Applicant Journey to HNC

From attending an open event to your induction, here’s a step by step guide of your journey as an applicant to HNC.

September 2025

1. Ensure you have a plan – speak to your careers advisors and get organised
2. Now is the time to get into good habits. Attend well, be punctual, stay engaged with your lessons and work hard – everything you do in Year 11 will determine what you will be offered at your admissions interview

October – November 2025

1. Join us for one of our open events – not only will this help to inform your post-16 subject choices, it also allows you to experience life at HNC
2. This is a good time to research the entry criteria for your preferred courses and most appropriate pathway – you will be offered a place at HNC based on your predicted, or reference, grades
3. Apply for your place – our application window opens Friday 10 October 2025

December 2025

1. Remember applications to join HNC in 2026 close on Friday 12 December

February – March 2026

1. Your College admissions evening will take place in March on either Tuesday 3 March and Thursday 12 March; we’ll contact you with a date and time once we have received your application and it has been reviewed. Remember, you need to check your email regularly as this is how you’ll hear from us. You can learn more about what happens at an Admissions Evening here

April 2026

1. Friday 24 April is the deadline to accept your place post interview. Please note any offers that are not accepted are withdrawn and cannot be reissued under any circumstances. It is important to note that you can accept a place at more than one College if you need more time to make a final decision

May – June 2026

1. You’ll be working hard on your GCSE exams!
2. After your GCSE exams finish, we’ll contact you about HNC @ Home. Here you’ll be able to take part in activities to help prepare you for your step up to College and Level 3 study

July 2026

1. Join the welcome event, Hudd Fest, on Friday 10 July 2026
2. Complete your pre-enrolment task and upload your photo to CEDAR for your membership badge
3. Toward the end of the month we’ll send out details on how to enrol. Please note that enrolment at HNC takes place online

August 2026

1. Collect your GCSE results!
2. Upload your GCSE results to CEDAR and complete the online enrolment registration form by 4:30pm on Thursday 20 August- details on how to do this will be sent to you ahead of GCSE results day. You do not need to attend this in person
3. Be available by phone between Thursday 20 August and Friday 28 August in case we need to discuss your enrolment with you
4. Our compulsory Induction Day will take place – we look forward to welcoming you!

September 2026

1. You’ll be thriving in your classes!