As you approach the end of your secondary school journey, you’ll be thinking about your sixth form options and your next steps.

Spanning three campuses in Bridgwater, Taunton, and Cannington, BTC has a vast array of subjects available and ensures there is a course that will suit everyone.

Bridgwater

Taunton

Cannington

Pathways

There are five routes you can choose from at BTC – we call these pathways. A Levels, the International Baccalaureate, T Levels, BTECs and Apprenticeships, within these pathways there are a wide range of subjects to choose from. With so many choices, my advice to you would be to think about your style of learning, subjects you enjoy and go from there.  If you’re enjoying what you’re studying it will make your time at College even more enjoyable.

Whichever route you choose to take, our role is to support you in achieving your goals and ambitions, we do this within the BTC Advantage Framework and will use this to support you on every step of the journey, whether this is taking your first steps to independence, gaining a scholarship to study at a University abroad or gaining a place at Oxbridge.

Don’t forget! Being a BTC student is much more than gaining a qualification; it’s about getting involved, experiencing new things, and making new friends. There are lots of extra-curricular activities and a great calendar of social events, all of which should ensure you have a really good time beyond the classroom. We also run many trips and visits, last year students went to Mississippi, New York, LA, Italy and South Africa.

Please come and explore your options, we have a number of Open Days and Taster sessions throughout the year, come and see for yourself.

The Application Process

Now that you have researched and chosen BTC as your college provider all you need to do is apply. It’s very straightforward, follow our guide and you’ll be here in no time at all.

We use email to keep you in the loop and occasionally a letter, text message or phone call, so please make sure the email you give us on your application form is one you check regularly (preferably your personal email, not your school email).

When you fill in your application form, please give us contact information that you check regularly. It is very important to let us know if your contact details change.

Step One: Applying

Leave yourself plenty of time to fill in the application form. We will encourage you to submit your application online at www.btc.ac.uk but if you are unable to do so, please fill out the application form at the back of this prospectus.

If you’re still not sure which course is right for you or would like to start an Apprenticeship, you can apply for more than one course on your form. Please note, you will need to have secured an employer in order to start an Apprenticeship. If you do apply for an Apprenticeship, we also recommend you add a full-time course to your application as a backup.

If you need help filling in the form, please ask your careers teacher or contact the Information & Advice team.

TOP TIP – If you apply for an Apprenticeship, also apply for a full-time course as a backup.

Step Two: The Interview

Once we’ve received your application, you’ll be invited to an interview via email.

If you’ve applied for more than one course, you’ll be invited to the corresponding number of interviews.

The important thing to say is ‘Don’t panic!’ What our staff want to see is the real you, so don’t feel as if you should be anything other than yourself.

You may be asked to bring along, submit or prepare something such as a portfolio of work or an audition piece to support your interview. This will be noted in the email you receive inviting you for an interview.

The purpose of the interview is to make sure you’ve chosen the right course for you, for us to understand what plans you might have for the future, and for you to get to know us a little better.

If your interview is for A Levels but you’re not sure which subjects to choose, don’t worry, you can discuss this at the interview.

Please make sure you confirm your attendance by selecting the relevant button in the email you are sent and please ensure you are available for the whole period of your scheduled interview.

Most interviews will be conducted by telephone. Please ensure you will have full signal and are in a quiet space. You also may be called via a withheld number.

TOP TIP – Ask questions. It is important you make the right choice. No question is a silly question!

Step Three: Offers

Soon after your interview, we’ll email you with an offer of a place.

After receiving your offer, please let us know if you accept your place either by responding to the email or calling us. If you’re offered a place during your interview, you can say that you’d like to accept it then and there.

Once you’re happy your place is secured, it’s back to the revision in preparation for your GCSEs. We’ll be thinking of you and wish you the very best of luck.

TOP TIP – Secure your place on your chosen course by either responding to your email or by calling us to accept your offer.

Step Four: Enrolment

Look out for your invitation to enrol – this is when you officially become a BTC student. You’ll set up your student account and send us your photo for your ID card. Once this is done, you’ll be ready to get involved in all the fun and exciting opportunities we offer.

This is the start of a whole new adventure, which we hope you’ll enjoy!

TOP TIP – Keep checking your emails and get in touch if your email address has changed.

Step Five: Welcome Day

You’ll be invited to a Welcome Day in June.

This is a chance to make new friends, meet your course tutor, experience the BTC atmosphere and see where you’ll be studying.

TOP TIP – Everyone else will be nervous too, so don’t worry – it’s a fun, relaxed way to start making friends.

Step Six: Results Day

No doubt your palms will be sweating as you open your results. If you get the grades you need, congratulations! Just upload your results to your BTC enrolment link or bring them in on your first day at College.

If your grades are better, or perhaps aren’t what you’d hoped for, give us a call. There’ll be lots of alternatives for you to choose from and you’ll still have the chance to study with us.

TOP TIP – Keep an eye out for the GCSE helpline number that goes live on Results Day.