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Frequency Asked Questions Full Time Course Applications

Our official full time course application deadline, as published in our prospectus and on our website is 31 March, but historically we have continued accepting applications through to late August/early September for courses starting in September. This year, we have received an unprecedented volume of applications and despite significant efforts to increase capacity in terms of teaching spaces and staffing, we are now in a position where demand has begun to outweigh the volume of places available in the college.

All full time, school leaver appropriate courses including A Levels, T Levels, vocational and skills based courses from Level 1 to 3. Adult, Access to Higher Education, Higher Education and Apprenticeship courses are not affected and learners will be able to apply for these courses in the usual way.

We are delighted that you have applied to join Staffordshire’s leading college, and we really look forward to you joining us as a NSCG learner. Whatever stage your application is at, please be assured that if you applied before 1 September 2025, we will do our utmost to guarantee you a place on the right course, at the right level for you in September*.

*all course offers are subject to applicants meeting the minimum entry requirements of the chosen course. Grades will be reviewed against published entry requirements at enrolment appointments in September and learners will be placed on the right course, at the right level to meet future career aspirations.

No, please be assured that all applications received up to 1 September will be treated in the normal way. You will be invited to college for an informal course discussion, where you’ll have the opportunity to meet staff, ask questions and ensure the course you’ve chosen meets your future career aspirations. In most cases you will be offered a conditional place, which is subject to you achieving the minimum course entry requirements, as detailed on our website.

In the first instance, you should contact the College Information Point on info.newcastle@nscg.ac.uk or info.stafford@nscg.ac.uk who will register your course transfer preferences. You will then be invited to attend college to meet the course staff, ask questions and ensure your new course choice will meet your future career aspirations. At this stage, if you are happy to proceed with the new course, your original application will be withdrawn

Yes it is, but you must contact either your course administration team or our Information Point on info.newcastle@nscg.ac.uk or info.stafford@nscg.ac.uk as soon as possible to reinstate your application. Failure to do this would mean you do not hold a conditional offer of a place, and you will not be sent an enrolment invite.

Unfortunately, we are no longer able to accept any new applications for full time school leaver courses starting in September 2025. We have now reached our capacity limits and to ensure we provide a positive college experience priority will be given to the applications received on or before 1 September 2025. We appreciate this may be disappointing, but we will continue to monitor and review our position and should the situation change, we will communicate accordingly.
 

Unfortunately not. Due to the sheer volume of courses on offer and the unprecedented levels of demand, we are unable to operate a waiting list system.

You should have been contacted by the course administration team to explain the status of your application.

Unfortunately not at this stage. Our projected enrolment numbers already account for application withdrawals.

There are a wide range of colleges, school sixth forms and private training providers in the Staffordshire region, many of whom are graded Good or above by Ofsted. We have advised other providers of our position and we strongly advise you to research your options, and arrange to visit or attend an Open Event. Alternative local providers include:

  • Burton and South Derbyshire College
  • Buxton College
  • Cheshire College South & West
  • City of Stoke on Trent Sixth Form College
  • Martec
  • Performance through People
  • Rebus Training
  • South Staffordshire College
  • Stoke on Trent College

Unfortunately not. Our part-time course offering is designed with adult learners in mind and is not be suitable for school leavers.

Our Student Services Team are working closely with the local authorities to ensure we can meet the needs of learners with an EHCP. Therefore, yes, it may be possible to make a late application if you are an EHCP learner. For further advice and guidance please contact Denise Haney, Head of Student Services on 01782 254249 or denise.haney@nscg.ac.uk

Yes you can, although apprenticeships are also in high demand and we currently have more apprenticeship applications than available vacancies. We would recommend that you have a full time course application, should a suitable apprenticeship not materialise. As NSCG’s full time course applications are closed, please research your options, and arrange to visit or attend an Open Event of an alternative local provider.