Full-time Courses
Applying for a place on a full-time course at North East Scotland College couldn’t be easier!
How to apply for a full-time course
You can apply for a course with us at the same time as applying to other colleges or universities, and all you have to do is submit a completed application form — online or on paper.
There is lots of useful information on our application process below. We have also produced a handy step by step guide which overviews our application process.
Where can I find course information?
Course information is available in the Courses section of the website or in the College’s Full-time Prospectus.
We want you to be successful in achieving your qualification, so it’s very important to consider which level of study is most applicable to you: Introductory, Non-advanced or Advanced.
Find out more about course levels
Remember, don’t leave it too late to apply!
Some courses are in very high demand, so you may not be offered a place on your first choice of course. In the unfortunate circumstance that we are unable to offer you a place, you will be put on a waiting list and we’ll keep in touch. There are always people who change their mind and places can become available throughout the summer, even on high demand courses.
Online Applications
We encourage online applications wherever possible – to start the process, just select the Apply Online button against the location that best suits you of your chosen course. If you apply online you will receive an acknowledgement within 24 hours. If you don’t receive an email then please check your junk mail box, or contact the Student Advice Centre.
Paper Applications
If you wish to apply using a paper application, simply complete all of the required information and return your application to the College using the address noted on the form. You will receive a letter acknowledging your application. If you have not heard within 10 working days please contact the Student Advice Centre. If for some reason we are unable to process your course application, we will contact you directly.
The Application Form
You will be asked a number of questions when completing you application, such as:
- If you are a UK National and have lived in Scotland all your life: This helps us determine what your eligibility might be for course fees and funding.
- Address and contact details: This is so we can contact you with important information about your application.
- Qualifications you have or are working towards: This is so we can determine whether the course you are applying for is at the appropriate level for you.
- ‘Tell us your story so far’: This is so that you can – in your own words – tell us a bit about yourself!
Please ensure that you list all your qualifications and any information that you feel is relevant to your application. Failure to provide all information requested will hold up the application process, as your application will have to be returned to you.
You will also be asked about whether you are care experienced, or have responsibilities as a young carer, and whether or not you require childcare and/or transport to College (Fraserburgh Campus only), so that we are aware of your circumstances and can provide adequate support. In addition, you will be asked to complete a short Equal Opportunities Monitoring questionnaire – this is so we can ensure that no individual is discriminated against on the grounds of age, gender, ethnic origin, disability, relationship status and religion or belief.
‘Tell us your story so far’
This section is not mandatory.
However, should you wish to add something to support your application. We recommend that you prepare something in advance, then simply paste it into the application form. This will allow you to use a spell–checker and avoid the page timing out if it takes more than 20 minutes to enter your statement.
It’s your chance to show what makes you unique. It’s particularly important for courses that are popular and attract more applicants than places and where you will have to convince the course selection panel that you are the best applicant.
Any questions?
If you can’t decide which course is best for you, please make an appointment with one of our Student Advisers:
Student Advice Centre
Telephone: 01224 612330 (Aberdeen City Campus);
01224 612704 (Aberdeen Altens Campus);
01346 586163 (Fraserburgh Campus)
Email: enquiry@nescol.ac.uk
Interview invitation
After applying for your course, you will receive an email or letter confirming your application. In some cases we may be able to make you an offer straight away, however we may also require you to provide us with some additional information or to attend an interview with us. Once we have received your application, we aim to contact you within 6 weeks to let you know the next stage. If we require further information, we will send you instructions on what we need you to do next. For certain courses this could include submitting a portfolio, an audition piece or completing a questionnaire to provide us with information to ensure we can make you an offer on the most suitable course/level.
If we invite you to attend an interview, you will be sent an email or letter requesting that you book an interview appointment. If you applied online, please check your junk email folder in case any emails have gone there.
Interviews are organised by teaching teams and you can choose a date and time which is convenient to you. Interviews may take place in person on campus or online. This may be a group session with other applicants, a one-to-one conversation or both.
Please don’t worry about your interview! It’s more of an informal chat so our curriculum staff can find out if the course you have applied for is the best option for you. It’s also a chance for
you to ask questions about the course
and studying at NESCol.
Once you have booked your appointment we will confirm this and provide you with information on where to attend or provide a link to join the interview online.
If you find you are no longer able to attend after booking an interview, please contact centraladmin@nescol.ac.uk to rearrange. It is important to confirm an interview date/time as soon as possible as offers are subject to availability. Please note that failure to attend your selected interview date and time may lead to your application being withdrawn.
Attend your Interview
If any information is sent to you about your interview, please ensure you read it carefully. Many interviews are group interviews, so you will meet some of the other applicants who are hoping to join the course.
Interviews may take place online via Teams or Collaborate, by telephone, or in-person on campus.
Please note that evidence of prior work experience may be especially relevant for those who do not meet the entry requirements for the course they are applying for, and are therefore relying on previous relevant work experience to gain entry. It is also relevant for those who must evidence a certain number of volunteering hours to gain entry to their course.
Please note that failure to attend your selected interview date and time may lead to your application being withdrawn.
After your interview
After the interview, the College will decide whether to offer you a place on the course, and which type of offer you will receive within 10 working days.
You will be notified whether or not your application was successful. When you receive your offer you must accept or reject your offer within 10 working days – failure to do so may lead to your application being withdrawn.
If your application has been unsuccessful, you will be advised on your next steps.
Conditional Offer
A Conditional Offer means you must satisfy the conditions set out in your offer in order to gain a place.
Full Offer (Unconditional)
A Full Offer means you can join the course with your existing qualifications and there are no conditions attached to your offer.
Full offers
Once the College is in a position to make you a full offer, you will receive a letter confirming this. At the bottom of the letter you will find a tear-off slip. You should complete this and return it to the College to confirm whether or not you are accepting your place on the course within two weeks – failure to do so may mean that your place is lost.
The next step is to attend an induction session. Once dates are available, they will be listed on the College website.
Conditional Offers and Exam Results
You will be sent a Conditional Offer confirming what conditions you must meet and who to contact once you receive your exam results. If you receive this type of offer you must accept or reject the offer within two weeks – failure to do so may mean that your place is lost.
- If you pass your exams and meet the conditions of the offer you must phone the number given in the letter.
- If you do not meet the conditions in the letter we ask you to phone Central Admin on 01224 612301.
In all cases applicants need to email a copy of their results to centraladmin@nescol.ac.uk as teaching teams require proof of qualifications before changing an offer from conditional to full.
Please remember, you may still be considered for a place if you have not achieved what was required if you have a marginal fail, or we may be able to offer you a place on an alternative course.
Once you receive an offer, either conditional or full, you will also receive an email inviting you to make your funding application. Please follow the instructions, and apply as early as you can to ensure that your payments are set up from the start of the College year.
Student Smart Card
Once you receive a full offer, you will receive an email within 4 weeks inviting you to upload a photo so that a Student Smart Card can be produced.
Cards will only be issued once you have enrolled at college but this will help us to have them ready as soon as possible. Cards take up to 3 weeks to produce once we have authorised your photo, so please ensure that you apply as soon as possible and closely follow photo guidelines to ensure that your card is approved first time and ready for when you start College.
The card will give you access to services in College and should be carried with you whenever you attend College. If you are aged 26 or under the student smart card is your Young Scot Card. You may also receive discounts from retailers when you show your student smart card.
North East Scotland College offers a wide range of learning support to students who have additional learning or support requirements including physical or sensory impairments; Autistic Spectrum Disorder; specific learning difficulties such as Dyslexia; physical, medical or mental health conditions; being a young carer; and being looked after or a care leaver.
If you think you may need additional support in College, we would encourage you to contact us as soon as possible to allow us to consider how we can support you, should you be accepted on to your course. Contact us by calling or dropping into your local Student Advice Centre, or by emailing studentadvice@nescol.ac.uk.
Don’t worry! If you are unsure about the course you have applied for and require further information, have changed your mind and want to apply for a different course, or if you wish to withdraw your application altogether, then please contact the Student Advice Centre. Contact us by calling or dropping into your local Student Advice Centre, or by emailing studentadvice@nescol.ac.uk.
North East Scotland College welcomes students from across the world, many choosing to study within our English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) department. However, we have international students studying in curriculum areas across the College.
The College offers a wide range of support to those from another country, who are choosing to study at NESCol. This includes advice on how to choose a course, any relevant English language requirements for your chosen course, and general information on living and studying in Scotland.
Useful information
Our Application Process
Student Advice Centres
Your Induction
