

The criteria include your school reference, behaviour, attendance, predicted grades, journey to College, combination of subjects and age of applicant. Please be aware that in recent years the College has been heavily oversubscribed in some subjects and so we cannot guarantee to offer a place to all applicants who meet our minimum criteria.

 

We aim to let everyone know the outcome of their application before the end of April.

 

If you would like to change subjects, please email [email protected], clearly stating your full name, reference number and the words ‘COURSE CHANGE’, in the email subject line.

 

We will do our best to accommodate you but cannot guarantee this since other subjects may be full. We would also need to consider your (predicted) grade profile. Likewise, if you wish to change courses following the publication of GCSE results, we will do what we can to facilitate your request.

 

You may lose your place, but in some cases applicants who narrowly miss the offer grades are accepted if we can fit them in. Sometimes we have to renegotiate the course(s). Note that all applicants are expected to have passed GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade 5 or above.

 

You would need to email [email protected] at any time during the admissions and registration process, clearly stating your full name, reference number and the words ‘WITHDRAWN’, in the email subject line.

  

The likelihood of receiving an offer from the waiting list varies each year and is influenced by the specific subjects requested. It is not possible to provide a definitive number or guarantee how many offers will be able to make, but the more flexible you are with your subject choices, the greater the chances we may be able to accommodate you. If you remain interested in securing a place, please reach out to us after GCSE results are published.

 

No, applications received before the deadline are all treated equally. However, we cannot process your application until we have received your school report and your predicted grades.

 

 

We are unable to provide a copy of your school reference as we are considered a third party and do not have the authority to share this information. We recommend contacting your school directly to request a copy of your reference. If you have any concerns about the content of the reference, it is best to discuss them with your school.

 

No, each applicant is judged on their own merits, and we operate no quotas of any sort.

 

This may be possible, but any changes must be requested quickly and will depend on space availability and your grade profile. Your personal tutor and other staff will support you in this.

 

This happens very rarely. If we must withdraw a subject, we will do our utmost to provide you with a suitable alternative.

 

If you are returning to the UK by August 2025 and will be living with a parent who has the right to remain in the UK for the full duration of your course, then we can consider your application.

 

 

We do not hold Tier 4 sponsorship with the UK Border Agency and therefore are unable to consider applicants in this category.

 

 

 

We do ask for a textbook deposit of £50. This allows us to issue students with free textbooks and to lend out library books and laptops. The deposit is returnable at the end of the course, on condition that all outstanding textbooks are returned.

 

A level Drama and Theatre Studies and A level Geography will also be offering residential trips. Further information regarding this, will be available when the course commences.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Important dates
• Admissions policy
• Apply online: Year 12 entry
• Eligibility Funding Criteria
• Year 12 entry criteria
• A level subject requirements
• Frequently asked questions
• A level Art: Observational Drawing Guidelines
• Additional learning support - ALS
• Overseas qualifications
• Appeals
• Login to your application