Penwith College Online


     Choosing your course

At Penwith College we have a commitment to all students to help you find the right course, taking into account GCSE grades, work experience, and career plans.  We offer courses at a number of levels to allow progression and development from First Diplomas to Foundation Degrees.  We work closely with Connexions and have an advisor regularly based at the College as well as our own Guidance and Support team who are fully qualified and matrix accredited. We encourage students to think beyond further education to their university or career plans when choosing a course as there may be qualification entry requirements that may influence their course choices. Applications for courses are made through the forms given out in school for local applicants, or can be made direct to the College for out of area and mature students.

How to apply

School Leavers

        1. Complete the application form provided by your school. The form asks for information about you and the courses you are interested in studying. You have the option to apply for more than one course, which is advisable if you are unsure of which course to choose.
        2. Forms will be collected by your Connexions Personal Advisor through your school in February 2008.
        3. You will be invited to an interview in the spring term. The purpose of the interview is two-fold. It gives the College staff the opportunity to speak to you about your choices and your plans and gives you the opportunity for you to meet the teaching staff and ask any questions about the course. Where possible teaching staff will be involved in the interviews along with one of the Student Services Team. By the end of the interview it is normally expected that all parties will have reached agreement about the way forward. However, we may ask you to come back to meet additional teaching staff if we feel it would be helpful to explore further options.  Our main concern is that you are placed on the course that most suits your needs, abilities and aspirations.  A formal course offer letter will follow your interview.
        4. If you are taking GCSE’s you will be asked to advise us of your grades when you get your results in August. If you have not met the entry requirements for your course, we will ask you to come in to College for a further interview and discussion regarding your options.
        5. You will receive a letter in August with details of the enrolment and induction days. During these days you will meet your Personal Tutor, receive your timetable, receive your student card and other relevant information as well as have some fun and get to know your new classmates

 

Mature Students and Out of Area applications

    1. Please contact the College for an application form. The form asks for information about yourself and the courses you are interested in studying. You have the option to apply for more than one course, which is advisable if you are unsure of which course to choose.
    2. Forms must be returned before the closing date of 28 February 2008. Forms received after this date will be processed but there may be a delay in arranging your interview dates.
    3. You will be invited to an interview in the spring term. The purpose of the interview is two-fold. It gives the College staff the opportunity to speak to you about your choices and your plans, and gives you the opportunity for you to meet the teaching staff and ask any questions about the course. Where possible, teaching staff will be involved in the interviews along with one of the Student Services Team. By the end of the interview it is normally expected that all parties will have reached agreement about the way forward. However, we may ask you to come back to meet additional teaching staff if we feel it would be helpful to explore further options.  Our main concern is that you are placed on the course that most suits your needs, abilities and aspirations.  A formal course offer letter will follow your interview.
    4. If you are taking GCSE’s or other exams which may influence your acceptance on to a specific course, you will be asked to advise us of your grades as soon as they are available. If you have not met the entry requirements for your course we will ask you to come in to College for a further interview and discussion regarding your options.
    5. You will receive a letter in August with details of the enrolment and induction days. During these days you will meet your Personal Tutor, receive your timetable, receive your student card and other relevant information as well as have some fun and get to know your new classmates.