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 []">Recently, one of our former <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/anima… Management</u></a> students, Maddie, came in to deliver a guest lecture to our current <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/anima… Management</u></a> students, outlining the journey she took into her role and discussing the importance of experience and passion to become a professional in the industry. </p><p>Maddie completed the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/anima… 3 Animal Management</u></a> course in 2020 but has also had many years of experience, helping in a veterinary practice at just 14 years old, before managing livestock on a farm, working in rescue kennels and then working in a veterinary hospital. She then launched her own business, <strong>Maddie’s Pawfect Pooches</strong>, in 2023 where she provides personalised dog training for clients.</p><p>Throughout her <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/anima… Management</u></a> course, Maddie completed a range of work experience including <strong>White House Kennels</strong> where she helped care for dogs in boarding and <strong>Court Farm</strong> where she worked in the farming industry. She said, “The benefits to completing a placement at college are endless. You gain hands-on experience with animals, but you also learn how to talk to customers and clients. Depending on what you want to go into, it can also be a great way to make connections with employers, learn more about that specific industry, and how to secure a permanent job in that role.”</p><p>“I absolutely loved the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/anima… Management</u></a> course. I felt it had a great element of practical as well as theory, and being able to work with the animals at Puxton Park was a great way to get the necessary hands-on experience.”</p><p>For many years, Maddie knew she wanted to start her own dog training business, therefore, after her Weston College course, Maddie completed a Level 4 Dog Training, Behaviour, and Welfare course to create a well-established business across North Somerset.</p><p>Within her business, Maddie supports dogs and their owners through tailored training sessions and solutions, specialising in rescue dogs and reactivity cases. Within these sessions, Maddie helps dogs build their confidence, overcome behavioural challenges, and help dogs feel safe and understood as well as help their owners better understand the reasons behind their behaviour and how to manage it in the future. She also creates puppy training programmes for owners to navigate and cope with the behavioural and developmental stages of a new puppy. </p><p>During her 1-to-1 training sessions, Maddie completes a behavioural assessment through observations and interactions, she then creates a training plan and educates the owner on what she has discovered regarding the dog's behaviour. To overcome the issues, Maddie completes training with the dog, this can take anywhere between a couple of sessions to a couple of months depending on the severity of the case. She then has monthly catch-up sessions with the owner and their dog to monitor any changes and check progress.</p><p>This thorough process is the foundation of her successful business and has been extremely effective and received great feedback from clients, making the waitlist for her services around 6-7 months.</p><p>“My favourite thing about owning my own business is getting to know all the dogs and clients personally. I love seeing the progression that the dogs make, from when I first meet them, they’re nervous and reactive, to then seeing them confident and emotionally balanced, it’s just so rewarding.”</p><p>Maddie is an excellent reflection of what students can achieve when they set their mind to something and put in the work. She knew what she wanted and worked hard to get it, gaining a range of different work experiences to secure a wide knowledge base of working with different animals and specialties. </p><p>A big thank you to Maddie for sharing her experiences and acting as an excellent role model for the students.</p><p>This Careers Event forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/anima… Management</u></a> Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.</p><p>Progress to the next level in <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses-by-subject/animal-environment-and-biologi… Management</u></a>! At <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><u>University Centre Weston (UCW)</u></a> our students give us impressive feedback, with our latest National Student Survey results putting us above average in all nine areas! Find out more about our exceptional teaching, wellbeing services and learning resources by visiting our website. <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><u>Click here!</u></a></p><p><strong>If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&utm_medium=main-…;. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.</strong></p>
<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Last week, our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music… and Production</u></a> students got the chance to sit in on a live performance from the band, ‘<strong>The Peripheries</strong>’, and help them record an album within our Michael Eavis Performance suite, which links directly to the HE Recording Studio at Loxton Campus. </p><p><strong>The Peripheries</strong> are an Italian New Wave band with 1980s influences and experimental sounds. With connections to a member of staff at the college, they visited our students and performed for them, giving them the chance to hear a new variation of music that they may not have previously discovered. </p><p>Our students are trained on top-of-the-range equipment to ensure they are fully equipped with the skills and knowledge required for working in the industry. They not only learn to set up for performances and gigs, but they also learn what to listen for when recording so they can make the correct adjustments. Students were taking charge of the settings on the music decks while other students were behind in the recording studio ensuring that all aspects of the gig were recorded smoothly. </p><p>Giving students the chance to help record an album for the band gives them fantastic, real-world experience and practice working with clients. Not only this, our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat…; and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat…; students also got involved with filming the performance so the band will have a professional album with a high-quality music video created by our students. This provides them with great hands-on experience and allows them to build their portfolio with a new and dynamic project. </p><p>Some students will also assist in editing the raw materials to create the final album. This is a great opportunity to see how to fine-tune recordings to ensure high-quality products that are ready for external audiences. </p><p>Within our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music…; faculty, students are encouraged to get involved and learn the trade wherever possible. They will often perform at local gigs and festivals with students helping with the set-up and production, acting as sound technicians to ensure to event runs seamlessly. Also, by inviting a range of musicians into the college who have different requests and preferences to enhance their sound helps to broaden the students' knowledge base and better prepare them for working with clients in the industry. </p><p>Whether students are interested in playing music or working as a production technician, our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music…; courses enable students to be versed in every aspect, so they gain a holistic understanding of Music Production. This makes them an integral part of any gig or show as they have a level of experience working behind the scenes. </p><p>Thank you to The Peripheries for joining us on campus and working with our students to give them hands-on experience in the industry. Also, well done to our students for taking on all responsibilities with professionalism and maturity! </p><p>This live performance forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music…; and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat…; Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys. </p><p>Progress to the next level in <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses/professional-music-performance-and-produc…;! At <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><u>University Centre Weston (UCW)</u></a> our students give us impressive feedback, with our latest National Student Survey results putting us above average in all nine areas! Find out more about our exceptional teaching, wellbeing services and learning resources by visiting our website. <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><u>Click here!</u></a> </p><p><strong>If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&utm_medium=main-…;. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.</strong> </p><p> </p>
<p>Taking place during <strong>UK Construction Week</strong>, our <strong>‘T Level Day’</strong> for the 2025-2026 term will be held on <strong>Wednesday 1st October. </strong>This event provides an excellent opportunity for employers to connect with our talented T Level Construction learners, share industry insights, and inspire the next generation of construction professionals. </p><p>During the T Level Day, we will also be repeating the ‘Speed Interview’ session due the success from last year, as employer participation made a significant impact and enabled our learners to gain invaluable interview skills whilst gathering practical advice directly from industry professionals.</p><p>Industry involvement is key to giving learners a chance to apply for a T Level Placement, alongside gaining a real understanding of the construction sector; including career pathways, emerging technologies, and the skills needed to succeed. For more information on the speed interviews, please check out last year’s event <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/news/t-level-construction-employer-engagement-… Level Day - South West Skills Campus, Weston-super-Mare</u></strong></p><p><strong>8.30am-9am: </strong>Employers to arrive/Free Parking on site</p><p><strong>8.30am:</strong> Coffee/Tea/Breakfast available, meet faculty teams</p><p><strong>9.25am: </strong>Students in</p><p><strong>9.30am:</strong> Opening from Assistant Principal</p><p><strong>09.40am:</strong> Employer Presentations (10-15 mins per business)</p><p><strong>10.40:</strong> COMFORT BREAK</p><p><strong>11.00: </strong>Employer Presentations (10-15 mins per business)</p><p><strong>12noon:</strong> COMFORT BREAK – Speed Interview Set up</p><p><strong>12.15-1.30:</strong> Speed Interviews with students (in breakout rooms)</p><p><strong>1.30pm: </strong>Lunch/Networking/Feedback</p><p><strong>2.00pm:</strong> Office</p><p> </p><p>If you are interested in taking part in this year’s event or would like more details, please email <strong><u>employers@weston.ac.uk</u></strong></p>
