1. How to apply

How to Apply

RESEARCH

• 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

APPLY

• 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. 

OUR APPLICATION PATHWAYS

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. 

ASSESSING YOUR APPLICATION

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.