Key Information For Year 11s

We offer a wide range of Vocational Qualifications including; Business, Computing, Construction, Creative Industries, Foundation Learning, Hair and Beauty, Health, Care and Early Years, Hospitality and Catering, Automotive Engineering, Sport and Protective Services. There is plenty of choice available with a variety of study levels to suit you.

The simple answer is no. Taking more than one Vocational qualification would not allow you to focus and complete the work needed in both qualifications, ultimately harming your end results. It can be hard to decide on your Vocational qualification, but our website is home to lots of resources that can support you in making that decision including; campus tours, course introductions, taster sessions and our interactive prospectus.

This is dependent on the course you select and the level you are studying. Many of our programmes will include exams, however your lecturers will support you in preparing for these exams well in advance of taking them.

Absolutely! Our Level 3 Vocational qualifications will offer UCAS points in the same way that A Levels, T Levels and Apprenticeships do. You may also choose a course that has natural progression through our own Yeovil College University Centre, such as one of our Foundation Degree level courses, this will encompass your Level 3 qualification and set you up for Level 4 and beyond.

Yes, all of our learners will complete a form of work experience as part of their study programme to enhance their learning. The amount you’re required to complete is dependent on the level you are studying, it will range between 35 to 150 hours.

The cost is specific to each area, as some areas will require specific clothing or equipment. These costs will be shared with you prior to enrolment and there is funding support available should you require it.

Yes! Our students go on a variety of educational visits to support their learning. Previous visits have included; Old Trafford Stadium, Weymouth Fire Station, London Museum of Brands, Barcelona, Iceland, London, Hinkley Point, to name just a few.

You can change your course within the first half term of the academic year. If you need to do this, we would highly recommend changing course as soon as you have made this decision, this means that you will have less to catch up on as you transfer into a new area.

You can take up to three different A Level subjects at our Kingston Sixth Form Centre.

There is no set deadline to apply by, but we recommend applying early to ensure you secure the subjects you want.

Absolutely, we have seen our previous A Level students go on some fantastic trips. At the beginning of last year, our A Level Business group visited the Museum of Brands in London.

They follow GCSEs and are equivalent to 3 A Levels. They bring classroom and work placement together, on a course designed with employers and businesses.

Two years of full-time study.

An industry placement lasts around 45 days (minimum of 315 hours).

Yes. T Levels help you to become work ready, but you can also continue studying with a higher apprenticeship or a degree.

Yes. A T Level Distinction* is worth the same as 3 A Levels at A* and will be recognised by universities.

All apprentices in their first year get paid a minimum of £5.28 an hour (this rate will rise each April), although some employers will pay more. After one year, any apprentices who are 19 or over move onto the national minimum wage for their age. Apprentices that are 18 or under stay on the base rate, however employer can choose to pay more than this rate. Apprentices are also paid for the time they spend in college.

An apprenticeship is a job, so the simple answer is yes you do. However, as an apprenticeship is a job, the perfect vacancy may not exist at the time you are looking to apply. We will support you to discover other similar opportunities, but we strongly recommend that you apply for the full-time course equivalent of your apprenticeship to ensure that you have a back-up option in place.

This depends on the type of apprenticeship as they are all allocated different levels as a starting point. It also depends on your existing qualifications.

You must be 16 or over to start an apprenticeship.

Yes, it gives you a valuable qualification which shows you have reached the level of competence required for that particular job role. You may then choose to progress to higher level qualifications or apprenticeships. A lot of companies use apprenticeships to develop the skills of their existing employees.

Anything from 12 months to around 4 years, depending on the apprenticeship.

All apprenticeships are now called Apprenticeship Standards and you will need to complete an End Point Assessment (EPA) which is assessed by an independent organisation. Some standards also include qualifications, and these must be completed and achieved before the End Point Assessment can be taken. If you don’t have the relevant level of Maths and English you will also need to sit these exams.

Apprentices normally have to work 30 hours minimum a week. They can work less but the length of the apprenticeship would normally increase as a result. Most apprentices do work more hours than this. The maximum hours you can work is dependent on your age.