How to apply

• Read our career pathways pages to research more about the programmes and potential future careers they could lead to.  

• Join in with our College Open Events.  

• Talk to our Activate Careers team to get independent advice and guidance about the options available and how they would match your interests and skills.  

• Find out about financial support to help you cover the costs associated with studying at college.  

• Find out about learning and/or health and wellbeing support for students here  

• To make an application. Find a course and apply for it online 

• Once you have chosen the course that you wish to study, please click apply on the course page and this will add it to your basket. You will then need to register for an account or log in to proceed through your application. 

• If you need any help completing your application form, one of our Advice and Admissions Team will be happy to help you. Please contact them on 0800 612 6008 or send an enquiry. 

• On your application form let us know about any specific support needs you may have. 

• We will then send you an email to confirm that we have received your application. 

• If you are a current student, you will follow a different application process to direct applicants who are not already studying with us, you do not need to reapply. 

• You are welcome to apply for more than one course, however, you will only receive an offer for a maximum of two courses. 

We have two different application pathways at Activate Learning, depending on when you submit your application: the Early Applications Pathway and the Late Applications Pathway. 

From October 1st, 2025, to May 31st, 2026, all applications will go through our Early Applications Pathway. If you apply during this time, you’ll be invited to attend a Meet the Teaching Team event as part of the application process. Attending this event is important because: 

• It helps you learn more about your chosen course. 

• It allows us to make sure the course is the right fit for you. 

After you attend and we confirm the course suits you, you will get a conditional offer by email. Applicants in this pathway will get priority when enrolling in the summer. 

Late Applications Pathway: 

Applications received from June 1st, 2026 onwards go through the Late Applications Pathway. There will be no Meet the Teaching Team events during this time. You will still receive a conditional offer once your application is processed. However, applicants from the Early Applications Pathway will have priority at the time of enrolment. 

When we receive your application, our Advice and Admissions team will review it and may ask you for more information. We will not be able to give you a conditional offer until we have all the information we need. Some examples of information we might ask for include: 

• If you have specific support needs, we will send you a form by email to complete in more detail so we can provide support tailored to your needs. 
• If necessary, you will receive a call from our support team to ensure we can provide the support you need at college. 

• If you have applied for 3 or more courses, you will be sent a link to book a call-back with one of our friendly Advisers who will discuss your options with you and gather any further details we need to progress your application. 

• Once you have booked your call, we will call you from 0800 612 6008, so please save this number to your mobile phone. 

• If you have been sent an assessment (GCSE Maths and English, Access to HE, or counselling), your application will not be processed further until this has been completed. 

• You will receive your conditional offer by email to confirm the programme you have applied

• If your course has Entry requirements, these can be found on the course pages of our website

• Your conditional offer may also include details of an alternative pathway programme that you might be eligible for if you do not meet the entry criteria. 

A conditional offer means you have been offered a place on the course, but it is not guaranteed yet. Your place will be confirmed only when: 

• You have met the entry requirements for the course. 

• You have submitted a complete enrolment form in the summer. 

• There is still a place available on the course at the time you have submitted a complete enrolment form  

• We will be in touch with you regularly to let you know about all the exciting things happening at college and to support you in becoming an Activate Learning student in September. 

• Make sure you are financially prepared by investigating here. 

• You will also be invited to a student welcome day over the summer which will be a further opportunity for you to orientate yourself and learn more about college life.  

• Visit the  Starting College page to discover everything you need to know before starting College. 

• If you met the conditions of your offer great news! If your course is dependent on qualifications, you will need to update your Enrolment Form with your qualifications. 

• If you didn’t meet the conditions or wish to change your plans don’t worry! You will know which course you might now be eligible for, or if you wish to change your plans give us a call or book on to a College Clearing appointment. This is a second chance at getting a place at college, by matching students with places we still have available. 

• Completing your enrolment is the final step to becoming a student. 

• During the month of August, you will receive an email that will contain a link to your online enrolment form. You will need to click ‘enrol me’ and complete your enrolment as soon as possible to guarantee your place. 

• As mentioned in the Results Day information, if your course is dependent on qualifications, you will need to update your Enrolment Form with your qualifications. 

• Only once we have received all information required for you enrolment (Results/grades, identification, any visa requirements, photo for your student ID card), will we be able to process the enrolment. It is at this stage, that those learners who were part of the Early Application Pathway, will have their enrolment prioritised over learners who went through the Late Application Pathway.  

• Delay in providing all the information needed, could put you at risk of not obtaining a place, so it is important you provide all the information when asked.  

• We will confirm your enrolment by email, and it is only then your place is confirmed. 

• You will also receive your first day arrangements, so you know where to go and at what time.  

• Please see more information about the enrolment process here (https://www.activatelearning.ac.uk/how-to-enrol/)  

• You’ll be invited in to Connect to College week, which will consist of a schedule of activity designed to give you the best possible start. 

• Connect to College week is vital preparation for the beginning of the term. It is essential that you attend on the days specified by your faculty as it will ensure that you feel safe, confident and supported in college. 

• Your will be given your Student ID and Lanyard during this week. 

• Final step… start your course with us!