FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Most of our students do have a part/full time job whilst studying at College. You can have a job but will need to work this around your course timetable.  

This is dependent on individual circumstances and is not guaranteed. You would need to discuss this with your Tutor either at interview or whilst you are on your course.  

The entry requirements vary depending on the course type and level. Entry requirements can be found on the course page on the Chesterfield College website. This will also be discussed with you at your interview.

This is very rare but there are some instances where adults can study more than one course. If you choose to study A-Levels and attend Sixth Form you may need to choose up to 3 different subjects to study.  

Yes, we offer the opportunity to switch courses throughout September and early October. Contact your tutor as soon as possible so we can help you switch. If you are unsure of your options, you can also arrange a careers appointment by visiting the student and apprentice services hub or emailing careersteam@chesterfield.ac.uk.  

Initial fee advice can be requested from the admissions team. However, this will be subject to a financial assessment at the point of enrolment.

If you do not meet the entry requirements prior to enrolling we would advise considering an alternative programme, if this happens, please contact the admissions team for further guidance or support. If you have been made a conditional offer subject to grades but have not achieved the entry requirements, an alternative course may be discussed with you. Should an alternative course not be available, our careers team will arrange an appointment with you to discuss alternative options.  

Unfortunately, we are unable to take international students on a study visa. If you are not a UK national, you will need proof of eligibility to study in the UK, such as your passport. 

The SEND team helps to make sure that each student or apprentice who has a disability and/or additional learning needs has their educational needs met. This involves removing barriers through reasonable adjustments so that you don’t have to work lots harder than others and you have the same chance to do well. At your interview this will be discussed, and any support will be agreed and implemented.  

Where possible we encourage students to avoid booking holidays during term time. Should you have an existing holiday or other exceptional circumstance that is due to take place during term time, please speak to your course tutor in the first instance who will confirm if this is allowed.

No unfortunately not.  Only our current students can undertake their exams with the College.

All absences must be reported to curriculum administrator in your curriculum area, and you should have been given the contact details for this person.  If you are unsure, please contact your tutor directly or call main reception on 01246 500500 who will put you through to the department.  

All holidays should be taken during non-term time.  You will need to let your Tutor know as soon as possible which must be approved.

You can get a temporary Lanyard from Reception at the cost of £1 which is payable by card or cash but is only valid for the day it is purchased.  You will need to return the lanyard to reception at the end of each day.

You will need to go to the Enrolment Office on our main campus where a new one can be issued to you. The cost is £5 for a replacement.

You will need to email the Enrolment Office direct on enrolment@chesterfield.ac.uk and provide your full name and student number.  You will also need to state what the information is that you need. 

There is a Staff and Student Car Park which is signposted on Infirmary Road but there are limited spaces available.

Email the enrolment team at enrolment@chesterfield.ac.uk  with your student number or bring in a copy of your Council Tax Exemption form to the Enrolment Office which is based in S028 on the main College campus.

Email the enrolment team at enrolment@chesterfield.ac.uk with the information required including your student number.  You may be asked to complete a consent form if any of your personal information has changed. 

To update your address please email enrolment@chesterfield.ac.uk. To update your name, you will need to do this by visiting the Enrolment Office which is based in S028 on the main College campus and provide legal documentation that confirms your name change such as deed poll, birth certificate, marriage certificate, passport.

There will be some general information on the college website, but you may need to contact the enrolment team and provide information on your employment status, wage slips, banks statement to enable us to check to see if you are eligible for a fee waiver at enrolment@chesterfield.ac.uk. You can also visit the Enrolment Office to request this information. 

Email the enrolment team at enrolment@chesterfield.ac.uk and they will send you a copy.

We aim to secure you an interview date within a few working dates from applying. During peak times this may take longer. If you would like an update please contact our admissions team via admissions@chsterfield.ac.uk.  

You will need to visit the Chesterfield College website to apply. Once you have decided on the right course for you, click ‘Apply Now’ on the course page on the College website. This will take you to the application portal where you will be required to fill out the online application. If you are experiencing difficulties applying online, please contact us on 01246 500500 where a member of the team can talk you through it. You can also attend one of our open evenings where a member of the team can also support you with making an application. Contact us or visit the events page on our website for more information.

Once we have received your application, you will receive correspondence via email inviting you to an interview with the course tutor.

This will depend on the outcome of your interview with your tutor. If you are made a conditional offer following the interview you will receive a confirmation email confirming the offer and next steps. If you are referred to an alternative course your details will be sent to the admissions team to book an interview for the alternative course. If you are referred for further career’s advice and guidance, a member of the careers team will contact you directly to arrange an appointment.

For courses which start in September, the application deadline is October half term. Some courses have multiple intake dates throughout the year so please check the start date on the course page on the website, or speak with the admissions team if you are unsure if you can still apply.

The student sign in option is available on the Chesterfield College website. This will prompt you to log in with your student details, the username will be your student number followed by @students.chesterfield.ac.uk and your password will be the same one you use to log into the computers at college.

If you are having issues accessing a laptop, please report to main reception or the library and explain the problem. Our staff will then be able to advise and support you.

If you cannot access your account off-site, you will need to select the ‘reset password’ option on the sign in page. If you are here at college, your tutor can generate a temporary password for you to access your account, you will then need to enter a new password.  

Email our admissions team, with your full name, D/O/B and the date of your interview to confirm your attendance.

Yes, that’s no problem.  To re-arrange please email our admissions team with your full name, D/O/B and they will re-schedule your appointment.

Please follow the instructions that are on the email invitation. If your interview is at our Infirmary Road campus, report to the main College reception on Infirmary Road, unless you are informed otherwise in the invitation email. Please be aware that some interviews take place at our West Studios location and Learning Unlimited Derby Centre so it is important you check the location on your invitation email.   

Yes, they are more than welcome to come along with you to the interview.

If you are coming straight from school your uniform is fine, otherwise smart casual wear is acceptable.

This varies depending on the course you apply for. Normally its between 30 minutes to 1 hour. 

• Form of ID 

• Email confirmation of your interview 

• A pen and paper 

• Proof of any qualifications and/or predicted grades 

• Any other items listed on your invitation to interview 

This varies depending on your age and the course you are undertaking. Existing/current students will be asked to pre-enrol prior to their current course ending if they are progressing to a course in the following year. New students starting in September will receive an email inviting them in to enrol during the summer.  This normally takes place at the end of August, beginning of September. Enrolments that take place throughout the year will be asked to come in to enrol by the relevant curriculum department. 

You will need to bring a form of ID (e.g. driving licence, bank card, birth certificate etc.) and proof of grades including English and Maths to ensure you meet the entry criteria. In addition to the above, adults will also need to bring in evidence of their universal credit statement, any payslips and bank statements if we need to carry out an assessment for a fee waiver. If you are not a UK national, you will need proof of eligibility to study in the UK, such as your passport, a biometric residency permits or any home office documentation.  

Student bursaries are funds which are available to assist students with the essential costs associated with attending college such as support with travel to College, uniform, kit, materials and in some instances free school meals.

There are different types of support available to students through the bursary. These include travel support through a Stagecoach bus pass or (if there are no Stagecoach routes available) a subsidised travel payment each term. Essential kit, course trips, uniform and materials can also be included.  We can also support eligible students aged 16-18 with free College meals for each day they are due to attend. Each fund has different eligibility rules depending on age, course funding, household income, receipt of means-tested benefits and personal circumstances. The criteria are subject to change each year. 

If you are aged between 16-18 (or 19-24 with an active EHCP) then your eligibility will be assessed on your household income. If you are aged 19+ then your eligibility will be assessed on your own income (inclusive of spouse/partner if living together). 

Applications usually open in July.  You will receive an email from us to inform you that applications are open along with the instructions on how to apply.

The deadline to apply is the last Friday in October.  Should your circumstances change throughout the year meaning you would then qualify for support, please speak to your LEAP Mentor in the first instance as exceptions can be made. It is important to note that funds are limited and will be awarded based on a first-come, first-served basis. Whilst we will make every effort to support you, we cannot guarantee that funds will be available past this point in the year.  

We aim to process bursary applications withing 15 working days of receiving them. However, this will take longer between August and September due to the sheer volume of applications received. You will receive an email from us confirming when your application has been processed. 

Once your bursary application has been awarded, you will receive an email detailing what you have been awarded and how to access the support. Bus passes are available to collect at the start of each term from a stand in the Heartspace or alternatively, in the Student and Apprentice Services Hub.  You will receive an email or Microsoft Teams message once your pass is ready to collect. If you are eligible for support with uniform, kit, materials and/or trips costs this will be dealt with internally with your curriculum team. 

If you are unsatisfied with the level of support awarded to you, an Appeals Form can be collected from the Student and Apprentice Services Hub. Once filled out and returned to feedback@chesterfield.ac.uk, we will notify you within 10 working days of the outcome.

Yes, you will need to complete a new application for each academic year you will study with us as a new household income assessment will be required due to funding regulations.

If you are over 19+ you must apply for bursary and then collect a childcare support application form from Student Services. If you are under the age of 19, you must apply for childcare through the Government Care to Learn Scheme. Please note, you must submit a childcare application for each academic year of study. 

If you are successful with your application, you will be awarded financial support of up to £2,500 per child, per academic year. This is paid directly to your childcare provider. Chesterfield College is not liable for any fees incurred over the amount awarded, it is the student’s responsibility to arrange payments with the childcare provider. If you are marked on the register as sick or unauthorised, we will not pay the childcare fee that date relates to. If extended learning has been authorised by your tutor, we will pay towards any costs. If you are withdrawn from a course, payments will be terminated. 

Apprenticeships give you the opportunity to gain valuable work experience whilst working towards an industry recognised qualification. They are designed to equip you with the relevant knowledge, skills and behaviours for a successful career in your chosen field. As an apprentice you receive the same benefits as a full-time employee, including a salary and holiday entitlement.

There are a number of ways you can apply or register your interest. You can apply for one of our many vacancies on the Chesterfield College website by viewing our ‘Live Vacancies’ page, or by visiting the Government Website.

To register and have a discussion with one of our advisors, please visit the following webpage, Apprenticeship Home.

The entry requirements vary depending on the type of apprenticeship. The entry requirements will be discussed with you once you have applied. However, most of our apprenticeships require a GCSE grade 3 or 4 in both Maths and English.

Some of our apprenticeships require you to attend college once a week, however, there are others which are delivered remotely through online learning platforms such as Microsoft Teams.

Yes, once you have secured an interview with the recruitment team, our advisors will ask if you require any support. This could be in relation to a specific learning need, access arrangements or helping you prepare for an employer interview.