Vocational Courses

Up your credentials with one of our challenging vocational courses. A two-year BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma is equivalent to three A Levels. The focus is on coursework, with a balance of hands-on practical experience and some external assessments - a great choice if you know the kind of area you want to work in. And they are also widely-recognised qualifications to get you into university, apprenticeships or employment.

This is you:

• I’m organised and good with deadlines

• I like working on a few assignments at the same time

• I want to study things that relate to my chosen career

• I want to go on to university, get an apprenticeship or get a job

You’ll need:

• A minimum of four or more high grades at GCSE in subjects that are relevant to the course you’d like to study, including maths and/or English Language at grade 4 or above.

• Level 2 Diploma with overall Merit in a relevant subject and maths and/or English Language at GCSE grade 4 or above

Your Study Programme:

• Your chosen subject over two years

• Relevant work experience

• Tutorial sessions

• Enrichment opportunities

• Independent study

• Internal and external assessments during year 1 and year 2

• Maths & English*

If you’re not quite ready to join a Level 3 programme, our vocational Progression Pathways allow you to study at Entry Level, Level 1 or Level 2 and will prepare you to progress onto a higher level vocational course. Alternatively, if you want to study skills-based training in an area like Hairdressing & Beauty or Construction, as part of our Skills Pathway, you’ll start your journey on a Level 1 course and progress to higher levels.

This is you:

• I like applied learning, but I want to build my skills, knowledge and confidence first

• Then I’d like to study a higher-level vocational or skills programme, get an apprenticeship or get a job

You’ll need:

Our Progression and Skills Pathways have three different levels:

• Level 2 – four GCSEs at grade 3 or above

• Level 1 (Foundation) – two GCSEs at grade 2 or below

• Entry Level (Foundation) – no formal qualifications needed

Your Study Programme:

• Your chosen subject over one year

• Maths and English*

• Relevant work experience

• Tutorial sessions

• Enrichment opportunities