Frequently Asked Questions: Admissions

Q: How do I apply for a course?

A: You can apply on-line by clicking here or alternatively you can post your application form to our freepost address:

Admissions
South Essex College
FREEPOST SMU110
Luker Road
Southend on Sea
Essex, SS2 5BR

You can also drop-in to any of our main campuses and complete an application form at either Learner Services or the College reception. A drop box for applications is available at each campus reception.

Q: When can i apply?

A: There is no application deadline so you can apply any time during the year; however, as many of our courses are very popular you should apply as soon as possible to give you the best chance of getting onto your first choice course. Offers are prioritised based on the date of your application.

Q: What if I need support when I am studying?

A: If you disclose at any point in the application process that you have a disability, medical condition or learning difficulty you will be referred to the Learner Services team who will discuss your potential support needs.

Q: Do I need to have an interview?

A: For most (but not all) of our Further Education (16-18) courses you are not required to attend an applicant interview, however for some courses you will be invited to attend a one to one interview or group session. In some circumstances we may arrange an interview over the phone.

Following the initial course interview, an additional interview with the Learner Services team may be required before we can process your application further. Where support is required, once it has been agreed, an offer on a course will be made, subject to the availability of places.

We screen applicants for 16-18 courses based on the predicted grades provided on your application form against the entry criteria for each course. If your predicted grades meet the course entry criteria we will make you a conditional offer of entry, subject to the availability of places.

Once an offer has been made you will be notified via a conditional offer letter, which will also include an invitation for you to attend a faculty briefing event which will give you the chance to meet the course tutors as well as other applicants. These are held throughout the Academic Year (not during summer holidays).

Most Briefing Events are optional however some are compulsory, as are interviews. Briefing events for the Media and Creative Arts Faculty, the Enterprise and Lifestyle Services Faculty and ILEX courses are compulsory. Additionally, applicants for Art and Media courses are required to provide a portfolio and to meet with tutors to discuss their work. For Performance courses (Music, Acting, Dance and Musical Theatre) applicants are required to attend and pass an audition. These are in addition to the academic entry criteria detailed in the 16-19 prospectus and offer letter.

Q: What do I need to bring to my Briefing Event/Interview/Audition?

A: Please bring with you evidence of your examination results (or your predicted examination results), your record of achievement, or any other evidence to support your application.

Please refer to the course specific insert that will be sent with you offer letter for further guidance.

Q: How long will my Briefing Event/Interview/Audition take?

A: Briefing Events/Interviews/Auditions can take between 30 minutes and 2 hours, please refer to the course specific insert that will be sent with you offer letter for further guidance.

Q: Can my parents/guardian come with me?

A: Yes, your parent/guardian is welcome to come with you, however it is not essential.

Q: What if I cannot attend my Briefing Event/Interview/Audition?

A: If you cannot attend your briefing event/interview/audition, it is important that you let us know as soon as possible so that we can reschedule it for another date.

If you need to reschedule, contact Admissions directly via email admissions@southessex.ac.uk or by telephoning us at 0845 52 12345. If you call, be sure to state the name of the campus you have applied to so that you are transferred to the Admissions team at that campus.

In most cases we will be able to offer you a new date immediately, however if we are waiting on additional dates for courses or Learner Services, we will inform you in writing. If for some reason we are unable to offer you a new date by the end of term, we will invite you to drop in during our enrolment in August.

If you fail to attend a compulsory Briefing Event/Interview/Audition and do not notify us in advance, you will be sent a No-Show letter, which will ask you to contact us to reschedule.

It is also important to note that if you reapply for a course after a previous application has been withdrawn, your new application will reflect the date of the new application, rather than the original.

Q: How do I change my contact details?

A: If you move, or if your contact details change after you have applied for a course, it is very important that you let Admissions know as soon as possible. If you don’t keep your contact details up to date you could miss out on important correspondence relating to your application (e.g. briefing event/interview/audition invitation, course offers and your personal enrolment pack) and your place could be given to another applicant.

You can update your contact details by emailing the Admissions team at admissions@southessex.ac.uk.

Q: How do I change the course I have applied for?

A: If you change your mind about the course you have applied for, you should contact Admissions as soon as possible. It is important to note that if you change your mind about course your and apply for a different one, your application will reflect the date of the new application, rather than the original.

Q: What does ‘subject to availability’ mean?

A: In some cases, the number of applicants who meet the entry criteria for a course may exceed the number of available places and we will be unable to guarantee you a place on the course. While offers are made based on the date of the application, if a course is fully booked up we will put you on a waiting list. If this happens, we will keep you informed of the status of your offer throughout the year.

In the majority of cases, applicants on the waiting list will be able to enrol on the course due to other applicants withdrawing or failing to meet the entry criteria. If no place becomes available we will endeavour to find a place on a suitable alternative programme.

Q: Do I have to confirm my offer of a place?

A: If you receive an offer letter for one of our 16-19 courses, you must confirm acceptance of your place by returning the slip at the bottom of the offer letter. In July, we will send our summer confirmation letter to you to confirm you still wish to take up the offer of a place at the College.

Q: When does enrolment start?

A: Further Education enrolment generally starts in August on GCSE results day. Your enrolment pack will include your course specific enrolment day and it is important that you attend the correct enrolment day. We will also publish enrolment information on our website.

Q: When will I get my enrolment pack?

A: Your enrolment pack will be sent to you approximately two weeks prior to your scheduled enrolment day.

Q: When is the first day of term?

A: At enrolment you will meet your tutor and they will advise you of the date, time and location of your first day of study.