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How to apply

Applying to Hills Road

Applications for entry for the next academic year (starting September 2026) are now open.

If you are considering applying to Hills Road, you will need to submit your application by 6 January 2026, or 13 January 2026 if you attend a Cambridge Area Partnership (CAP) school or your school is listed on MyChoice16.

Please make sure you have read our application guidance and Admissions Policy below before applying.

Making your application

Please read the following guide on how to make an application to Hills Road. The process is different depending on your current school and whether it is listed on MyChoice16, the application platform.

Important! Following the application closing date in January, your predicted grades cannot be changed unless your school has made a data error.

If you attend a Cambridge Area Partnership (CAP) school, or your school is listed on MyChoice16, you must follow the application guidance given to you by your school. Please use the button below to check if your school is listed on MyChoice16.

Your application will be made through the MyChoice16 website, please do not create a new account if your school is listed.

The application deadline is 13 January 2026.

Application guide

We are here to help with everything from questions about A level courses to the application process.
Kate, Head of Admissions

Entry requirements for 2026

Entry requirements to Hills Road are different to other sixth form centres. We don’t ask for a set group of GCSE grades. Instead, each A level has its own entry requirements, with an Admissions Score and minimum GCSE grade.

Most of our A levels require a GCSE grade 6, and some have alternative routes, including Drama, Dance, Art, Music and languages.

The Admissions Score is created by adding up the following GCSE grades: English Language x 2, Mathematics x 2 and the next best six grades. Please use our Admission Score Calculator below.

View all subjects

Admissions Score calculator

You can use our handy Admissions Score calculator to work out your score. All you need are your predicted grades and to follow the instructions on the calculator.

Calculate my Admissions Score

of students take three A levels

of our 36 A levels require a GCSE grade 6, and some have alternative entry routes

73%

of students in Year 12 are from CAP schools

Sign up for updates from Admissions

If you were unable to attend the July Open Events and would like information about the College and our application process, please complete the sign-up form using the button below.

Our next Open Events will take place in July 2026. These events are aimed at Year 10 students, but if you are now in Year 11 and were unable to attend the Open Events last term, you are welcome to join the next round of these events in July 2026.

two students and one teacher in classroom

Choosing your subjects

Deciding which A levels to apply for can be challenging. We’ve listed a few tips to help you decide which subjects to take.

Our guide to choosing your subjects:

Steps	Step 1
Actions	Make a list of your current GCSE subjects.

Steps	Step 2
Actions	Highlight the subjects you feel you are good at and enjoy; this should give you a shortlist of A level subjects to consider. However, there may be subjects that you haven't had the opportunity to study before, that you'd like to explore at A level.

Steps	Step 3
Actions	Use the subject pages on our website to find out more. Each has in-depth course information and a video.

Steps	Step 4
Actions	Talk to current A level students, your parent or carer, teachers and the school careers adviser.

Steps	Step 5
Actions	During Year 10 and 11, take the opportunity to attend any relevant assemblies, talks, workshops or activities that your current school offers. It’s a good idea to have an open mind about your next steps.

Steps	Step 6
Actions	Consider your future pathway: what would you like to do after sixth form? At this stage, this may be just an idea, or it could be a fully formed plan. Whichever applies to you, make sure you take it into account when choosing your A level subjects.

Steps	Step 7
Actions	Use online resources such as Informed Choices or UCAS (links below) to research how A level subjects can lead to different pathways, including university, apprenticeships or the world of work.

There are many opportunities to find out more about the College and decide if Hills Road is right for you.

Key dates	SEP to DEC 25
Action	Attend any assemblies, workshops, talks or activities that your school offers. Also, visit your Careers Adviser if you are given the opportunity. From September, you will be able to access the MyChoice16 platform. Applications can be submitted from 1 October 2025.

Key dates	JAN 26
Action	Applications must be submitted by 6 January, or 13 January 2026 if you attend a Cambridge Area Partnership school. You will write the first part of the application, and your nominated referee will put together the second, including a reference and your predicted GCSE results, before submitting the application on your behalf.

Key dates	JAN/FEB 26: Guidance meetings
Action	You will be invited to a Guidance Meeting if you are qualified for the A level subjects you wish to study, or you can make yourself qualified with course changes (we will let you know if this is the case). You need to be qualified for at least three A levels (or be able to make yourself qualified), but we recommend that you include five in your application. We do not make offers in Guidance Meetings and they are not interviews.

Key dates

JAN/FEB 26:
Guidance meetings

Action

You will be invited to a Guidance Meeting if you are qualified for the A level subjects you wish to study, or you can make yourself qualified with course changes (we will let you know if this is the case). You need to be qualified for at least three A levels (or be able to make yourself qualified), but we recommend that you include five in your application.
We do not make offers in Guidance Meetings and they are not interviews.

Key dates	FEB 26: Confirming your subject choices
Action	After your guidance meeting, we ask you to confirm the A levels that you would like to study in preference order. If you want to change your subjects at this stage, don’t worry, you can, as long as you are qualified for your new courses.

Key dates	MAR 26: Offers published
Action	Offers will be emailed to applicants by the end of March 2026.

Key dates	MAY-JUN 26: Life at Hills Road emails
Action	We will keep in touch with you during the summer term with all the information you need on starting life as a student at Hills Road, including bursary applications, how to travel here, and what equipment you’ll need.

Key dates	7 OR 8 JUL 26: Welcome to Hills
Action	Experience life as a Hills Road student at our Welcome to Hills transition days. An important step in your journey to starting Year 12, which most of our offer holders choose to attend.

Key dates	20 AUG 26: GCSE Results day and Enrolment
Action	Congratulations! When you’ve received your GCSE results, you’ll enrol online via our Student Dashboard. You will be sent all the information you need when the time comes.

Key dates	3 OR 4 SEP 26 (TBC): Getting started
Action	Your Getting Started induction morning at Hills Road. You’ll meet your tutor, new classmates and find out more about Year 12 before lessons begin the following week.