Once you’ve decided to apply for a course, you’ll need to work out whether you satisfy our entry requirements (or will have done by the time your course starts). Providing you meet the criteria, you can then apply for your course. Full-time applications go through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), although graduates of our foundation degrees progressing to a relevant top-up programme can (subject to certain criteria) apply to the College direct.

UCAS applications have an application deadline of 15th January for equal academic consideration. We strongly advise that you apply before this date. If you miss the UCAS deadlines, you will need to go through Clearing. For a part-time place you must apply to the College direct.

Before an offer of a place is made, some applicants will need to attend an interview and/or audition - we will keep in touch with you to let you know exactly what’s needed.

Course eligibility

The entry requirements section of each course tells you how many UCAS tariff points you will need to do that particular course along with any other information you need to know. The table opposite allows you to work out whether your qualifications add up to enough UCAS tariff points to do the course you want.

If your qualifications aren’t listed here you’ll be able to find them at www.ucas.com, which details comprehensive entry criteria for every course. All you need to do is run a course search for the programme that interests you then click on Entry Requirements to find out whether the qualifications you have will enable you to get onto the course.

If you’re still unsure about whether you qualify for entry then please contact our Admissions Team on Tel: 01253 504346, who’ll be happy to help.

Applications

Depending on whether you want to study full-time or part-time, the application process is different.

Full-time

Applications for a full-time place at Blackpool and The Fylde College must be made via UCAS (Universities and College Admissions Service) using Apply – an online application system available at www.ucas.com. The application fee for this service is currently £21 for between 2 and 5 choices, or £11 for a single choice. Depending on your circumstances, there are some slight differences to the way UCAS receives your application:

1. Students at a school or college registered with UCAS

All UK schools and colleges (and a small number of establishments overseas) are registered with UCAS to manage their students’ applications. You will need to obtain a buzzword from your tutor or careers adviser, which you will need when you register with UCAS. This establishes the organisation from which you are applying and allows your referee to attach your reference. Once you have completed your application, you submit it to your referee who will send the completed application to UCAS on your behalf. You pay UCAS for your application either by credit or debit card online.

2. Independent applicants in the UK

Other UK applicants, who are not at school or college, apply online independently and are responsible for paying the correct application fee, for obtaining and attaching the reference (from an academic or other professional who knows you well enough to write about you and your suitability for the course). UCAS will not accept references from family, other relatives or friends. You will need to make your payment to UCAS online using a credit or debit card. The card need not be in your own name, but you will require the consent of the cardholder.

3. International applicants outside the UK (EU and worldwide)

If you live outside the UK (in the EU and worldwide) and your school or college is NOT registered with UCAS, you will need to apply online independently. You will be able to seek advice from British Council offices and other centres overseas, such as your school or college. You are responsible for paying the correct application fee, for obtaining and attaching the academic reference and for submitting the completed application online to UCAS. Your referee should know you well enough to write about you and your suitability for higher education. UCAS will not accept references from family, other relatives or friends. You will need to make your payment to UCAS online using a credit or debit card. The card need not be in your own name, but you will require the consent of the cardholder.

Progression to top-up programmes

Applicants wanting to progress from one of our foundation degrees to the relevant top-up programme can apply to the College direct, providing they meet all the following criteria:

• you are about to complete or have just completed a full-time foundation degree/HND here at the College (ie there are no gap years between courses)
• you applied for your foundation degree/HND through UCAS and still have your original UCAS Personal ID number
• you are only applying to study at Blackpool and The Fylde College on a top-up programme
• If you satisfy all of the above, then please contact us to request a College application form

Help with your application

For all applicants, there are full instructions at www.ucas.com to make it as easy as possible for you to fill in your online application, plus help text where appropriate. UCAS also has a comprehensive guide called Applying Online, which can be downloaded from www.ucas.com. If you prefer, the College Careers Team can offer help and support with UCAS online – contact them on Tel: 01253 504474/504351 or by Email: studentservicescareersteam@blackpool.ac.uk.

We consider each application on its own merits. For some courses, applicants will need to attend an interview and/ or audition, with portfolios required for creative courses – we will let you know exactly what’s needed nearer the time. If we offer you a place it will be clear if there are any conditions, and details about how to accept or decline the offer will be forwarded to you by UCAS. In support of the Welsh Language Scheme, all UCAS applicant letters are available in Welsh; applicants must optin to receiving these letters in Welsh.

Part-time

Applications for part-time courses do not go through UCAS. If you are applying for a part-time place please contact our Course Enquiries Team on Tel: 01253 504343, who will advise you about how to proceed.

Clearing

This section is designed to give you an overview of the electronic Clearing process. Please contact UCAS for the most up-to-date information on their website at: www.ucas.com

Clearing is the process by which any unfilled university/ college places are allocated once the examination results are released in mid-August. So, if you don’t get the exam grades you had hoped for and your offer is not confirmed there is still a good chance you could find another course through Clearing.

The process runs from the beginning of July and helps to place students who have not got the right grades or who have applied late for a course where there are still spaces. You will need to be available in person to deal with admissions tutors and make decisions so make sure you are available when your exam results come out!

Who can use Clearing?

You are eligible for Clearing for one of these reasons:

• You are not holding any offers from universities or colleges
• You have been declined by your first and insurance choice institutions
• You declined your offers
• You have applied after 30th June and are too late for your application to be considered before Clearing

Most people who use Clearing have already applied through UCAS but have not secured a place on a course

If you are eligible to enter Clearing UCAS will notify you and then provide you with your own unique Clearing number.

Where can I find the official course vacancy listings?

The UCAS website at www.ucas.com will have an interactive Clearing course search available from A Level Results Day.

Lists of courses with vacancies will be published from the middle of August until late September. UCAS supplies official vacancy information to many of the daily newspapers.

The Student One Life Helpline offers free, independent and confidential advice. Call free during Clearing on Tel: 0808 100 8000.

I’ve made a list of courses - now what?

Start contacting the universities and colleges about the courses that interest you. We recommend that you telephone, email or call in person. Keep your Clearing number handy – you will probably be asked for it along with your exam results.

NB: UCAS advise that if you are still awaiting your exam results, you should not contact institutions until you have received them.

What do I do when a university or college offers me a place?

If a university or college is happy that you meet their requirements, they will most likely offer you a place. Make sure that the course is the right one for you. The best way to find out more about a university or college, its accommodation and social life is to pay the place a visit or take a good look at their website. If you are happy this is the place for you, give them your Clearing number. There is a good chance they will then offer you a place. If you wish to accept the offer of a place you will need to add the institution and course to your clearing application using TRACK.

How do I know if I’ve got a place?

We will let you know and confirm your place via UCAS. You will be able to view this using TRACK. UCAS will then send you a confirmation letter by post. If you decide to decline the offer you should let the university or college know before you continue to search for a suitable course.

What if my results are better than expected?

UCAS have introduced a new facility for applicants who have achieved better results than required for their firm offer and who want to reconsider their choice. From A Level Results Day, applicants who have achieved better results required for the offer they accepted will have 5 days to look for an alternative course while still holding their original choice.