Courses for 16 to 18-year-olds (old)
COURSES FOR SCHOOL LEAVERS
With hundreds of unique, exciting and inspiring programmes to choose from, everything you need to create your brighter future is waiting for you at Weston College.
From the minute you walk through the door, the experience and the environment that we create is all about maximising your potential. It’s about preparing and motivating you for a fresh and focused career pathway.
Every Weston College student becomes part of one of our exciting new Career Excellence Hubs. This means you will take part in a study programme with lots of career boosting benefits, all with the aim of help you to go further, giving you the opportunity to become career ready with the skills, knowledge and expertise you need to be successful in your next step and reach your ultimate goal - whatever that may be!
Whether you are looking for the next step after school or the next step in your career, we're bound to have a programme for you. Take a look below at the different types of qualifications available for school leavers and young people between 16 and 18 years old.
Did you know we also run English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)?
Start your brighter future by selecting a subject you're interested in below, and don't forget - you can apply online and it only takes 5 minutes!
Discover our range of courses for school leavers aged 16-18 using the search options below...
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Find Your Future Path
Qualifications Explained
At Weston College we know that everyone learns differently. That’s why we deliver a variety of different qualification types - to give you the chance to learn in the way that suits you the most.
A Levels
A Levels develop the knowledge, skills and study habits to excel at university, as well as the attributes recognised by employers. Your academic studies will be complemented with enrichment opportunities such as trips, mentoring and work experience, providing the perfect springboard for your future career. A Levels are assessed through exams at the end of two years of study. Most learners study three subjects - some choose four.
Apprenticeships
With an apprenticeship you’ll go straight into the workplace and be shown clear routes to progress straight into employment within a specific occupation. You can achieve nationally recognised qualifications, earn a wage, and gain skills that will see you get ahead. On average you will spend 20% of your learning time in the college and 80% within the workplace..
Professional and Technical Qualifications
Professional and technical qualifications are designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to gain employment within specific industries or occupations. They provide a balance between theory and practical skills development. They are suited to those who want to get hands-on experience within a particular vocational area. These programmes include work placements. Assessment is more varied and will include exams, coursework and practical work.
Traineeships
Traineeships are a great way for 16 to 24-year-olds who haven’t yet gained the skills and experiences necessary to apply for jobs and apprenticeships. They are taught mostly in the workplace and include a mixture of personal and social development, and employability skills. The aim of a traineeship is to train you within a company so that you are more likely to be offered an apprenticeship or a job.
T Levels give you the chance to learn what a real career is like while you continue your studies. T Levels have been designed with leading businesses and employers to give you the knowledge and skills you need, including a minimum of 45 days on an industry placement – this means you will spend 80% of your learning time in College and 20% within the workplace.
CHOOSING WHAT TO STUDY
We are all about CAREERS NOT COURSES and pride ourselves on being able to offer a huge range of programmes to ensure you develop the skills and knowledge employers and universities are looking for. As the only education provider in North Somerset that enables you to work your way up from an entrylevel programme to a degree, we’re here to help you choose the right programme for you.
We can help you choose your study programme or apprenticeship by accessing the following support:
School Liaison Team
Working with local schools we help you find out about college life and programmes of study, and we provide you with advice and guidance about what programmes will best suit you. We will either visit your school, attend careers fairs and parents’ evenings or coordinate campus and virtual events such as our taster days, holiday workshops and tours.
Events
We put on a number of events over the year, which will be a mixture of face-to-face and virtual events. These provide you and your family with the opportunity to explore our facilities, speak to our lecturers, find out about the support on offer and choose the right programme for you. Our events also give you the opportunity to engage with a number of employers to find out about careers in their industry and why they value the calibre of candidates that come from Weston College.
CAREERS ADVICE
- On our website you can access a wealth of career guidance, such as:
- All the programmes you can study.
- What our alumni have gone on to achieve.
- Labour Market Intelligence (LMI) that will help explain what relevant careers and jobs are available, including salaries.
- NEW – Subject careers roadmaps, so you can map your journey with us and ensure it will get you into your chosen career. Also, check out Career Coach - this provides you with the opportunity to:
- Take an assessment that matches you with careers.
- Explore broad career pathways that match your strengths and interests.
- Compare careers within a pathway - including salaries, required education and more.
- Explore our programmes that will set you on the path to your desired career.
- Take a career assessment - and receive an in-depth report that can help you identify the best programme and career path for you!
We’re here and happy to help – if you would like more advice and guidance, contact our school liaison team by emailing schoolteam@weston.ac.uk. - they you can arrange a one-to-one careers appointment with our specialist staff.
LATEST NEWS
<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Some of our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/trave… and Tourism</a> learners secured fantastic placements this year, giving them the chance to gain experience with organisations such as <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.bristolport.co.uk/">Bristol Port Company</a> and with <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.tui.co.uk/">TUI</a> Travel Agents.</p><p>At Bristol Port, eleven learners took part in a dynamic placement supporting the embarkation and disembarkation of cruise ship passengers. Working on shifts, the students assisted with security operations and provided visitor information services to passengers boarding the Ambition cruise ship, operated by Ambassador Cruises. As part of their experience, they also had the opportunity to tour the ship, offering a unique behind-the-scenes perspective of cruise operations.</p><p>The Bristol Port Company provided a comprehensive induction and training process to prepare learners for their roles. This experience proved to be a fantastic opportunity to develop key skills crucial to the cruise and wider tourism industries such as communication, cultural awareness, problem-solving, and professional conduct.</p><p>The Cruise Industry is a unit on the course, and this work experience provided learners with an inside look at the coordination between travel companies, cruise lines, port authorities and local tourism boards. Learners were able to see how they all work together and be a part of this. This is vital knowledge for a career in travel and tourism.</p><p>In addition, two learners undertook placements at the TUI Travel Agent branch in Weston-super-Mare. During their 37-hour placements, they shadowed experienced staff, sourced holiday deals, and created promotional signage for display outside the store. This hands-on experience offered valuable insight into a wide range of Travel and Tourism services, including holidays, package tours, cruises, destination weddings, and bespoke travel experiences.</p><p>Ben Melhuish, Head of <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/busin…; and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/trave…; at Weston College, added, “Creating these links with local employers is imperative to the success for our learners on Travel and Tourism. Gaining real world experience in the operations of tourism in the local area helps us meet the skills needs of our employers, whilst also strengthening the transferable skills and employability of our learners when they finish their course. The learners have once again been a credit to their course and college and the feedback from has been extremely positive!”</p><p>Hannah Carstensen, lecturer in <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/busin…; and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/trave…; at Weston College, shared her thoughts on the placement, “Work experience like this is highly beneficial for our Travel and Tourism learners as it provides practical exposure to the industry. The learners were able to gain an insight into the different Travel and Tourism products and services. This will help improve employability and helps learners build professional connections and references for future roles within the industry.”</p><p>A big thank you to the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.bristolport.co.uk/">Bristol Port Company</a> and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.tui.co.uk/">TUI</a> Weston-super-Mare for making this opportunity possible and providing an invaluable learning experience.</p><p><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/trave… you’re interested in applying to one of our Travel & Tourism courses, click here.</a></p>
<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Weston College Creative Arts are thrilled to announce a brand-new T Level for September 2025, the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… Broadcast & Production T Level</a>. This is an exciting and dynamic course that will give students the chance to develop their practical and theoretical skills with industry professionals.</p><p>Media is a dynamic and fast-paced industry that is the centre of everything we do. Whether you’re interested in Film Studies, Directing, Presenting, Digital Marketing, Social Media Content Creating or anything else in that field, you will gain invaluable experience from an industry placement that you may not get from a classroom which will prepare you for a real-world environment.</p><p>This T Level will be led by Media lecturer, Addi Coath, who has a strong industry background in film, having completed a Film Production Undergraduate degree before progressing to a Masters in Global Film and Television. He has also produced many award-winning short films and has even set up his own Film Festiva, 90 Second Mayhem.</p><p><strong>What is the </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… T Level</strong></a><strong>?</strong></p><p>The <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… Broadcast & Production T Level</a> is a blend of classroom study and 315 hours of guaranteed industry placement over the two-year course. This will provide you with an in-depth understanding of working with a client where you will gain invaluable feedback and tips to improve your work.</p><p>During the course, you will master a wide range of media production techniques—from creating viral content for platforms like TikTok and Instagram, to producing professional-grade longform media such as documentaries, podcasts, and branded video content. You’ll also learn how to monetise your creativity, build a personal brand, and understand the business side of media—skills that are essential for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and in-house creatives alike.</p><p>Not only this, you will build relationships with clients and gain insight into working in a professional environment with the expectations that accompany this to prepare you for the workplace. These responsibilities will be transferrable between roles and will equip you for working with clients in the future.</p><p><strong>Why choose the </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… T Level</strong></a><strong>?</strong></p><p>The industry experience that students gain from the T Level will put their knowledge into practice and allow students to network with industry professionals. They will also build their personal portfolio and relationships with clients which will enhance their CVs and University applications for the future. </p><p>Many employers look for industry experience as well as qualifications now, and this T Level can set students apart from others. It will improve many transferrable skills such as time management, organisational skills, communication and teamwork, as well as develop professionalism and maturity that is necessary for any role. </p><p><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… you’re interested in applying for the Media T Level in September, click here.</a></p>
<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Weston College Protective Services are thrilled to announce a brand-new course for September 2025, the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/prote… 1 Outdoor Adventure</u></a> Course. This is an active, adventurous and practical course that will give students an unforgettable experience and lay the foundation to become part of the future generation of Protective Service workers. </p><p><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/prote… Protective Services</u></a> (UPS) is a diverse and fast-paced course, allowing students to explore the different career opportunities within the Armed Forces. This dynamic course is perfect for students who want to work in a hands-on environment, improving their fitness and stamina, whilst developing their transferrable lifesaving skills. </p><p>The new Level 1 course will be led by one of our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/prote… Services</u></a> lecturers, David Usher, who currently teaches some of the Level 1, 2 and 3 courses, with a professional background in the Royal Air Force Regiment. </p><p><strong>What is the </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/prote… 1 Outdoor Adventure Course</u></strong></a><strong>?</strong> </p><p>This course offers a year filled with adventure, personal growth, and unforgettable experiences. Our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/prote… 1 Protective Services</u></a> course is ideal for anyone seeking to build confidence, gain practical skills, and deepen their understanding of the roles in <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/prote… Services</u></a>. Whether you're finishing school, exploring a new direction, or seeking a fresh challenge, this course is the perfect starting point. </p><p>You will be studying units such as navigation and map reading, teamwork and leadership, outdoor first aid, expedition planning, rock climbing and water-based activities. In addition, you'll engage in exciting activities such as coasteering, climbing, and kayaking, whilst getting the chance to connect with employers and serving personnel across various sectors, such as the fire service, military, and prison service. </p><p><strong>Why choose this course?</strong> </p><p>This course offers a highly practical approach compared to other courses at the college, providing an excellent opportunity to develop essential skills like leadership, teamwork, and confidence. It offers many hands-on and immersive activities outside of the classroom, providing a solid foundation for the different Protective Services career options. </p><p>If you're uncertain about your path in college, this <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/prote… 1 Outdoor Adventure</u></a> course will help you explore a variety of career options while offering a year filled with exciting activities and experiences throughout your time with us. </p>
