City and Islington College

Policy Statement

This policy ensures a consistent approach to admissions processes for all provision offered by the colleges within the Capital City College Group (CCCG), including Capital City College Training (CCCT) except Higher Education, where a separate policy is in place. This policy explains how admissions will be achieved with links to other relevant policies.

Aims and Overview

We aim to recruit with integrity and provide a high quality educational experience for learners. The first important steps in ensuring learners succeed, is to confirm they are on the right course and provide clear communication of the policies that affect them.

Scope

This Policy relates to the following categories of learners

• Study programme learners
• Adult Education Budget (AEB) funded learners, funded by the Greater London Authority (GLA) or the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA)
• Apprentices
• Full cost learners
• Adult learning loan learners
• European Social Fund (ESF) learners
• Key Stage 4 learners
• Any other category of admission to the Group not covered above other than Higher Education students

Key Principles

Information for Applicants and Enquirers

We are committed to providing pre-entry information and support to enable applicants to make informed decisions regarding any application they make to study at our colleges.

All programmes’ entry criteria will be clearly displayed on the colleges’ websites, enabling easy access for enquirers, applicants, employers and staff. Contact details will be available on the websites for specific queries regarding applications. Each individual programme will make available course information.

We will make every effort to ensure that course information is accurate. Many of the printed publications that are provided are done so more than twelve months prior to the start of a course. Applicants therefore should also refer to the website for the most up to date information.

The process for our Free Course application differs in that individuals interested in studying will book on their preferred course through our website. Information is then sent regarding enrolment and attending their first day. Typically, free short courses do not require interviews or applying through the main application pathway.

In certain circumstances a course may have to be closed because there are insufficient enrolments. The colleges will support the affected applicants in finding a suitable alternative.

Condition of Acceptance

It is expected that all applicants will provide full, honest, reliable and accurate information in their applications and supporting evidence when seeking admission to one of our programmes.

Where there is reason to suspect that this may not be the case, we reserve the right to investigate the matter fully. If colleges find that an applicant has been fraudulent or has provided misleading information, we reserve the right to reject the application without further consideration, or where an offer of a place has been granted, to withdraw the offer.

Where a withdrawal or rejection decision has been made in such circumstances, we reserve the right to notify any relevant professional bodies and/or third parties. Similarly, any learner found to be admitted based on fraudulent information may have their enrolment cancelled.

Appeals

Applicants who wish to appeal against the decision during the admissions process should contact the Vice Principal of the college they are applying to. All appeals should be made in writing or email within 10 days of receiving your offer. The Vice Principal or a nominated representative will collate all relevant evidence for review.

The Vice Principal or a nominated representative will assess the evidence and the applicant will be notified in writing of the decision within 10 working days. This decision is final. A record of the panel discussion and decision with specific reasons will be retained on your file.

Admissions Procedures

Stage 1 - Pre-application

• Each course will have a clear statement on entry requirements, and this will be displayed in the course information provided on each individual college website
• Entry requirements will be determined and published for respective levels of study
• Entry requirements may include relevant employment experience, including English and Maths
• Applicants who do not have formal qualifications may be able to be considered through the APL (Accreditation of Prior Learning) or the Capital City College Group’s Record of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy, which may be based on prior experiences and/or qualifications.
• Applicants seeking entry through the APL or CCCG RPL route will be assessed against specific learning outcomes on specifically designed assessments
• Opportunities are available for applicants to view each respective college within the group and its facilities prior to the commencement of a course

Stage 2 - Application stage

• All applicants must apply to the colleges using our application form
• Applicants are encouraged to apply on-line so they can track applications, book interviews, keep in touch with us and accept programmes of study
• All applicants for full or part time programmes where an interview is required will be interviewed
• For some courses, an initial assessment is required to ensure an offer is made for the most suitable level of study
• Applicants are requested to provide all educational certificates or result slips as part of the interview and enrolment process
• At interview, the applicant’s programme choice will be discussed, and a provisional agreement reached on the most appropriate programme of study
• Any applicant presenting non-UK qualifications for entry onto a programme will be considered against the standard entry criteria to include English and Maths
• When comparing non-UK qualifications, we will liaise with ECCTIS, the designated United Kingdom national agency for the recognition and comparison of international qualifications and skills

Stage 3 - Offers or Referrals

• There being sufficient demand for the course offered
• There being sufficient spaces available on the course concerned
• Meeting the published entry requirements of the chosen programme
• Where college staff identify that an applicant is unsuitable for their programme, they will refer them for another interview or a guidance interview
• Careers and IAG staff will provide appropriate advice and guidance
• Applicants with supported learning needs or medical issues may access appropriate reasonable support

Enrolment

Enrolment into the chosen course will take place at the conclusion of the admissions cycle, for entry to a programme of study prior to the start date. Only applicants who have satisfied the full selection criteria will be able to enrol onto the course. We permit learners to enrol onto one fulltime programme of study at any one time.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that their residency details are available to meet the funding rules to be able to study with us.