We're really pleased that you are joining CWA in September and we hope you are looking forward to starting (or returning!) to college. This page on our website includes everything to help you prepare for joining CWA. Please note that most of the information on this page is only relevant for full-time or part-time qualifications. If you are starting an apprenticeship, you should ask your apprenticeship advisor for further details on the start of your course.
Your starting college checklist!
We know starting college is quite a big step and we've put together a checklist of things which you need to do and when by. You can click most of the list to take you to where you need to go!
The dates are to give you a guide of what should take priority - don't worry if the date has passed; it's just something you should prioritise as soon as possible!
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See your checklist
What to do When Check you can access the student portal with your username and password. Watch our 50 second YouTube tutorial here! ASAP Check and update your and your parent's / carer's contact details on the student portal ASAP Apply for financial support (if your household income is less than £50,000 per annum) By 17th July Complete our transport calculator and find the cheapest way to get into college, making an application if required By 24th July ADULT STUDENTS - Review your course fees using our fee calculator By 24th July ADULT STUDENTS - Complete your application for the Advanced Learner Loan (if applicable) By 7th August IMPORTANT - Complete step 1, 2 & 3 of your enrolment on the student portal (and step 4, if you are 17+) By 7th August IMPORTANT - Book your enrolment slot to collect your ID card and lanyard By 7th August Check your start date and induction information By 7th August Review kit and equipment requirements and buy anything you need! By 7th August Apply for a parking permit (if you are planning to drive to college) By 15th August Let us know if you know of any dates which you are expecting to be absent (e.g. hospital appointment) during term time By 15th August Complete the "About Me" section on the student portal and consider three employers where you'd like to do your work placement By 20th August Upload a photo of your grades to the enrolment section of the student portal 20th August - 24th August Come into the college to collect your ID card and lanyard 26th August - 1st September Double check your induction information (e.g. what days) hasn't changed 1st September Start your course! From 2nd September
Everything you need to know
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Timetable and induction details
All of our full-time courses will start from Wednesday 2nd September with induction being 1 or 2 days on most courses. We’ll send you a text and email as soon as this information is live. Please note that induction and timetable details may change over the summer, so do check back closer to your start date for the latest updates.
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Information for parents and carers
As a parent or carer of a young person attending college, your support is key in ensuring your young person has a good experience and a successful outcome. Throughout your young person's time at college, we'll key you informed of their progress and achievement and you can find further details on how to support their transition to college, what to expect from us and how we will work together here.
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Completing your enrolment
Next time you log into the student portal, there will be a new section called "Studying with us soon?" which is where you confirm your personal details, upload a photo of yourself for your ID card, upload a photo of your grades / certificates and confirm your course (if you've applied for more than one). It's really important that you complete this as soon as you can to make things easier for you in September.
Once you've done this, you'll be able to book a slot to come in and collect your ID card, lanyard and complete any outstanding paperwork in the summer. If you have just finished year 11, please keep at least one morning or afternoon free between Wednesday 26th August and Friday 28th August.
We'll be in touch once you can book your enrolment slot.
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Worried about your GCSE results?
Even if you don't quite get the grades you need for your course, we will work with you to find a course which suits you - it could be a lower level which will allow you to progress in the future or a different area all together. There's no need to call us when you receive your grades, just upload your grade sheet through the student portal and we'll be in touch with your options.
If you completely change your mind after your GCSE results, we are holding an open day at all of our campuses on Tuesday 25th August. Here you will get the opportunity to speak with the admissions team about your options and meet the course teams for other courses you may be interested in. Details on how to book your place will be added here.
If you achieve a 1 - 3 in English and / or maths, you will continue to study the subjects with us at CWA. If you get a grade 3, you'll be retaking your GCSE with us. If you get a grade 1 or 2 in maths, you'll complete a short assessment during enrolment so that we can see what level you're working towards to help put you on the best maths course for you. Even though you might have to continue English and / or maths at college, it doesn't mean that it's like school! You can find more details about why English and maths is so important for college and your future career here.
You may have studied a BTEC or vocational course at college which is graded as pass, merit or distinction. Please see below for how these compare to normal GCSE results when meeting your entry requirements:
BTEC Grade
Full Name
GCSE Equivalent Grade
L2D* (Level 2)
Level 2 Distinction Star
8-9
L2D
Level 2 Distinction
7
L2M
Level 2 Merit
5-6
L2P
Level 2 Pass
4
L1D (Level 1)
Level 1 Distinction
3
L1M
Level 1 Merit
2
L1P
Level 1 Pass
1
U
Unclassified (Fail)
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Uniform and equipment for your course
For some of our courses, it is necessary to purchase equipment / stationery, protective clothing or industry standard kit to complete your course. You will be able to find all of our kit and equipment lists and details on how to order on the following page:
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Financial support
If your household income is less than £50,000 per annum or you are in care or a care leaver, you will likely be eligible for our financial support scheme which will provide a contribution towards costs associated with college (e.g., travelling to college, equipment, work-placement, free meals (if eligible)). If eligible, it really is important you complete an application as soon as possible to help ensure that we've arranged your travel and ordered your equipment ahead of the start of the course. Further details on what you might receive and how to complete your application can be found on the following page:
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Travelling to college
It's easy to get to and from college, as all of our campuses are well-serviced by local bus services and the King's Lynn campus being a short walk from the train station.
We offer our own private CWA bus routes and work in conjuction with local county councils and providers to operate various bus routes to and from each campus to cater for our full-time students. We've created a transport calculator to help you find the most suitable and cheapest route into college.
If your household income is below £50,000 per annum, you will be eligible for our financial support scheme. If eligible, we will provide at least a contribuition towards travelling to college but, in most instances for those aged 16 - 18, we will be able to purchase a subsidised bus pass for you. If you are eligible for financial support and live in Norfolk, Lincolnshire or Cambridgeshire, please do not apply for transport with your local county council (unless we ask you to do so) as we will purchase a bus pass directly with the provider.
The college has limited parking on all four of our campuses. Parking is by permit only; To apply for a parking permit please fill in this form.
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Get a head start on your work placement
As part of your course, you'll complete a work placement to help you develop your skills, gain valuable experience and prepare for your future career. The number of your hours you'll need to complete will depend on the course you're studying.
Once you start college, you'll be allocated a Work Placement & Careers Coordinator who will support you through the process. They'll help you find a suitable placement, prepare for the workplace and answer any questions you have along the way.
If you have some spare time over the summer, one of the best things you can do is start thinking about and looking for potential work placement opportunities. Think about employers in the industry you'd like to work in and contact them to ask whether they would be happy to offer you a placement once you've started college.
If an employer is interested, make a note of their contact details and let your Work Placement & Careers Coordinator know during induction. They'll take it from there and make sure everything is in place before your placement begins.
Don't worry if you don't manage to find a placement yourself over the summer. Any work you've done will still give us a great starting point to help find you a placement and will show that you've taken some real initiative.
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Course fees for adults
If you are aged 19 and over, there may be some fees to pay for your course. Depending on your education history, personal circumstances and chosen course, you may be able to receive your course fully funded (or partially funded) by the UK government. Our fee calculator below will give you a clear indication on whether you'll be able to have your course fee waived or, if you are studying a level 3 course, covered by an Advanced Learner Loan.
Once you've completed your enrolment steps on the student portal, our enrolment team will complete a full assessment of your fee status and will complete your enrolment if you are eligible to be fully funded. If you are not eligible to receive your course fully funded, you may have course fees to pay. You are able to pay your course fee in installments with a third of the course fee being due at enrolment. If your course costs over £1,500, you are able to pay your course in three termly installments. Otherwise, you will be expected to pay the full fee within the first three months in equal installments. Our enrolment team will call you to arrange payment before the start of your course.