Here, you’ll find all the information you need for a smooth and successful enrolment.  

Accrington and Rossendale College is proud to be Ofsted Outstanding once again. We’re committed to helping you make progress in a way that works for you. 

Enrolment Dates and Times

If you’ve already applied, you should have received your enrolment appointment details in the post. Your enrolment letter can be expected from Friday 8th August. If you haven’t applied yet, don’t worry we are enrolling DAILY from Thursday 21st August. Remember to bring a copy of your GCSE results or prior qualifications to complete your enrolment.


Thursday 21st – Friday 22nd August:

  • Thursday 21st August (GCSE Results Day) – 9am – 7pm
  • Friday 22nd August – 10am – 4pm


Monday 25th – Friday 29th August:

  • Monday 25th August – CLOSED FOR BANK HOLIDAY
  • Tuesday 26th August – 9.30am – 4pm
  • Wednesday 27th August – 9.30am – 4pm
  • Thursday 28th August – 9.30am – 4pm
  • Friday 29th August – 9.30am – 4pm

Monday 1st September onwards:   

  • Please note that all classes commence from Monday 1st September
  • Late enrolment takes place daily from 10am – 3pm. Please note that some courses maybe full so we advise you to enrol earlier if possible. 

Unable to Attend In-Person?

If you’re unable to enrol in person, please contact us via email at admissions@nelsongroup.ac.uk with your name, date of birth and date you can enrol and we can update your record.

Have Questions About Enrolment?

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below. If your question isn’t answered, feel free to contact us:

Phone: 01282 440200

Email: admissions@nelsongroup.ac.uk


Enrolment Checklist: What do I need to bring with me?

  • Your GCSE results and proof of any other qualifications and/or exam results. These are really important as you can’t enrol without them.
  • Details of your emergency contact – you will need their name, email address and phone number.
  • Evidence of your household income if applying for financial support for travel and kit.
  • If you don’t think you are eligible for financial support, please bring a credit or debit card to pay for travel and kit if required.
  • Details of any medical conditions you have.
  • A smile for your ID badge 😊

What Happens at my Enrolment Appointment?

Step 1: Arrive!

Arrive at Main Reception (Sandy Lane) for your enrolment appointment.

Step 2: Speak to Curriculum Staff

Our Curriculum Staff will be on hand on enrolment day to answer any questions you may have about your chosen courses or College life. They will ask you to check your personal details and will ask for further information if required so we can sign you up to your course, and give  you your first day details. If you require advice or help from our Learning Support or Safeguarding Teams, they will be available to discuss any issues or questions you may have.

Step 3: Confirm your Enrolment

Here we will ask you to sign your Learner Agreement and you will get any information you need for your first day in September.

Step 4: Sign up for your Bus Pass

You may need a bus pass to travel to College. At enrolment, we will help you to sign up for the correct pass.

Step 5: Congratulations!

You are now a student at our Outstanding College! We look forward to welcoming you in September.


Not completed your application yet?

Don’t worry please visit Apply | Nelson and Colne College Group to secure your place today* (please select which college you wish to study at)

*subject to meeting the course eligibility criteria 


Frequently Asked Questions

16-18

What happens if I do not receive the results I need for my chosen course?

If you have not achieved the results you need for your chosen course, do not worry. We will provide you with advice and guidance on your Enrolment Day and help you to find an appropriate alternative course. 

What happens if I need to re-sit my GCSE Maths and/or English exams?  

If you need to re-sit your Maths and English to improve your grades, a tutor will provide appropriate advice and guidance on this when you enrol.

I have not yet had my college interview, what happens now?  

If you have applied to the College and have not yet had an interview, then do not worry. Your interview will take place with one of our friendly tutors on the day you enrol. 

I have not completed my application to study at Accrington and Rossendale College Group yet. Am I too late?

No, not at all! You can complete this on the day at the College or you can get ahead and do this online at  https://portal.mis.nelsongroup.ac.uk Remember you need to bring your GCSEs with you. 

I have applied to study at Accrington and Rossendale College but want to change my choice of study programme. How do I do this?

That is fine. If you have applied, but changed your mind about the course you want to study from September, you simply need to inform our Admissions Team by phoning 01282 440272 or emailing admissions@nelsongroup.ac.uk. Or you can change your course when you attend your enrolment appointment. 

During Enrolment – You will be able to do this when you come to college to enrol. Our team will make this change for you when we check your personal details. 

What happens when I have completed the enrolment process?  

Once you have completed the enrolment process, you will be given details of your first day. 

APPRENTICESHIP

I have applied for an Apprenticeship but have not secured employment. What happens now?  

Rest assured that our team will do everything they can to help you secure employment, but if this cannot happen before September, we are pleased to be able to offer you a place on a suitable College programme aligned to your career aims. If you have already secured an apprenticeship vacancy with an employer, that’s great news! Please let the admissions team know on the details below and we will update our records. 

If you have any further questions, simply email admissions@nelsongroup.ac.uk or call us on 01282 440200. 

BURSARY

What is a bursary? 

Our bursary is financial assistance provided by the college to help support you in your studies. The bursary fund will cover a number of costs to help you with your learning, including travel, food, kit, trips and equipment. 

How do I apply for a bursary ? 

To apply for bursary support, you need to visit https://nelson.paymystudent.com and click on the ‘Sign in with Microsoft’ button. Enter your college login details and complete all parts of the form. Before submitting please ensure you have agreed to and signed the declaration. Once complete, click ‘submit’. Please note you won’t be able to apply for this until you have completed your enrolment. I’m 

If you require assistance to create your application please visit us at student services. 

Can I apply for the bursary if I am an Apprentice? 

Unfortunately, there are no bursaries for Apprentices. If you experience financial hardship, please discuss with your Training and Development Coach. 

Where do I find my login details? 

Log in details will be given to students once their enrolment is complete.

What evidence do I need to provide? 

If you or your parents/guardians are in receipt of any of the benefits listed below, you will need to upload the following benefits: 

Benefit/AwardProof
Working/Child Tax CreditAll pages of Tax Credit Award Notice showing upcoming annual income
Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)All pages of most recent JSA document showing weekly/monthly payments – dated within 12 months
Income SupportAll pages of most recent Income Support document showing weekly/monthly payments – dated within 12 months
Income Related Employment Support Allowance (ESA)All pages of most recent ESA document showing weekly/monthly payments – dated within 12 months
Universal Credit3 most recent statements, no screen shots

If you or your parents/guardians are in employment we will need to see one of the following: 

  • 3 months wage slips plus any benefit payments 
  • 3 most recent Universal Credit Statements (showing income) 
  • P60 (for 2024/2025) plus any additional benefit payments 
  • SA302 form (showing income from self-employment) 

 

What can I do if I have no evidence to show household income? 

If you have no evidence of household income please contact student services and we will consider your individual circumstances. 

Will I be entitled to a free bus pass? 

If your household income is less than £37,500, we will provide you with a free Transdev bus pass. This is a digital pass, which can be download on your mobile phone via the Transdev app. This pass can be used at any time, including evenings, weekends, holidays. 

A subsidised bus pass is also available to all full time 16-18-year-old students whose annual household income exceeds £37,500. 

I am 19+, what will the bursary cover for me? 

If you are 19+ and do not have an EHCP you can apply for our bursary to help with the following- 

  • Childcare costs. You will also need to complete a childcare form, which can be collected from student services 
  • Travel costs. Full time students may be eligible for a termly bus pass and part time student,  you may be eligible for travel refunds. 
  • Kit and equipment (on specific courses only) 

Please note for 19+ learners, your bursary application will not be approved until all outstanding fees are resolved 

Is the bus pass digital or a physical card? 

All our bus passes are digital. You will need access to a smartphone/device with the Transdev Go app downloaded.  

What bus passes are available? 

We provide three termly bus passes per academic year. The Transdev termly Lancashire and Blackburn bus passes cover a wide geographical area including:

  • Burnley
  • Blackburn
  • Clitheroe
  • Colne

There are a number of additional bus services which operate in the Accrington Area from the Pilkington Bus Company.

Will I be entitled to Free College Meals? 

To qualify for Free College Meals, your household must receive one of the below mentioned benefits: 

  • Job Seekers Allowance 
  • Employment Support Allowance 
  • Universal Credit (Unemployed) 
  • Universal Credit (last 3 months statements showing less than £7400 a year in take home pay) 
  • Child Tax Credit only under £16,190 
  • Protected Free School Meals (Students who had free meals at High School) 

How will I know if I have been approved? 

Once you have completed your application, it will need to be assessed by our Student Services team. We will send an email to your College account to let you know if your application has been successful and list your entitlement. We will also be in touch if we need any more information or evidence from you.  

I am moving to my second year. Will I need to apply again? 

All continuing and progressing learners need to re-apply each academic year for financial assistance. Your application will not be carried over, as we require up to date evidence in case your financial circumstances have changed. 

Who can I contact if I need any help or for more information? 

For any support or guidance with your bursary application, you can contact our Student Services team by emailing studentservices@nelsongroup.ac.uk or by calling them on the following numbers: 

Nelson and Colne College: 01282 440209 

Accrington and Rossendale College: 01254 354143 

Do I have to purchase any clothing or equipment for my course before starting in September? 

Some of our courses require specialist equipment which should be ordered during or after enrolment. Please do not purchase any items before you enrol. More information can be found in your enrolment guide, which has been sent to all our applicants.  

If I do not plan on driving or walking to college, what other travel options are available to me? 

We offer a wide range of direct bus services to ensure you can get to college easily and flexibly. Subsidised bus travel is available for all our 16-18-year-old students and our Transdev bus passes include unlimited weekend and evening travel. Students are also encouraged to cycle to college where possible. More information can be found in your enrolment guide, which has been sent to all our applicants. Our Student Services Team will also be available on enrolment day for advice and guidance.  

LEARNING SUPPORT/SAFEGUARDING 

I will require Additional Learning Support when I start College. Do I need to let anybody know in advance?  

If you have a learning difficulty or disability and need some extra support with your studies or access arrangements, you may be eligible for Additional Learning Support. If you have not already notified the College, or included details on your application form, please contact the Learning Support Team by emailing als.arc@nelsongroup.ac.uk. Our Learning Support Team will be available for enrolment day to discuss any learning support needs. 

I am anxious about starting College in September. Is there anybody I can speak to? 

We understand that now is a surreal time for all our applicants and students, and we are here to help and support every step of the way. If you have any concerns about starting College at this time you can contact our Health and Wellbeing Team by emailing health@nelsongroup.ac.uk

I have a query about my application, who can I contact? 

The Admissions Team is available to speak to daily either by phoning 01282 440272 or emailing admissions@nelsongroup.ac.uk