FAQs

Firstly, well done! Secondly, you will need to contact Student.Services@furness.ac.uk / 01229 844 817 to let us know so we can update and withdraw your full-time course application. We will need your full name, date of birth and where your apprenticeship will be at.

Important: Apprenticeship offers are often based on your already achieved grades or predicted grades. For example, if you have applied for a BAE apprenticeship, your offer will be on condition that you achieve certain grades or qualifications. This is called a conditional offer. The other (uncommon) offer type is an unconditional offer, which means you are guaranteed an apprenticeship place regardless of your grades/qualifications. This is usually offered to those who have achieved above the entry requirements for the apprenticeship.

Please check with the employer which type of offer you have been given before deciding to withdraw your application. Once you have withdrawn your application with us, your place will be given to someone else, and you may not be able to gain a place back on your chosen course/subject.

We advise you to wait for your GCSE results day before making any decision so you have a full-time course to fall back on should the outcome not be what you expected.

Yes, you can but only before the October half-term of that year so you can catchup on the assignments. This will also depend on your predicted/final grades.

Channelside – If you want to change courses you need to speak to your current course tutor and then be referred to Student Services. We will then review your grades and if you meet the entry requirements, we will arrange a course transfer and contact the course tutor. If you do not meet the entry requirements, we will provide guidance on alternative courses.

The Sixth Form – There will be a programme change day 2 weeks after you start your course. You can collect and fill-in a form at reception, which you will need your current and new tutor to sign or speak to your PPC. This will also depend on your grades. Some subjects may not be available if you do not meet the entry requirements, or the classes are over-subscribed.

APD (Academic Personal Development) are independent study sessions where you can complete   assignments or tasks set by the tutor on the VLE/Moodle. This time can also be used to revise for exams and practise presentations.

Personal Progress Coach (PPC) lessons are pastoral subjects, covering progression after college i.e., applying for jobs, university, apprenticeships etc.

APD and PPC lessons are mandatory as part of your study programme and must be attended by all students.

Enrolment is the process of adding you to our system so you can officially become a student. We will review your grades and check you are on the correct course/subjects. We will also finalise your timetable. You will need to bring along a form of ID and your final grades/current qualifications.

If you are a 19+ adult student, you will be asked to provide proof of the following (if applicable):

• Low income/means-tested benefits to be eligible for a fee waiver
• Advanced Learner Loan letter
• Sponsorship letter from your employer if they are to be invoiced

Induction you will be given more information about your course and what is expect of your during your studies, meet the tutors, PPC and other students, learn your way around the campus and classrooms and begin your course proper.

It is important that students attend these on the dates we provide in the letter as missing these can cause setbacks for students such as falling behind on assignments and taking longer to adjust to their new environment.

Timetables are available once a student has been enrolled on the first day you start college. You will be able to view this on the MyFurnessApp on Google Play & Apple App Store.

You should inform your tutor if you are in a lesson. If there is a gap in your timetable until your next lesson and you don’t feel well, then inform the reception team or your PPC. We will need to contact your next of kin to arrange transport home/inform them of your sickness. This is required under our Safeguarding policy. Do not go home without informing a staff member. 

If you need a first aider, please report to reception (if possible) or speak to your tutor.

If you feel unwell, are late or have an appointment then you need to call our Absence line to report it. We’ll notify the tutor for you.

To report an absence call:
01229 844865 Channelside

01229 828377  The Sixth Form

Please show our reception team any medical appointment letters etc. so they can log this on the register.

All financial support (bursary) applications require you to have a bank account so payments can be made directly to you. If you apply without including your bank details, it will cause delays and you won’t receive any payments you may be entitled to in time!

We cannot accept a parent/guardian’s bank account unless there are exceptional circumstances. (You will need to provide a letter with your application explaining the reason why.)

We offer a bursary for students who have a household income of £30,500 of below, this includes certain benefits. This fund can help towards uniforms, equipment, education visits, DBS costs, books, meals, travel, hardship payments etc.

For further information about the college bursary visit:

https://www.furness.ac.uk/being-a-student/financial-support/

For any queries, please call the financial support (bursary) helpline: 01229 844 817

You can purchase a 16-17 Railcard, getting 50% off your train fare! If you are in receipt of the college bursary you can get the £30 rail card fee reimbursed if you select the travel option. Visit www.16-17saver.co.uk/ for more information and to apply.

Proof of ID – A passport and full UK birth certificate (the short birth certificate will not be accepted).

• 13-15 year old’s will also need proof of your parent/guardian identity and address (such as a utility bill dated in the last 6 months).
• 16-17 year old’s will need proof of address (such as a letter from your School/College/Educational Institution).

Here is a list of banks you can book an appointment with at branch or open an account online. You can setup an account with any bank of your choice: 

• Barclays: https://www.barclays.co.uk/current-accounts/young-persons-account/ 
• NatWest: https://personal.natwest.com/personal/current-accounts/adapt_account.html 
• Santander: https://www.santander.co.uk/personal/current-accounts/123-mini-current-account 
• HSBC: https://www.hsbc.co.uk/current-accounts/products/children/ 
• Halifax: https://www.halifax.co.uk/bankaccounts/current-accounts/youth-account.html 
• Lloyds: https://www.lloydsbank.com/current-accounts/all-accounts/under-19s-account.html 
• Monzo: https://monzo.com/features/16-plus/ 

We advise that you set up your own bank account. This will be a useful form of ID and help if you if applying for the college financial support (bursary). You can setup a bank account online or in branch. Depending on your age you may need to be accompanied by a parent/guardian to open an account in branch.

You will need to bring in a form of ID. You can bring in one of the following:

• A valid passport
• Birth certificate
• Bank card

If you have one or all of these then you’re good to go. If you don’t, you can apply for them online:

• Apply for a first passport (if aged 15 or below): https://www.gov.uk/get-a-child-passport 
• Apply for your first adult passport (16+): https://www.gov.uk/apply-first-adult-passport 
• Apply for a replacement birth certificate:
  https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/

Please note, it can take up to 4 – 10 weeks to receive a passport or birth certificate.

If you need to change any of your contact details at any point, please call Student Services as soon as possible. It’s important for us to have up-to-date contact information. This includes your parents/guardians’ details. Please note that under Safeguarding and GDPR rules, we are not allowed to disclose any student information to anyone not listed as their primary or secondary contact. Please include these details in the application process.

Channelside campus courses start at the beginning of September. Your enrolment and induction will take place over 3 days.

The Sixth Form courses will have 1 day for enrolment (by appointment).

CORE – College House will have your enrolment and induction take place over 2 days.

Information, appointment date and times will be sent to you by email. Please ensure you attend this as you will be enrolled onto your course and given your ID card, timetable, get to know your classmates etc.

If you can’t make it to your interview on the date and time given, you can call Student Services to re-arrange on 01229 844 817 or email Admissions@furness.ac.uk.

If you decide you want to withdraw from your course/application at any point please let Student

Services know as soon as possible so we can offer the place to another applicant. (Please provide your full name, date of birth and the course you have applied for.)

All correspondence will be sent to you by email.

You will be given a conditional offer letter at interview if you are successful. Simply email Admissions@furness.ac.uk to accept (or decline) your offer. (Please provide your full name, date of birth and the course you have applied for.)

 We will send you further information during the summer break about your September start date.

If you require any support during your interview or time in college, our Learning Support team will be able to assist you. Please inform us if you have any learning difficulties, disabilities, allergies, medical conditions etc that we need to be made aware of. Our Learning Support team will then be in touch to discuss this further with you and arrange support.

The good news is you don’t have to wear a suit (you can do if you like), but we want you to be comfortable, so you can a wear smart-casual outfit (this means you can wear trainers and jeans) or your school uniform if you’ve just finished there for the day.

Most interviews will take no longer than 30 minutes.

What to expect:

• You will be asked questions about why you’d like to study the course; your future goals, hobbies and interests and you’ll be able to ask the tutor questions.
• We also welcome any parent/guardian or support worker to accompany you to the interview, especially if they have questions they would like to ask.

You will need to bring a form of ID and your qualifications (either a letter or certificates showing your predicted or final grades), if you have them.

Your application will be processed and we will send you an email to say we’ve received it. We will then arrange an interview date for you and send you an invite by email.

If you haven’t received any updates about your application or interview date, then you can call on 01229 844817 or email Admissions@furness.ac.uk. (Please provide your full name, date of birth and the course you have applied for.)

You may need to ask your parent/guardian for permission and help, but you can set up a free email account online using any of the following email services:

Outlook: https://signup.live.com/  

Gmail: https://accounts.google.com/  

AOL: https://mail.aol.com/ 

Yahoo: https://uk.mail.yahoo.com/  

Remember to choose a simple and appropriate email address, something you will remember and can use for university or job applications in the future. Don’t forget your password!

We strongly advise that no holidays should be taken during term time as this will have an impact on your coursework, attendance and bursary payments. Holidays should only be booked during the official college holiday period.

If a student is due to take an exam i.e. GCSE, and has booked a holiday during term time when these take place; this cannot be re-arranged for another date or time as these are set by the Awarding Body.

Please note that term timetables can differ between campuses, please visit: https://www.furness.ac.uk/being-a-student/term-dates/  

Usually, the term dates are the same as those set by Cumbria Country Council. You can find more information at: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-term-and-holiday-dates 

We can amend your application for different course or subject(s), so you don’t need to apply again on our website. We will send you a new interview date and time by email when one is available. Please let us know by emailing Admissions@furness.ac.uk and provide your full name, date of birth and the course you have applied for AND the course you would like to swap to.

Channelside course change – We will amend your application to your preferred course and then invite you to attend an interview. If you are unsure of what course you would like to study, please visit our course information pages before deciding. We can also offer information, advice and guidance if needed. To book an appointment, please call Student Services on 01229 844 817.

The Sixth Form subject change – Again, you do not need to apply again on our website. If you change your mind on the subjects you want to study at The Sixth Form, this can be discussed and amended at your interview. We will also review your subject choices again at your enrolment and again at the programme change day 2 weeks into September.

The college runs a number of open days and events. You can meet the staff, see the fantastic new facilities and find out about your life as a student. For a list of upcoming events click here.

Yes, the Student Union sells cards with a range of discounts.

Yes, most courses do, though we do offer courses for those with no prior qualifications and we always treat everyone as an individual. If you are leaving school this year and looking to join us in September click here https://www.furness.ac.uk/16-18/year-11/. For other course requirements use the search function to find the course that best suits you.

You’ll need to be in college for all timetabled lesson time otherwise you are free to come and go. However, A Levels and Cambridge Technicals require considerable independent study time and we encourage our students to use our learning hub, library and IT suites.

Yes, if you need help speak to your subject tutor about extra sessions.

If you’re thinking of continuing your education at Furness College, then getting your hands on some much-needed cash is going to be high on your list of priorities.

If you think you may not be able to afford to study, there are a number of ways you may be able to get help. General advice is given here but the rules can change from year to year, so we recommend you follow the links provided to access the most up-to-date information.

Contact Student Services for advice on how to make the most of any financial support available, such as the Student Financial Support 16-19 year old and 19+ which can assist you with childcare, travel, book/equipment costs or course fees and the 24+ loan.

For helpful and friendly advice, you can also contact Student Services on:
T: 01229 844817
E: Student.Services@furness.ac.uk

https://www.furness.ac.uk/being-a-student/financial-support/

If you are experiencing difficulties, you can talk to us confidentially and we will provide the necessary support. We have a counselling service available for students and work closely with external agencies on health and welfare issues.

The college is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all students, staff, Governors and visitors.

Please see our policies for more information.

If you are a Furness College student or apprentice and are experiencing any of the following issues please call our Helpline on 01229-825017 available 09.00-16.00 Monday-Friday

• Finance/Financial Support/Hardship
• Safeguarding
• Family Support
• Mental well being

We are also providing drop-in sessions for those students/apprentices who are dealing with any of these welfare issues.  Available Monday, Wednesday and Fridays 10.00-15.00 from Monday 11 January onwards.

You can apply online now or if you want to ask us a question: https://www.furnessapplications.co.uk/courseenquiry.cfm

Have a look at the courses that interest you and check the entry requirements at the bottom of the course page. If you are unsure on what to apply for, please speak to a teacher/careers advisor/parent or guardian.

What you will need:

• An email address (can be your own or a parent/guardian’s)
• A contact mobile number (preferably your own)
• Your parent/guardian’s email and phone number to add as your emergency contacts
• Your predicted grades and subjects

Lessons are usually an hour.

If you are under 19 and a student at Furness College, you will be supported by a Personal Progress Coach (PPC) who will work closely with the Student Services team. They will help you settle into College life and overcome any difficulties that may arise. They will also keep an eye on your attendance and academic progress and identify if you need any help. Our adult learners will receive pastoral support from their teacher.

Because many of our students are adults we recognize that some of them may not have studied for some time. Some students may therefore be worried about joining a college course or be unsure about which subjects to choose.

We, therefore, provide a number of courses specifically designed to give help and encouragement while at the same time teaching the required skills.

To help you to decide it might be useful to ask yourself the following questions:

• What are my long term career goals?
• What are my interests?
• What subjects do I enjoy?
• What GCSE grades am I likely to achieve?

Discuss your options with your friends, parents/guardians, careers teachers and Inspira advisor. Make the most of attending open evenings and careers events.

If you are undecided, you can apply to both campuses.

As part of your application form, we’d like to know about your career plans and future ambitions. What are you passionate about?

It’s a good idea to chat to your parents/guardians, teachers or Inspira advisor and prepare a short paragraph to submit with your application form.

It’s really easy to complete and submit an application form online or you can alternatively request for a paper copy to be sent to you. If you have any questions about completing your form, please contact Student Services.

You can download our latest prospectus here or phone the college for an informal chat on 01229 825017.

You will be assigned a personal progress mentor who will help you settle in and is available to talk to about any problems.

Lesson times will vary depending on your course, students should consult their timetable for more information, available in the college app!

You are required to wear your lanyard at all times while on campus. If you forget your lanyard you will need to report to reception, where they will issue you with a wristband to wear for that day. If you lose your lanyard the team in Student Services can print a new card and issue a new lanyard.

There may be a cost to replace a card and lanyard if multiple replacements are required.

You need a file for your work, pen, pencil and a writing pad plus a calculator if you are doing mathematical subjects. Plus you’ll need lunch money or packed lunch.

Firstly, don’t panic! There’s a course available for everyone at Furness College – not attaining your expected GCSE grades does not mean your offer to study has been withdrawn. You may be asked to attend an advice session, to discuss whether pursuing your selected course is the right choice for you, or if another course might suit you better in light of your recent results.

When you apply, your application will be acknowledged and an interview date provided. You will be informed of the outcome of your interview after your interview date. If successful in your first choice of course, you will be notified by letter.

If not, you will be invited back to find an alternative. Some courses will depend on your GCSE results, particularly in Maths and English, and entry requirements can be found on the course pages of our website. Our Student Services team offers impartial advice and can help you choose the course that is right for you.

T: 01229 825017

E: info@furness.ac.uk

There will be a period between 12 and 2pm on your timetable for lunch. The canteen is open from 8.30am and has a range of daily specials such as sweet and sour chicken, a burger bar, sandwiches and snacks.

Snacks, meals and drinks can be purchased from the cafes at Channelside and Sixth Form campuses. These are open from 8.30am – 1.30pm during term times.

There are also vending machines for snacks and drinks and water fountains around each campus.

Elaine McAteer in Student Services can help on 01229 844826. Bus timetables are on the Stagecoach website. and train timetables can be found here.

There are many reasons to study at Furness College. Furness College was judged to be a GOOD college by Ofsted in March 2019, with GOOD grades in all five main judgement areas of:

GOOD – Overall Effectiveness
GOOD – Effectiveness of Leadership and Management
GOOD – Outcomes for Learners
GOOD – Quality of Teaching, Learning and Assessment
GOOD – Personal Development, Behaviour and Welfare

It also received an excellent Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) report in February 2016 for its higher education provision where it was commended for its student enhancement activities. In August 2016, the College merged successfully with Barrow Sixth Form College, forming the largest college in Cumbria. It was also one of the first four providers nationally to become a member of the newly formed Chartered Institution for Further Education.

You don’t have to go to university, although you’ll have the chance to apply. Many of our students successfully secure Higher Apprenticeships and apprenticeships with improved career prospects after coming to college.