How to apply - Your journey to The Royal National College for the Blind (RNC)

1. Start looking ahead

It’s never too early to start assessing your Further Education options and gather as much information as you can about academic and/or vocational cousres that will help you achieve your ambitions. 

2. Contact your local Connexions or Careers Adviser

Speak to your Connexions/Careers Adviser in your school or local careers centre who will help you look into your options for post-16 education and training. One option for your future may be specialist residential education, like that on offer at RNC - your adviser will be able to help you with making an application, but please do not hesitate to contact our Registry Team for additional support: registry@rncb.ac.uk or call 01432 376 621.

3. Visit RNC

An informal visit is by far the best way to experience what RNC has to offer – this is an excellent opportunity to meet students and staff and find out all about college life from those who live and work here. You will also have an opportunity to learn more about our outstanding facilities, academic and vocational courses, residential living, resources, support and the pre-entry assessment process. Please contact our Student Enquiries Team on 01432 376621 to arrange your personal ‘one-to-one’ visit.

4. Discussing your options

If, following your visit, you would like to find out more or apply to study at RNCB, our Student Enquiries team will be able to send you out an application form, which you can complete to register your interest – then all you need to do is sit back and wait for our Registry team to get in touch with you. To download a PDF copy of our application form, please clink here. 

5. Pre-Entry Assessment (PEA)

All potential students are invited for a pre-entry assessment (PEA). PEA at RNC is a two-way process. It gives us an opportunity to get to know your strengths, interests and support needs and determine whether this is the right place for you. It gives you an opportunity to meet staff and students and ask any questions you might have about RNC to help you decide whether it is the right place too!

Assessment programmes are based in the Gardner Hall Assessment Centre and include an assessment of:

• Literacy and Numeracy
• Braille and ICT
• Low vision and another disability or needs you may have
• Mobility and independent living skills 

as well as individual interviews with our assessment team to discuss

• Course/programme that you wish to study and how this matches your aspirations
• Residential needs 

We will let you know the outcome of your PEA within 10 working days of your assessment. We will ask you to confirm whether you wish to accept our offer. If you accept our offer, we contact your Connexions/Careers Advisor to proceed with your funding application.

For more information on the PEA or the funding process please contact us 01432 376 621 or email, info@rncb.ac.uk 

6. New Student Conference

Once you are offered a place at the College, you will be invited to join all other new students at a weekend conference for both you and your family. The conference takes place at the beginning of July each year and is a great opportunity to meet fellow new starters and familiarize yourself with your surroundings. 

This year’s New Student Conference is on Friday 6^th and Saturday 7^th July 2012.

7. Start your programme

Welcome to RNC! Our teaching and residential teams are used to helping students settle into College life and are on hand to ensure you receive a comprehensive induction into learning and living at the Royal National College for the Blind (RNC).