Admission Criteria

Photo: Students out and about in the community. Northern Counties College provides a learner-centred further education curriculum for young adults aged 18 - 25 whose present needs cannot be met within general further education or other specialist colleges within the region. The majority of learners come from special schools and have previously had a statement of special educational needs. Learners at the College have severe learning difficulties and require significant specialist support or equipment due to additional physical or sensory disabilities. Many learners have significant communication needs requiring a range of communication strategies due to physical, sensory or autistic spectrum impairments.

The College accepts Students should be able to demonstrate the cognitive level necessary to benefit from the College Curriculum.

Students with significant and complex neurological impairment whose needs require significant support to access learning. This will include:

  • Students with a motor or sensory disability requiring additional personal care or support
  • Students with a hearing impairment who require access to a total communication approach
  • Students with complex needs which are compounded by learning difficulties
  • Students with a neurological difficulty requiring theraputic rehabilitation programmes
  • Students with speech, language or communication difficulties who may use a range of communication strategies
  • Some students on the autistic spectrum who have demonstrated the ability to learn in groups