Frequently Asked Questions

There are many differences between studying for A Levels at school and college, and you may not have come across ‘application and enrolment’ before you join us. Here we’ve compiled some of the questions we get asked most often – and the answers:

HOW DO I APPLY FOR A LEVELS?

Our website works in the same way as your favourite online shops. Find the A Level you would like to to apply for and click ‘Apply Online’ to add it to your basket. Repeat for your other A Level choices – we recommend choosing at least three.

Once you’ve applied, we will invite you for an interview. If you’ve also applied for vocational courses, you will be invited for separate interviews for those, in addition to your A Levels interview.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE ONLINE INTERVIEW?

The purpose of the online group interview is: to give you a broad overview of the combinations of A levels we offer, to introduce you to the support and enrichment opportunities that will be available to you, and for you all to gain a flavour of college life with us here at Angel.

WHAT HAPPENS IN MY INTERVIEW?

We use interviews to get to know our students before they join us at City and Islington College, so we can ensure your programme of study is right for you.

Your interview is not a test, so you are not required to carry out revision beforehand. We will expect you to show an interest and enthusiasm for the subjects you want to study and may ask you about the topics you have studied at school, to help us understand which pathways are most appropriate for you.

You will also be asked about your time at school, including your attendance and punctuality record. If you live a long distance from the college, we will discuss this with you to make sure that you have considered how you will manage your journey to us.

At the end of the interview, we will agree a conditional programme of study with you – we will send you an email to confirm what we have discussed.

WHY IS MY INTERVIEW NOT FACE-TO-FACE

We have made the decision to move interview group presentations on-line to make these sessions more accessible to students. Once your GCSE grades have been received you will be invited to a one to one enrolment interview.

You will receive a meeting invite to your interview via MS Teams. On the day/time of your interview (not before) you should click join meeting. You will be able to attend the interview using the MS Teams app or the browser version.

For this meeting, you will not be required to be on camera. We are simply using Microsoft Teams for its broadcasting function. Before you join the interview, you should switch off your camera (but ensure your microphone is on). Your interviewer will switch your camera off should you enter the interview with it switched on.

WHEN WILL MY INTERVIEW BE?

Most of our interviews are held between December and April – we will send you a letter with the exact time and date.

We are currently holding interviews online using Microsoft Teams – we will send you an email with a date and time. On the day/time of your interview (not before!) you should click ‘Join Meeting’. You will be able to attend the interview online through your internet browser – you won’t need to download any additional software. Please turn your camera off – we only need to hear you.

WILL I BE ASKED DIFFICULT QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SUBJECTS I HAVE CHOSEN?

No. Students who attend the group interview are not expected to speak or participate, however as a live event you are given the opportunity to ask questions in the chat. However, at enrolment in August, you will have a detailed discussion about your A level choices and your intended career pathway. In this way we ensure you have made the right choices.

WILL I BE ASKED ABOUT MY SCHOOL RECORD?

No, although you will have a detailed enrolment interview, but this will focus on your combination of subjects and career destination.

I HAVE ADDITIONAL LEARNING NEEDS – WILL THESE BE DISCUSSED AT INTERVIEW?

If you have a particular learning need you will be invited to a separate face to face interview where you can talk to the Additional Learning Support (ALS) team. We want to do everything we can to support your studies at the College and we will need to know what your needs are in order to help you. If you indicated in your application that you have a significant support need you will be interviewed by a specialist from our Inclusive Learning team.

CAN A PARENT/GUARDIAN SIT IN ON THE ONLINE INTERVIEW WITH ME?

Yes. Parents/guardians are welcome to sit in on the online interview, however it is not a requirement.

I HAVE ALSO APPLIED FOR ANOTHER COURSE AT CITY AND ISLINGTON, WILL MY INTERVEW TAKE PLACE AT THE SAME TIME?

If you have applied for another course at the College, you will need to book a separate interview for that course.

I DID NOT ATTEND MY INTERVIEW, CAN I BOOK ANOTHER ONE?

If you were unable to attend your interview, the online session is recorded – please watch the recording using the original TEAMS link you received. Please make sure to log on to MyCollege account to respond to your offer. If you choose to accept your offer, you will be invited to Taster event where you will have the opportunity to talk to teachers about courses and college life.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT THE END OF MY INTERVIEW?

After the online interview, you will receive a conditional offer for your chosen A level subjects via email.

HOW WILL I GET GCSE GRADES WITHOUT EXAMS?

As the government has cancelled exams in Summer 2020, due to Coronavirus (Covid-19), your school will award your GCSE grades based on a variety of evidence.

The government has said that you can sit GCSE exams in the autumn term if you are not satisfied with the awarded grade. At this point in time, we are waiting for further information on what this might look like (i.e. when these exams might take place and what subjects will be offered).

IF YOU MAKE ME A CONDITIONAL OFFER, AM I GUARENTEED A PLACE ON MY CHOSEN A-LEVELS?

Places are conditional on you achieving the required grades at GCSE, places are limited but you are prioritised when you have accepted and met our conditional offer.

I HAVE ACCEPTED MY OFFER, WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?

You will be invited to our Taster events in the first week of July where you will have the opportunity to participate in planned subject specific activities, talk to teachers about courses and college life, and meet other students that will be joining CANDI in September

WHAT IS ENROLMENT AND WHEN DO I ENROL?

Enrolment is the name of the process that allows you to study at CANDI. You will get your ID card, your student login details (for emails, MyDay – our app, which contains all the information you need to study with us) and timetable information.

We usually begin enrolling new students in late August. We will send you a letter with your enrolment date and time once you have accepted your offer.

WHAT IF I CHANGE MY MIND ABOUT THE COURSES I HAVE CHOSEN?

There will be an opportunity for you to reconsider your choices – however, it is important that you are serious about the choices that you make. When you come to enrolment in August you can make any final changes to your programme provided;

you have achieved the required grades
the balance of your programme is sensible
and we still have places on the subject you want to take.

WHEN DOES TEACHING START?

Our A Levels commence teaching in September. Once you have been offered a place, we will get in touch with you to advise you of your enrolment dates in August and September.

Once you’ve enrolled, we will give you the exact start dates and times for your chosen course. Most of our courses follow our main term dates.

WHEN WILL I HAVE CLASSES?

Classes usually take place between 9am and 5pm on Monday to Friday. However, the exact times will vary depending on your chosen course. Your teacher will be able to advise you of the full timetable during induction.

WILL I HAVE FREE TIME IN-BETWEEN CLASSES?

There will be times when you do not have timetabled classes – our A Levels involve 3-4 days of teaching per week. However, you will be expected to use this time for private study and to complete your homework.

WHAT IF I DON’T GET THE GCSE RESULTS I NEED?

Don’t worry! Although we may need to reassess your situation, we offer a wide variety of courses at many different levels – come in for your enrolment interview as planned, and we can discuss the best option for you then.

CAN I APPLY TO STUDY A LEVELS IF I AM NO LONGER IN YEAR 11?

We only accept applications from students who are currently in Year 11; this means we do not accept applications from those who wish to restart or resit Year 12 nor those who wish to join us for Year 13. However, our sister college Westminster Kingsway will accept applications from those currently in Year 12. Have a look at their A Level options and make an application, this link takes you to their A Level offer.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO COLLEGE?

At CANDI, each of our students is individual and that is reflected in what they choose to wear! We don’t have a uniform, nor do we stop you wearing make-up or styling your hair how you want to. All we ask is that you don’t wear any offensive slogans or statements on your clothing. For some courses there may be required clothing that you will need to wear whilst you are undertaking certain tasks; for example, laboratory coats for science experiments.