If you’re in Year 11 and thinking about what comes after school, now is the time to start planning. Applications to Barnfield College officially open after October half-term, and our brand-new course offer for September 2027 will be published on our website very soon.
School Leavers - How
to secure your place
for September 2027
There are two simple ways to secure a conditional offer of a place with us. Choose the one that works best for you.
1. Come to an Open Day
Our open days are a great way to explore everything we offer, meet our tutors and get your application sorted, all in one visit.
- Explore our courses. Chat to tutors, see our facilities and find the course that’s right for you.
- Get your offer ticket. Once you’ve found a course you’re happy with, our tutors will issue you with a conditional offer of a place and give you an offer ticket.
- Apply on the day. Head to the application zone on campus to complete your application. It takes around 10 minutes, and you must apply on the day to confirm your offer.
- Receive your conditional offer. Our admissions team will process everything and send you your conditional offer of a place via email.
- Keep up to date. We’ll contact you regularly about all the ways you can learn more about college life and start getting ready for September.
2. Course Introduction Meetings (CIM)
Can’t make an open day? No problem. Apply online for the course or courses you’re interested in, and we’ll invite you to a course introduction meeting.
These group meetings start in early 2027 and take place on weekday evenings. You and a parent or carer will join other potential students to hear from course tutors about your course and find out more about everything college has to offer. You’ll then receive your conditional offer.
Browse Our Courses
Both routes give you the information you need about your chosen course, and both lead to a conditional offer of a place. It’s all about giving you the flexibility to get to know us and bag your offer in a way that suits you.
No interviews, just advice and guidance
We don’t hold interviews for school leaver courses. Our approach is about giving you everything you need to make an informed decision.
We may ask about your interests and future plans to make sure your course matches your goals, but it’s a conversation, not a formal interview. You’re the one making the choice. We’re here to help guide you.
What does a “conditional” offer mean?
Our courses are available at a range of levels, so the grades you achieve in your GCSEs (or other qualifications) will determine your starting point.
For example, most Level 3 qualifications, including T Levels, BTECs, V Levels and A Levels, require GCSE grade 4 or above in English and/or maths. Some courses also have more specific subject requirements.
You’ll find the entry criteria for every course on its course page on our website. Check these carefully and think about which level is right for you based on your predicted grades.
What will we ask when you apply?
Our application form is simple and only asks what we need to support your journey to college, including:
- your personal details and contact information, so we can keep in touch
- the school you currently attend, in case we need a reference
- any support you currently receive at school
- a few other key questions that help us support your move from school to college
We only ask for information that helps us support your application, it’s really important you provide accurate information.
Ready to get started?
The sooner you start, the sooner you can secure your place. Book your open day today and take the first step towards your future at West Herts College.
Our new September 2027 courses will appear after the October half-term