Applying for a Course

1. Browse our Courses: Find the course of your choice and check the entry requirements.
    
2. Before applying: When completing your application, you will be required to write a personal statement. This is your chance to tell us about yourself and your interest in the course you're applying for. It may be useful for you to prepare this in advance. 
   
   Details to include in your personal statement are:
   
   •    Your skills, aptitudes and personal qualities
   
   •    Any interests related to your chosen course
   
   •    Your future career aims
   
   •    Previous employment
   
   •    Relevant experience
   
   •    Hobbies and other special interests
   
   Unless stated otherwise in the entry requirements on the course information page, personal statements should be approximately 300 words in length.
    
3. Apply Online: Click ‘Apply Now’ on the course page and complete the application form.
   You will need an email address to submit your application. 
   
   We will use this email address to communicate with you throughout the application process, which includes an acknowledgement email once your application has been received by the Student Recruitment team. Please do not use a school email address, as you won’t be able to access it once you leave school, and we need to stay in touch with you over the summer.

Once the team have reviewed your application, you will receive an email about your application status. Some courses may require an interview, or you may receive an offer based on your application alone.

You will be sent a login for our portal where you can self-select an interview date.

• Unconditional Offer: This means you have been accepted into the course without any further requirements. Your place is guaranteed, and you can proceed with the next stage, such as accepting the offer and enrolling.
   
• Conditional Offer: This means your acceptance is dependent on meeting certain criteria, such as achieving specific exam results or completing additional qualifications. Once you meet these conditions, your place on the course will be confirmed.

You will receive an email notifying you if your application has been unsuccessful for your chosen course. We may offer you an alternative course or you could submit a new application for an alternative course of your choice.

Log into the Portal to accept your offer. For conditional offers, if you have accepted your conditional offer, you are not required to accept again once your condition has been met.

If you have been offered a place on a full-time course, you will be invited to attend an essential information session regarding your programme of study. This session is designed to support your transition onto your new course, where staff will be available to meet with you to discuss:
 

• Your timetable
   
• The topics you will study
   
• Work placements (if applicable)
   
• PPE and or kit requirements
   
• Funding your studies
   
• Travel to college
   

Most importantly, you will also have the opportunity to meet members of your class who will be following the same programme of study as you.

Applicants with an unconditional offer, or applications with a conditional offer where a condition has been met, will be emailed a link to enrol online once online enrolment opens.

Once enrolled you will receive an email with details of your induction.

1. For current students progressing to the next level of their course: Full-time students progressing to the next level of their current course are not required to complete a new application form. Your course tutor will inform the Student Recruitment team that you wish to progress, and you will receive an email confirming your offer of place. This is likely to be a conditional offer requiring you to complete your current course successfully.
   
   Note that this does not include Schools Academy Students.
    
2. Current students changing direction: Students who wish to apply for a new course that is not a direct progression from their current course should follow the New Applicants Process.
    
3. Schools Academy students wishing to apply for a Full-time course: Current Schools Academy students wishing to apply for a full-time course should follow the New Applicants Process.

Please see Financing Your Studies | Borders College for further information about funding your studies.

Our Student Support team can assist with application questions, completing your application, or interview support. Contact enquiries@borderscollege.ac.uk to arrange an appointment.

Please see Support | Borders College for further information on the support available throughout your college journey. This includes details on all types of support such as Learning Support, Care Aware, and Mental Health support.