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 []">Last month, a group of our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/surve… Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction</u></a> students visited the UK Construction Week Exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham. This event is the UK's largest built environment event which showcases a range of international exhibitors. </p><p>This tradeshow exhibits 1000s of innovative products, services and materials for other like-minded individuals to experience and explore. it also gathers the top speakers within the sector to hold seminars and hands-on workshops where they discuss and debate the issues that affect the construction industry. </p><p>The trip provided an excellent opportunity for students to explore the latest innovations and technologies shaping the future of the construction industry. The show had a heavy focus on sustainability from Hybrid and Electric vehicles to Solar powered welfare units. </p><p>On top of this, the students’ experienced live demonstrations from different products and gained hands on insights from industry professionals. They even discovered a 3D concrete printing machine that could build the next generation of homes which gave the students a better understanding of the future of construction. </p><p>Students also got the chance to connect with smaller feeder companies that contribute to the overall UK construction market. This gave them a better understanding of the different opportunities available to them outside of larger corporations that help lay the foundations and create key elements in the construction industry. They received a variety of freebies and merchandise from different stands they engaged with. </p><p>Overall, the visit proved to be educational and beneficial with a range of fantastic networking opportunities. Students got the chance to experience new materials and innovative projects that exhibitors and professionals have created across the UK. Following this event, we hope to welcome some of the exhibitors as guest speakers to the College over the coming months. </p><p>Thank you to all the exhibitors and employers who engaged and interacted with our students. </p><p>This curriculum trip forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; 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/engineering-and-construction/"…;! 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>Construction learners recently benefited from a valuable industry-led session delivered by leading contractor Gilbert Ash.</p><p>The company visited campus last week to speak with students about site behaviour, safety expectations and the importance of maintaining professional standards on a modern construction site. The session aligned closely with current curriculum delivery, giving learners a clear link between classroom teaching and real-world practice.</p><p>Learners from the Level 2 Bricklaying course were also able to have a site visit to Long Ashton, seeing first-hand how the principles discussed in the classroom are applied on site.</p><p>Duncan Edwards, brickwork lecturer at Weston College, said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for our learners to step beyond the classroom and experience a live site environment. Seeing professionals in action, on a major site, is invaluable to their development as future tradespeople. Opportunities like this give our students real insight into the industry and help bring their curriculum to life, so a huge thank you to both EPIC and Gilbert Ash for making it possible.”</p><p>The ongoing collaboration between Weston College, EPIC and Gilbert Ash, is creating invaluable opportunities for learners to engage with employers, develop professional confidence and understand the expectations of the industry they are preparing to join.</p><p>More site visits are planned over the coming months, alongside active apprenticeship recruitment and T Level placement opportunities, ensuring learners gain meaningful experience that supports their next steps in construction.</p><p>You can discover opportunities in Construction at Weston College, by <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const… here.</a></p>
<p>This week, we were delighted to welcome<strong> Nick Elston,</strong> award-winning<strong> speaker, facilitator and Founder of Forging People,</strong> to the Conference Centre for a powerful and engaging guest lecture delivered to our SEND learners.</p><p>Nick’s session explored a range of important topics, including:</p><ul><li>Anxiety</li><li>Self-doubt</li><li>Fear of rejection</li><li>Finding your voice</li><li>Speaking up and being heard</li></ul><p>He began with <em>“How to Forge Ahead”, </em>a thought-provoking session focused on mental health, resilience and personal growth. Nick openly shared stories from his own life, speaking candidly about the challenges he has faced and the strategies that helped him overcome them. He highlighted how fear often stems from the stories we tell ourselves, scenarios we imagine long before they ever happen, and encouraged learners to recognise these patterns. Nick offered practical tools, advice and techniques to help manage moments of uncertainty, reduce self-doubt and seek support when it is needed most.</p><p>The lecture then moved into <em>“Find Your Voice”, </em>a dynamic and interactive session all about communicating with confidence whether in interviews, presentations, applications, educational settings or everyday life. Our learners showed exceptional enthusiasm, with many stepping to the front to take part in Nick’s speaking exercises. They shared what brings them joy and what frustrates them, all while building confidence in their own communication styles.</p><p>Throughout the session, learners asked thoughtful questions and engaged with the material. They left feeling empowered, equipped with new strategies and a stronger understanding of how to express themselves effectively, reinforcing the message that every voice matters and deserves to be heard.</p><p>A huge thank you to Nick Elston for delivering such an inspiring, honest and impactful session. His guidance has provided our learners with valuable skills and insights they can carry forward throughout their lives.</p>
