Advanced Vocational
The Advanced Vocational Pathway is a natural choice for you if you have done well at GCSE but now wish to move on to a course related to your career plans.National Diploma and Certificate courses offer you the chance to spend most of your time in College on a course directly related to working in the industry of your choice.
All courses will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need for employment or Higher Education in your chosen field and some involve a significant element of work placement.
Units will be taught by a team of staff and will cover a range of different aspects of your area of study. This means that your week is varied and that you experience a range of different teaching and learning styles. You will get to know your staff and your fellow students well and feeling part of a team is a common experience for vocational students.
Some Advanced Vocational courses, for instance BTEC National Certificates, can be combined with an A level course.
Vocational courses are usually assessed through assignment work rather than exams. These courses will really suit you if your coursework grades are always better than your exam marks. You will have an idea of your grades as you work through the course and will have an opportunity to re-submit any work that is not up to standard.
A BTEC National Diploma course will usually involve at least 14 sessions a week in class and you will need to spend plenty of time on study at home or in the Learning Resources Centre. Lessons will be a mixture of discussion, lectures, group and individual research, and practical activities.
To succeed on the Advanced Vocational Pathway you will need to achieve four grades A*-C at GCSE. Requirements vary from course to course and you will need to check the individual course descriptions included in our Prospectus and on our website.
