Each year, we host a number of events. We’d love to welcome you to the college, and you can find our full list of events here.
To keep up to date with all our events, please go to our dedicated Events page.
You can find our full list of events by visiting our Event page. Alternatively, you can follow us across our social media channels to keep up to date with everything BTC.
Yes, there is parking available at all of our campuses.
It is not a requirement; however, we strongly recommend that they attend at least one Open Event or come to one of the taster days.
Yes, we hold Open Events at all of our campuses throughout the year that often feature a tour element. If you require a smaller tour of the campus, please contact the Marketing team at schoolsmarketing@btc.ac.uk.
Yes, they may be able to attend a taster day organised through their school. Alternatively, they could register for a taster day or development day. Find out more about these on our Events page.
Taster days are a great way for your young person to explore their chosen subject area in more detail, and decide whether they would like to study it at College.
Our Information & Advice team are happy to help and discuss options, contactable via email at info@btc.ac.uk or by telephone at 01278 455464. The Department for Education’s Exam Results Helpline is another option to consider.
You can find out all required steps for applications on your chosen area page.
Yes, if your young person is still not sure which course is right for them or would like to start an Apprenticeship, they can apply for more than one course. We recommend they try not to apply for more than three. If they have applied for very different subjects, they may be interviewed more than once.
The process differs depending on the type of programme your young person is looking to study. Please visit our Course pages for more information.
Your young person will be kept up to date via email. However, if they have not received any emails from us, please contact the Admissions team at admissions@btc.ac.uk.
There are no tuition fees for students under the age of 19, there may however be costs incurred for resources, lockers, kit, uniform, equipment and trips (payable on enrolment). Any cost information will be relayed to you and your young person during the application process.
No, our interviews usually take place over the phone as an informal chat with a tutor about your young person’s successes at school.
Our extensive Interview Preparation page has everything your young person’s needs to know about the interview process, and what they can do to prepare.
After the interview, your offer will be sent by email. There will be a button in the email that will enable you to accept the offer. Alternatively, you can contact our Admissions team at admissions@btc.ac.uk, or by calling 01823 366612.
There are several opportunities to visit the College before starting in September. Please see the above Events & Open Days section, or visit our dedicated Events page.
There is no singular best pathway for everyone, but we encourage careful consideration about what suits them best. We recommend that you explore the differences using our guide and talk to your young person about their learning style, career aspirations and the subjects that they enjoy at school.
We understand that the final year at school is really busy, so your young person may struggle to secure a job with an employer looking for an apprentice. Once they have received an offer, we will enter them into the Talent Pool.
We also suggest they choose a full-time study programme as their second choice so they are guaranteed a place at College. They can change to an Apprenticeship at any time after they start their study programme if they find employment.
If your young person has an offer for an apprenticeship, but have not yet secured employment, they will be entered into the Talent Pool. We work alongside your young person to provide them with the correct tools to gain employment.
After accepting your offer to study at BTC, you’ll be sent an email inviting you to enrol online. You’ll get access to Destination BTC, which includes a range of materials about starting College on a secure portal.
You can always speak to your Careers Teacher if you need assistance, or contact our Information & Advice Team on either 01278 441234, or at info@btc.ac.uk.
That’s OK – our online Career Coach tool is designed to help establish some potential career options for your young person. Alternatively, we recommend your young person talk to their Careers Teacher or a member of our School Liaisons team whenever they get a chance.
We offer sport scholarships ranging from £125 to £1,000. They’re based on your young person’s previous achievements and current level. They can apply whether they are studying sport or not. BTC is also TASS Dual Career accredited, so well-placed to support talented athletes balancing sport and study. For more information, please visit Sport at BTC or email sport@btc.ac.uk.
Of course – there’s lots of people who can provide them with help about applying to college. Your Careers Teacher or Careers Advisor are one option, or you can speak to our dedicated team of advisors on 01278 455464 or by emailing info@btc.ac.uk to make an appointment.
Whilst there is not a strict deadline for applications, it helps to have your application in early. You can apply right up until September.
They will be given a draft of your timetable at your Welcome Day. The finalised version will be provided in September during your young person’s induction.
Induction will be the first few days of your young person’s college course, commonly the first 2 – 3 days.
Our campuses are based at Bridgwater, Taunton and Cannington.
There are a variety of ways to get to College; most use our plethora of transport options, via train and bus, and many drive and lift share if they are able.
There are a number of buses that service our Cannington campus, please see our transport page for further information or contact transportrequests@btc.ac.uk if you have a specific question about transport.
This can be a quite common experience for young people; we always recommend they first have a discussion with their Personal Tutor who will be able to offer their advice and assistance. Alternatively, the Student Support team are always there to help. We will work with you to find a solution everyone is happy with.
After your young person’s enrolment, they will officially be a BTC student. With this, they will have access to Destination BTC, an online portal that features information such as a ‘kit list’, which refers to the specialist equipment or clothing you’ll need for your specific course (if any).
Our teaching staff use a wide-range of materials in order to deliver our high standards of education. Some students choose to purchase certain textbooks, but we try to provide as many options as possible to ensure accessibility.
Our Learning Resource Centres (LRCs) are based on every campus, and we recommend students make use of these facilities that feature a large library of physical textbooks. Alongside this, students have access to the online Heritage library catalogue which includes a Click & Collect / Book Reservation service, and the BlackBoard education portal that includes many materials specific to your course.
We encourage parents & carers to contact us whenever you feel you need to, whether about a problem, to ask a question, or offer feedback. Your primary point of contact with the College will be your young person’s Personal Tutor, who you will be invited to meet at Parents Evenings.
No, however, most courses provide equipment that is essential for students’ courses and our on-site digital facilities include Mac computers, 3D printers, art studios and much more.
Our Student Life page has everything your young person needs to know about making the most of their time at BTC. Whether sports, academies, the Student Union or trips and visits.
Team BTC & BTC Active are a core element of the BTC experience. Students have the opportunity to get involved in a number or sports, both competitive and non-competitive, across skill levels.
We provide top-quality workshops and teaching areas across both campuses for subjects such as art, design and media, hair and beauty, catering, automotive engineering and construction. You can review our campus facilities here.
For us, the success of our students always comes first. By investing in our built environment, we’re investing in your future. You can take a virtual tour of our campuses here.
We have Halls of Residence in Cannington which any full-time student can apply to stay. Priority is given to students applying to study a land-based, Higher Education or specialist course, or living outside of a 30-mile radius of the College.
BTC Accommodation is mainly based at Cannington Campus and is primarily utilised by Cannington and Bridgwater students. We also have a limited number of independent living Higher Education flats in Taunton.
Cannington Accommodation caters for Further Education (16-18 year olds) and also Higher Education degree students (18+ years). Accommodation is allocated based on age and the two age groups are accommodated in different lodges. The limited number of Taunton flats are only offered to Over 18 students.
Cannington Accommodation is staffed 24/7 and there is always support to be found in the Residential Office. Residential students will be made aware of where and how to find staff for maintenance, wellbeing, financial and any other concerns.
Students in accommodation have a variety of social, enrichment and engagement activities that they can participate in. Activities are run everyday and there is a team of activity officers that run these. These activities may be on-site or off-site, and they cater to a variety of interests. Student suggestions for activities are encouraged and welcomed.
BTC has been rated Good with Outstanding features by OFSTED. You can find the full report here.
We offer a wide range of trips, some of which are fully-funded whilst others are not. We always try to ensure affordability, and provide avenues for students to explore fundraising and/or access to government supported schemes.
Yes, our chaplains on each campus support students and staff with faith and non-faith needs, offering spaces for worship and/or reflection.
We have a range of catering outlets on each campus, so whether you want a nourishing home-cooked meal, a quick snack, or cup of coffee, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants to satisfy your needs and dietary requirements.
Both Taunton and Bridgwater campuses have a Costa Coffee on-site.
There are several options to pay, including contactless, cash or meal cards. Remember to check if your young person is entitled to free school meals.
You can find out all about financing on our dedicated Costs & Funding page.
Please visit our Scholarships and Bursaries page for more information.
We believe student support is essential to a successful learning experience; you can find out everything you need to know here.
Our aim at BTC is for all learners with additional support needs to have equal access to the curriculum, and work towards meeting their full potential with our support. The Additional Learning Support department has a highly qualified, dedicated, and experienced team.
The team work closely with the students and teaching staff to organise and implement a wide range of support sessions, and programmes, each tailored to the needs of the individual learner. Some of the support we can offer includes exam access assessments and arrangements, diagnostic assessments, support to access and use assistive technologies, study skills support, assignment support, 1:1 specialist support, in-class support, small group workshops and mentoring.
The aim and the ethos of the Learning Support Team is to give all learners the tools, strategies and support to be as independent in their studies as possible. They can then take these skills forward into their next steps in education and/or the workplace.
Please email our Additional Learning Support team at learning.support@btc.ac.uk or call us at 01278 455464.
The Safeguarding Team can offer advice and guidance on anything that may be affecting your young person and their studies – no problem is too big or too small!
Please email our Safeguarding team at staysafe@btc.ac.uk. If you query is urgent, please come to the Campus Reception and ask to speak to a Safeguarding Officer.
The Student Engagement team can offer advice and guidance on anything that may be affecting your young person’s studies, and our wellbeing officers are here to support all students across campuses who may be struggling with their mental health, or having difficulties outside of college. Find out more here.
The Wellbeing Team can mentor and signpost students who are struggling with a range of issues that are negatively impacting their day-to-day life. The Wellbeing Team works closely with the Lifestyle Team to promote proactive wellbeing enrichment sessions. The team can refer on to counselling when appropriate.
Yes, the college offers an initial information session followed by up to 6 counselling sessions with our professional, qualified counsellors or counsellors in training. This service is confidential and easily accessible for students in need. To contact the college’s counselling team directly please email counsellingservice@btc.ac.uk.
BTC aims to offer a careers service that is accessible to everyone. We will seek to equip your young person with the skills and knowledge that will enable them to operate confidently, effectively and independently in life and work. All students have the opportunity to meet with a Careers Advisor for 1:1 career support.
Our online Career Coach tool is designed to help establish some potential career options for your young person.
All our students at BTC, will have a personal tutor to support them with their academic progress and personal development. The tutorial programme consists of 1:1 support, group tutorials and guest speakers, plus targeted online resources which complement the BTC Advantage scheme.
If you cannot find an answer to your question in this FAQ section, you can ask us a question by completing the following form. A member of the BTC team will get back to you as soon as possible.
