Study with us

How to apply

Applying to Hills Road

Applications have closed for entry to the College in September 2025.

For information on how to make a Post-results application on GCSE Results Day (Thursday 21 August), please use the button below.

Current applicants

Applications for entry in September 2025 closed in January and offers were sent out at the end of March. For information on our post-results service in August, please use the link below.

We will be in touch with current offer holders by email throughout the summer term, with information on the Welcome to Hills transition days in July, enrolment on GCSE results day in August, and the induction morning in September.

Applications for 2026

Applications for entry in September 2026 will open in September 2025.

Application deadlines will be in early January 2026. Exact dates are set by Cambridge Area Partnership (CAP) and will be updated on this page as soon as we have them.

We are aware that Year 10 students will be considering their post-16 options already. Please use the Entry requirements information below together with our A level subjects and Study programme pages to find out more about what we offer at Hills Road.

We would also encourage Year 10 students and their families to attend an Open Event in July 2025. These will take place on Saturday 5 and Monday 7 July, and tickets will be available to book via this website from Monday 28 April.

Entry requirements for 2026

The entry requirements for entry in September 2026 will be available on this page from May. The updated Admissions Policy and new prospectus will also be available at this time.

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

The next best six grades

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

two students and one teacher in classroom

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

Choosing your subjects

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

Our seven step 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.

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, attend any relevant assemblies, talks, workshops or activities that your current school offers.

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.

Applicant journey - key dates

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

Key dates	JUL 25
Action	Come along to one of our Open Events: on Saturday 5 July from 10 am to 4 pm, and on Monday 7 July from 5 to 8 pm. You will be able to book tickets via our Open Events webpage from Monday 28 April.

Key dates	SEP to NOV 25
Action	Attend any assemblies, workshops, talks or activities that your school offers. Also visit your Careers Adviser if you are offered the opportunity. From September, you will be able to access the MyChoice16 platform.

Key dates	JAN 26
Action	Deadlines for entry in September 2026 will be published as soon as they are available.

Key dates	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. You need to be qualified for at least three A levels (or be able to make yourself qualified). We do not make offers in guidance meetings and they are not formal 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.

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

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 (TBC): GCSE Results day and enrolment begins!
Action	Congratulations! When you’ve received your GCSE results, you’ll need to enrol online via our Student Dashboard. Full information is available on How to enrol webpage

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.

of students take three A levels

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

73%

of students transfer from CAP schools