Consent Preferences

Enrolment Frequently Asked Questions

Get the answers you need in one place with our easy-to-use FAQs. Our enrolment FAQs are designed to give you clear information, helpful advice, and make you feel more confident about your next steps.

Find out everything you need to know about the different areas of enrolment, including:
 

Event information:

Yes, you can bring one person with you to enrol. We are limiting numbers to only one additional person to control visitor numbers during events.

We aim to make the enrolment process as smooth and efficient as possible, but please be aware that we have high volumes of students enrolling for September 2026, so the process could take around 2 hours during busy periods.

16-18 year old students:
  • The original copy of your statement of results from school that includes your Unique Learner Number (ULN)
  • A form of ID (driving license/passport/National Insurance number letter/birth certificate/bank card)
  • Two parent/guardian or emergency contact details (email address and mobile number) if not already provided
 
Adult students:
  • National Insurance number
  • Any benefit evidence to fund a course or low wage evidence (benefit evidence and payslips must be dated within the last 3 months)
  • ID (passport, driving license, bank card or exam certificate)
  • If you are paying for your course in instalments, you will need to bring your bank details
  • If employer is paying for your course, you will need a PO number and letter as proof of payment
  • If you will be applying for an Advanced Learner Loan, you will need your birth certificate or passport
  • If you are enrolling on a Higher Education course, you will need to bring proof of any prior qualifications relevant to the entry requirements (e.g. GSCEs, A-Levels/Level 3 qualifications or any other Higher Education qualifications)
  • Asylum or refugee residency card (ARC) or share code
  • For non-UK citizens – evidence of pre-settled or settled status, or share codes for immigration status (not right to work)

If you cannot find proof of previous qualifications, please contact your previous education provider to ask for a letter confirming your qualification and grade. If you then still cannot access this, please still come along to your enrolment event and you can discuss this with our curriculum staff.

We are required to take your photograph for your student ID badge when you enrol. This will be either when you enrol or during your induction, depending on whether you are a new or progressing student.

Student ID badges will be issued either when you enrol on campus, or during your induction.

Many of our courses are expected to fill quickly this year. If possible, we recommend booking an enrolment slot during our main enrolment period to give yourself the best chance to secure your place on your chosen course, because waiting until our late enrolment period could mean that your preferred course is no longer available. If you are unable to attend any of the scheduled enrolment events, we will be offering late enrolment events to accommodate those who cannot make it to the initial sessions.  
 
Please submit your details via this form to receive information on later drop-in enrolment opportunities.
To help make enrolment more accessible and comfortable, we have a limited number of Quiet Enrolment Slots before the main enrolment sessions begin.
 
These sessions are intended primarily for students whose additional needs, disabilities, learning difficulties, sensory sensitivities, or other support requirements mean they would benefit from a quieter and less busy enrolment environment.
 
If you feel a Quiet Enrolment Slot would be beneficial, please contact the Learning Support Team via Learning.Support@educationpartnershipne.ac.uk. They will discuss your needs and, where appropriate, book you onto one of the available quiet sessions.
 
Please note:
Quiet Enrolment Slots are available in limited numbers as part of a trial.
 
These sessions take place one hour before the main enrolment period starts.
 
Slots are not automatically offered or included in enrolment communications.
 
Booking is required in advance through the Learning Support Team.
 
Availability is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
As places are limited, we ask that Quiet Enrolment Slots are reserved for students who have a genuine need for a quieter enrolment experience due to additional support needs or individual circumstances.

Please still come along to your enrolment event where our specialist team will be able to offer valuable guidance on your next steps and course options.

If you want to change the course you have applied for, you can discuss this at your enrolment event. Even if the course you wish to change to is at a different campus, all enrolment events in August are happening at our Bede Campus, so you will still need to attend an event at our Bede Campus.

You will be advised at enrolment if your course requires you to have a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check and what documents/identification you will need to bring with you when you start your course to process your application if this is needed.
 
A DBS check is largely for courses where work placements are necessary.

Uniform and equipment:

If your course requires kit, you will need to order it via iPay.
 
Once you are enrolled (within two working days of being enrolled on our college system once your enrolment form has been processed), your parent/guardian listed on your enrolment form will receive an email with information on how to register for an iPay account.
 
Once logged in, go to the Shop, select your campus and required kit, and choose either the Bursary or Non-Bursary option. You do not need to select sizes at this stage.
 
If you have applied for financial support but are awaiting the outcome, you can still select the Bursary option. If your application is unsuccessful, the college will issue an invoice for the cost of the kit after your bursary assessment has been completed (this can take up to eight weeks).
 
Your kit will be available to collect from your curriculum area during Induction Week, where you will be able to try items on to ensure correct sizing. If you enrol after Induction Week, please speak to your tutor, who will arrange collection at a later date.
 
To collect your kit, you must show your iPay order confirmation or receipt. If you are unable to provide this, please speak to your tutor, who can arrange for a parent or carer to email confirmation on your behalf.
 
If you have not received your Linkey email, please scan the QR code available in campus reception areas, catering outlets, and curriculum areas to submit your details (under 18s must use a parent or carer email address).
All uniforms/kits must be ordered via iPay. Once you are enrolled (typically within two working days of enrolling on our college system once your enrolment form has been processed)), an email will be sent with instructions on how to register for iPay.
 
  • If you are aged 16–18, the email will be sent to the parent/guardian listed on your enrolment form
  • If you are aged 19 or over, the email will be sent directly to you

iPay is the college's cashless catering/online payment system, this system is used to allow top-up of funds to be used in all catering outlets and to also purchase kits, the college are hoping to offer more through the platform going forward.

You will be contacted using the details provided at enrolment. Within two working days of enrolling, an email will be sent by the college containing registration instructions and a unique Linkey code to complete the registration process.
 
For students under the age of 18, a parent or carer's email address must be provided at enrolment, and the registration details will be sent to that email address.
 
Students aged 18 or over will receive the registration details directly to the personal email address provided on their enrolment form.
Log in to iPay and access the Shop section.
 
From there, select the relevant campus and the kit required for your course. You will then need to choose either the Bursary or Non-Bursary option.
 
The Bursary option is for students who are receiving financial support that covers the cost of their kit. If you select this option, you will not be required to make a payment when placing your order.
 
If you have applied for financial support but have not yet received the outcome of your application, you may still select the Bursary option. This will allow you to order your kit without making an initial payment. However, if your financial support application is unsuccessful, you will be invoiced for the cost of the kit.
Order the required kit through iPay. At this stage, you do not need to provide any size information.
 
When you collect your kit, you will have the opportunity to try on items and confirm the correct sizes before receiving your order.

Your kit will be available to try on before collection within your course area. Please ensure you check that all items are the correct size before taking your kit away.

Your kit will be available to collect from your curriculum area during Induction Week.
 
If you enrol late and are unable to collect your kit during Induction Week, please speak to your tutor, who will make arrangements for you to collect it at a later date.
 
To collect your kit, you will need to show your tutor proof of your order, whether this was placed through the Bursary or Non-Bursary option. If a parent or guardian places the order on your behalf, please ensure they provide you with a copy of the order confirmation or receipt, as this will be required when collecting your kit.
You will need to show your iPay order confirmation or receipt when collecting your kit. Unfortunately, kits cannot be issued without proof of purchase.
 
If you are unable to provide your receipt at the time of collection, please speak to your tutor, who can arrange for a parent or carer to email a copy of the order confirmation to verify your purchase.
If you order your kit using the Bursary option and your bursary application is not approved, the college will issue an invoice for the full cost of the kit.
 
Please note that bursary applications can take up to eight weeks to be assessed. Any invoices relating to unsuccessful bursary applications will be issued once the assessment process has been completed.

If you have not received an email with your Linkey, please scan the QR code available in campus reception areas, catering outlets, and curriculum areas to submit your details.

Please note: If you are under 18, a parent or carer’s email address must be provided when completing the form.

Travel and financial support:

For information on bursaries, free meals and travel expenses, click here.

If you have already applied to study with us, you should receive information on this via email, including a link to our financial support application form, which you can also find here.

Course payment information (adult and Higher Education courses):

Some of our adult courses may require a fee. If you’re unable to cover the cost of this up front we offer a range of options to help you pay for your course depending on your circumstances.
 
To find out more about funding for your course and the financial assistance available, click here.
As a full-time or part-time Higher Education student at Sunderland College, you don't have to pay any tuition fees up front.
 
Instead, you can take out a tuition fee loan from Student Loans Company. This loan will only need to be paid back once you've completed your course and only when you start earning over £25,000* a year (*2026/27). You can find out more information about applying for a Higher Education student loan on the Student Loans Company website.
 
Alternatively, if your employer is paying for your course, you will need to bring a Purchase Order number and a letter from your employer as proof of payment.
16-18 year-old students:
If you are 16-18 years old, you do not have to pay for your course. However, you may require a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check (largely for courses where work placements are necessary). You will be advised if you need this and advised on what documents/identification you will need to bring with you to process your application when you start your course.
 
For some courses, you will need to wear a uniform, similar to those that you'd wear in the workplace. For other subjects, you may need personal protection equipment (PPE). If applicable, you will be provided with all information you will need including how to order and where to order from at enrolment, or you can find our uniform and kit FAQs here. (TO ADD WHEN PAGE MADE)
 
All students will need a well-stocked pencil case and stationery. 
Full details of what you will need for the start of term will be confirmed during your enrolment or induction. Bursaries to help pay for equipment may be available to you depending on your personal circumstances. for more information, click here.
 
Adult and Higher Education students (19 years and above):
Some of our adult courses may require a fee. If you’re unable to cover the cost of this up front we offer a range of options to help you pay for your course depending on your circumstances.
 
To find out more about funding for your course and the financial assistance available, click here.
You may be eligible to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan (ALL) to help with the costs of your course if you're aged 19 and over studying a vocational, technical or professional qualification at Sunderland College (to find out more about Advanced Learner Loans, visit the government website here).
 
To apply for an ALL, you will need a Learning and Funding Information email from the college. Relevant applicants will receive this in July 2026 - please check your junk folder for this email. If you are already enrolled, please email welfare@educationpartnershipne.ac.uk/contact student services.
 
If you are eligible, and your chosen course can be funded using an Advanced Learner Loan, please ensure you have applied for this before coming in to enrol.
If you have applied for your chosen course, received a Learning and Funding letter and are planning to fund your course with an Advanced Learner Loan, then we would recommend applying for your loan before your enrolment event. If you have not applied, or are unable to apply for your loan prior to enrolling, you will need to speak to a member of our Finance team at your enrolment event and they will advise you on next steps.
 
All students intending to use an Advanced Learner Loan to pay for their course are liable for the course fees until an approved loan is in place.

For information on bursaries, free meals and travel expenses, click here.

If you have already applied to study with us, you should receive information on this via email, including a link to our financial support application form, which you can also find here.

If your employer is paying for your course, you will need to bring a Purchase Order number and a letter from your employer as proof of payment.

You will be advised at enrolment if your course requires you to have a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check and what documents/identification you will need to bring with you when you start your course to process your application if this is needed.
 
A DBS check is largely for courses where work placements are necessary.

Learning support/additional needs support:

If you have an additional support need or a health related problem, please contact the inclusive learning team via Learningsupport@educationpartnershipne.ac.uk.
To help make enrolment more accessible and comfortable, we have a limited number of Quiet Enrolment Slots before the main enrolment sessions begin.
 
These sessions are intended primarily for students whose additional needs, disabilities, learning difficulties, sensory sensitivities, or other support requirements mean they would benefit from a quieter and less busy enrolment environment.
 
If you feel a Quiet Enrolment Slot would be beneficial, please contact the Learning Support Team via Learning.Support@educationpartnershipne.ac.uk. They will discuss your needs and, where appropriate, book you onto one of the available quiet sessions.
 
Please note: Quiet Enrolment Slots are available in limited numbers as part of a trial.
 
These sessions take place one hour before the main enrolment period starts.
 
Slots are not automatically offered or included in enrolment communications.
 
Booking is required in advance through the Learning Support team.
 
Availability is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
As places are limited, we ask that Quiet Enrolment Slots are reserved for students who have a genuine need for a quieter enrolment experience due to additional support needs or individual circumstances.

Returning students:

Information for our returning students can be found here.

Start of term:

Full course timetables will be given out when you start your course. You will receive your start date when you come along to enrol, please ensure you make a note of the details of your first session when you are given them - you should also be sent an email confirming these details sent to the address used on your enrolment form.

All newly enrolled students will be given information when they enrol that will detail the course start date, where to report to on the first day and what to bring with them.
 
All progressing students will be sent an email in August containing the details of their first session back of the new academic year. This will be sent to their personal email address used on their student record.

You will receive an email notification for how to activate your iPay account when you start college. This will be sent to your email address and will include a unique reference. You will be able to use card and cash for food/drink on campus if your card isn't activated straight away.

You will need to go to the reception desk at the campus where you will be studying at 9am on your first day of return.
 
If you are not enrolled, and are unable to attend any of the scheduled enrolment events, don't worry. We will be offering late enrolment events to accommodate those who cannot make it to the initial sessions.  
 
Please submit your details via this form to receive information on later drop-in enrolment opportunities.

If you would like to change the course you have enrolled onto, please re-book an enrolment event so you can come along to discuss this.

Applicable students will be able to request a Certification Letter from their campus reception after they have enrolled. Unfortunately, we can’t provide this before enrolment.

Student ID badges will be issued either when you enrol, or during your induction.

If you are a newly enrolled student, you may not yet have to your college Microsoft Teams account, you should receive all the relevant information at your enrolment event, including the details of your first session.

You should also receive an email confirming this information before the start of term. You will be told how to acces your college accounts during induction.

ESOL:

We currently have a waiting list for our ESOL courses, please click here to find out more about our Adult course and enquire to join the wait list, or click here to find out more about our 16-18 ESOL course.

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