As easy as 1 2 3

3 steps to becoming a student at Blackpool and The Fylde College

• Step 1: Application
• Step 2: Interview
• Step 3: Offer and Enrolment

Step 1: Applying for Further Education

As soon as you know what course you want to do, complete our application form in full and return to us as early as possible to avoid disappointment. You can get an application form by:

• Download a printable version here
• Phone our Course Enquiries Team on 01253 504343
• Email your request to visitors@blackpool.ac.uk (please include your full name, address and date of birth in your email)
• Collect a form from our Admissions Office, located in the Customer Services Hub at Bispham Campus

It is important that you give us as much clear information as you can when completing the application form so that we can provide an efficient service for you. Please check that you have included the following information:

• Your full name, address and a contact number
• The full name of the course you are applying for
• The code of the course you are applying for
• The qualifications you have and/or are currently studying

It is a good idea to keep a copy of your application form in case you need to refer to it later. Please return your completed application form to:

Admissions, Blackpool and The Fylde College, FREEPOST SCE 15559, Bispham Campus, Blackpool, FY2 0UR

If you do not hear from us within 14 days, then please call Admissions on 01253 504342, 01253 504335 or 01253 504322.

If you are unsure about what course to take then please contact our Careers Advice Office, on 01253 504351

The Admissions team will allocate an interview date for you. We will send this to you by post two weeks before.

Application Deadline

The advisory application deadlines for full-time, Further Education courses are:-

• 22 April - for all Construction courses
• 31 May - for all other courses

Don’t worry if you miss the above deadline, you can still apply. It just means that we cannot guarantee you an interview date (or an assessment, if required for your course) before enrolment. Applications for Health and Social Care Cadetships received after 31 May will not be considered for Sept 2010. However, applications for Sept 2011, can be submitted from October 2010 onwards.

Step 2: Interviews

Most applicants that apply for full time courses are invited to attend an interview at the College. The interviews are an informal meeting with our course tutors. They will give you more detailed information about the course and further options so you know if the course you have chosen is the right one.

Our interview process starts during October and we hold interviews approximately every two weeks. If you have submitted your application form and have not heard from us within two weeks please contact our Admissions Office on 01253 5043-42/35/22.

It is important that you attend your scheduled interview so please do all you can to keep your appointment.

The interview is for you:

• to discuss your reasons for applying and what you hope to do after completing the course
• to demonstrate your knowledge, interest and enthusiasm (show us what we can expect of you if you get a place)

Interview procedures can vary for some courses if you have an interview with;

• Art and Design - please bring a portfolio of your artwork to your interview
• Photography - please bring a portfolio of photographic images to your interview
• Performing Arts - you will be invited to an audition, which includes an interview. Please select and piece from the list below;
  • After Juliet
  • A Small Dragon
  • Can you keep a secret
  • Jim Who Ran away from his Nurse and was Eaten by a Lion
  • The Way through the Woods
  You will need to prepare and perform this at the audition. We ask you to bring loose clothing (trousers or track suit pants but no skirts) and indoor footwear for your audition. Please note that Performing Arts Interview/Auditions will take place in March, April, May and June, a letter will be sent 3 weeks prior to you your Interview/Audition. If you don't hear from the College within 4 weeks from the date of your application, please contact the Admissions Office on (01253) 504195.
• Music – you will be invited to an audition as well as interview. Please prepare a two minute audition piece of your own choice and bring your musical instrument with you. If you play the drums, you will only need to bring sticks and if you are a piano or keyboard player you can use the College’s keyboards
• Media – if possible please bring a film portfolio, photographs and any written film ideas or work that you have
• Construction – you will be interviewed and then asked to take a basic skills assessment and a practical interview at a later date. We anticipate the basic skills assessments and practical interviews will be in April or May. This will be confirmed at your first interview
• Other courses do require assessments or skills assessments and you will be told about these at your interview.

Your parent(s),guardian(s),teacher or carer (if applicable) are welcome to join you at the interview if you wish but the course tutor will want time to speak to you on your own. For any assessments the person with you will not be able to accompany you.

If you are unable to attend your interview please email our Admissions Office at admissions@blackpool.ac.uk (include your full name and date of birth) or call the contact number on your interview letter as soon as possible. We will try to arrange an alternative interview time and date for you.

Please note: it is very important to for you to attend an interview.

Step 3: Enrolment

During your interview the tutor will make a decision on your application and you will be informed if you will be offered a place at the end. The admissions team will write to you and confirm this decision and the type of offer you are given.

• Unconditional Offer – this is a definite place on your chosen course but you must still come and enrol at your pre-arranged enrolment time to guarantee your place.
• Conditional Offer - means an offer of a place providing you achieve or exceed the required qualifications stated on your copy of the Interview Form. This may also include you taking an assessment and/or practical after your interview. You must come and enrol with us at your pre-arranged enrolment time in August to guarantee your place.
• Referred - means the course tutor does not think the course is right for you and has suggested an alternative course. We will try to interview you for the alternative course on the same day, however if it is at one of our other campuses, another interview date will be arranged for you.

After the interview if you are unsure if the course is the right one for you we suggest you contact your careers teacher at school, Connexions or our careers team on 01253 504351.

Important: All offer letters have a reply slip on the bottom. Please complete this slip and return in the prepaid envelope to accept your place. You can also phone us on 01253 5043-42/35/22 or email us at admissions@blackpool.ac.uk (including your full name, date of birth and the name of the course).

Important: For those with Conditional Offers, enrolment normally starts in the third week of August just after the GCSE results are released. Please be available during this time to come in to College to enrol as we cannot reserve places and we don’t want you to lose out. Please remember this if booking any holidays during August.

We will send you an invitation to attend enrolment at the beginning of August. This will show a specific time and date to come in to the College to enrol. You must let the admissions office know immediately if you cannot attend your pre-arranged time and an alternative may be available but this is not guaranteed.

Please familiarise yourself with our admissions terms and conditions before beginning your application