About our courses
We have a variety of pathways to help you begin your journey, whether that is to go to university, further study, or pursue your dream career.
We offer A Levels, T Levels, Technical courses, Apprenticeship Training and Higher Education courses – there is something for everyone!
Learn more about the types of courses on offer below. Ready to apply? Find out how to apply here!
Traditionally regarded as one of the most popular routes into university, A Levels form the academic pathway for a wide range of subjects, including some that you may not have studied at school.
A Level courses are studied over two years, with most students studying three A Levels. At our colleges, there is an option to do four A Levels.
You can also study two A Levels plus another qualification that is equivalent to an A Level, for example, a BTEC. If you know what you want to study at university, check the entry requirements before you choose your A Level subjects.
Deciding which A Level courses to study can be challenging – there is a wide range of subjects to choose from, some of which will be new to you. Our Career Pathways can help you decide your A Level subjects, showcasing your opportunities for future progression to university and employment.
A Levels Intensives allow you to complete a full A Level in a year; they are designed for people who have already completed a Level 3 qualification and wish to progress to university but do not have enough UCAS points.
T Levels are new technical courses that follow GCSEs and are equivalent to 3 A Levels. These 2-year courses have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses so that the content meets the needs of the industry and prepares you for work. They offer students a mixture of classroom learning and ‘on-the-job’ experience during an industry placement, providing the knowledge and experience needed to open the door to skilled employment, further study or a higher apprenticeship.
You will spend 80% of your time in the classroom and 20% on a 45-day placement with an employer to give you the knowledge and skills companies look for.
Technical and vocational qualifications are available at different levels depending on your experience and previous qualifications.
Entry Level
Entry Level courses are suitable if you have few or no formal qualifications.
You will develop practical skills for work, study and independent living. Successful completion can help you progress to Level 1.
Level 1
Level 1 courses are designed for students who are new to a subject.
You will gain basic subject knowledge, work-related skills and personal development experience. Successful completion can help you progress to Level 2.
Level 2
Many students progress to Level 2 after achieving GCSEs at grade 3 or above.
You will develop subject knowledge and transferable skills such as study skills and problem-solving. Successful completion can help you progress to Level 3.
Level 3
Level 3 qualifications are usually studied over two years and are equivalent to A Levels.
Most Level 3 courses require at least five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English Language, or a relevant Level 2 qualification.
Level 3 qualifications can lead to higher education, apprenticeships or employment.
| Level | Simple explanation | Typical examples |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | Basic skills and knowledge for people starting their learning journey. | Entry Level Certificates, ESOL Entry courses |
| Level 1 | Foundation knowledge. Builds confidence and basic practical skills. Roughly similar to GCSE grades 3–1 (previously known as D–G). | GCSE grades 3–1, BTEC Level 1, Functional Skills Level 1 |
| Level 2 | A good standard of knowledge and skills. Often, the minimum level employers ask for is English and Maths. Equivalent to GCSE grades 9–4 (previously known as A*–C). | GCSE grades 9–4, BTEC Level 2, Functional Skills Level 2 |
| Level 3 | Advanced study, usually taken after Level 2. This is the main route into university or higher apprenticeships. | A Levels, T Levels, BTEC National Diploma |
| Level 4 | Higher Education, beyond A Levels. | Higher National Certificate (HNC), Certificate of Higher Education |
| Level 5 | More specialised Higher Education with greater responsibility and technical knowledge. | Higher National Diploma (HND), Foundation Degree |
| Level 6 | Graduate level, showing in-depth knowledge and independent thinking. | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Level 7 | Postgraduate level, involving advanced study and research. | Master’s Degree, Postgraduate Certificate |
| Level 8 | The highest academic level, creating new knowledge through original research. | Doctorate (PhD), Professional Doctorate |
Vocational qualifications are available in different sizes.
- Foundation Diploma – Equivalent to one and a half A Levels.
- Diploma – Equivalent to two A Levels.
- Extended Diploma – Equivalent to three A Levels.
Certificates and Awards are smaller qualifications that can provide a starting point for further study or help you gain skills quickly in a specific area.
| Qualification | Typical size | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Award | Small | Covers a specific topic or skill. Can often be completed in a short period. |
| Certificate | Medium | More in-depth than an award, and covers a broader range of knowledge and skills. |
| Diploma | Large | A substantial programme of study with a wide range of learning and assessment. |
Technical Occupational Qualifications (TOQs) will help you gain the knowledge, skills, and behaviours needed for the workplace or to continue studying in that field. They are often developed with input from employers and industry experts to ensure they meet current and future workforce needs.
TOQs can be at different levels, such as Level 2 or Level 3, and may be included in apprenticeships.
If you’re aged 19 or older and are looking to study at university, but don’t currently meet the entry requirements for your chosen course, studying an Access to Higher Education Diploma will equip you with the study skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications you need.
Access to Higher Education diplomas have varying entry requirements, depending on the subject area, and are usually taken in one academic year. Most students who study for an Access to HE diploma go on to succeed at university and beyond, with a large number pursuing new careers and seeing changes in their lives that they had never thought possible.
Higher National Certificates (HNC) are the equivalent of one year of a Bachelor’s degree and are vocational, work-related Level 4 courses. They focus on a particular job or profession and are intended to increase your professional and technical skills, helping you to begin, or progress in, your chosen career.
Higher National Diplomas (HND) are the equivalent of two years of a Bachelor’s degree, and are vocational, work-related Level 5 courses. They focus on a particular job or profession and are intended to increase your professional and technical skills, helping you to begin, or progress in, your chosen career.
Foundation degrees are the equivalent of two years of a Bachelor’s degree and are qualifications designed to combine academic study with workplace learning. They focus on a particular job or profession and are intended to increase your professional and technical skills, helping you to begin, or progress in, your chosen career.
The most common foundation degrees are Foundation Degree in Arts (FdA) and Foundation Degree in Science (FdSc). The title of the degree depends on the subject you choose and the qualification’s awarding body.
A foundation degree is a full qualification in its own right; however, you can also use it as entry to a Bachelor’s degree ‘top-up’ programme.
A degree, also known as a Bachelor’s degree, is probably the most well-known higher education qualification. Degrees are made up of different modules that combine to make the overall qualification, awarded as an ordinary or honours degree following the completion of a dissertation or research project.
The most common degrees are Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BSc). The title of the degree depends on the subject you choose and the qualification’s awarding body.
A ‘top-up’ degree enables you (with one more year’s study) to achieve a Bachelor’s degree, after completing a foundation degree or HND.
We offer some specialist teacher training courses, including CertHE, DipHE and PGCE.
The most well-known of these is the PGCE, which stands for Postgraduate Certificate in Education. This leads to qualified teacher status (QTS), enabling holders to teach in the UK education sector, combining study with teaching practice.
We offer the CertHE, which stands for Certificate of Higher Education. This is equivalent to one year of full-time study on a degree programme. It can be taken as a standalone qualification but is also often awarded if you leave a degree course early.
We also offer a DipHE, which stands for Diploma of Higher Education. This is equivalent to two years of full-time study on a degree programme. It can be taken as a standalone qualification but is also often awarded if you leave a degree course early.
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