All the options available when it’s time to choose your next steps can make the decision seem overwhelming, but we’re here to help guide you to the best route for your future progression.
Your College Experience
Many say that their time at college is the best years of their lives, and here at Suffolk New College, we’re determined to ensure that all students have that experience.
If you like to spend your free time energetically, why not look at the wide range of sports and leisure activities we offer?
Career Information, Advice and Guidance
With so much information to process, choosing your next move can be confusing and complicated.
Use our online careers explorer to find out what opportunities are available
Frequently Asked Questions
Full-time courses are typically three days per week doing the one subject you have chosen, with one extra day in college for maths and English if you need to do any GCSE resits (for students that did not achieve grade 4+ at GCSE). Therefore students can take part in relevant industry placements alongside their studies.
You may bring your lunch, purchase food in college at lunchtime, or leave the campus, provided you are back in time to attend your afternoon lessons. If you received free school meals whilst in high school, you’re likely eligible for these in college too. You can apply for this with the bursary application after enrolment.
Our level 1 and level 2 courses are one year long, and the level 3 and T Level courses are typically two years long. Level 1 courses are the equivalent to receiving GCSEs at grade 3 (and below), Level 2 courses are equivalent to GCSE’s grade 4 (and above), and Level 3 and T Level courses are equivalent to A Levels. There is more information on each specific course page on our website.
Yes! Please contact schoolsupport@suffolk.ac.uk, where we can organise a tour at any of our campuses.
Enrolment begins from GCSE results days in August onwards for most of our applicants (late July onwards for those in Inclusive Learning). You will receive an email to outline what you need to do to enrol a couple of weeks before enrolment begins.
All college rules and regulations are available on the website, and your tutors will go over these during your start date. These will be very different to your high school, and we expect you to behave like adults and comply with them. However, we assure you that you will be treated like intelligent young adults while you are here; which will include (but is not limited to) no designated lunch period, no uniforms (unless required for safety by your course), and no longer needing permission to use the bathroom!
As soon as you have submitted your application, you will receive an email to confirm that it has all gone through successfully. Some courses offer a place straight away, but others will require an interview first (the team will be in touch shortly after the application to get the interview booked with you). The My Application page lets you log in and check your application status at any point.
Yes, you can apply for a bursary on our website after enrolling. The bursary decision will be dependent on your financial circumstances. If eligible, the bursary will be paid directly into the student’s bank account to cover the costs of your travel to college, PPE, resources etc.
There is no age limit when applying for an apprenticeship. The application date will vary with each vacancy. As you look through apprenticeship vacancies, make sure that you check the closing and start dates. Some employers will look for apprentices to start in September, while others will begin within a few weeks, which you will not be able to do if you’re still in school. For further information, please contact apprenticeships@suffolk.ac.uk.
When you know which course you want to apply for, get your application in to secure your place! We recommend you submit your application by mid-June to ensure you receive an invite for the Experience Day. Our applications are open until August, but some courses may be full of applicants by this point.
During application, there is a section for you to add any learning needs or exam concessions, including whether you currently have an EHCP. Our Additional Learning Support Team will then get in touch with you nearer to the summer to complete a NEEDS assessment with you and your parents/carers to determine how much support should be in place for you. Usually, this will be the same support you received in school, e.g. a one-to-one Learning Support Assistant coloured paper or extra time for exams. Please contact als@suffolk.ac.uk for further details.