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>Last month, our <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport… and Fitness</a> students had the opportunity to attend an engaging workshop led by Sport Psychologist, Marcus Nel. The session offered valuable insight into the field of sport psychology, as Marcus shared his personal journey, answered industry-related questions, and delivered a dynamic workshop designed to deepen students' understanding of the career paths available to them.</p><p>Marcus Nel is a highly qualified Sport Psychologist known for his holistic and collaborative approach to enhancing mental resilience in athletes. His work bridges the mind-body connection to help individuals perform at their best. Currently a lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology at UWE Bristol, Marcus has also worked with organisations such as the Bristol Bears Rugby Club and Gloucester Cricket Club, delivering tailored psychological support to optimise performance and wellbeing.</p><p>During the workshop, Marcus introduced students to the core responsibilities of a sport psychologist and walked them through what a typical day in the profession looks like. He then moved into an interactive session designed to boost self-awareness. Students were asked to complete a performance profile, helping them reflect on their current mindset and individual strengths.</p><p>To explore the concept of anxiety, Marcus led students through an immersive task. First, they completed a questionnaire measuring different types of anxiety—somatic, cognitive, and self-confidence. Then, he surprised them with a challenge: they were told they would have to sing in front of the class. With this unexpected twist, students filled out the same questionnaire again, this time using a different coloured pen to highlight their emotional responses. This activity helped them connect theoretical concepts with real emotional experiences—nervousness, increased heart rate, sweaty palms—and better understand how anxiety can affect performance.</p><p>The session concluded with a Q&A, where students were encouraged to ask in-depth questions. Marcus provided honest, insightful responses that gave a realistic perspective on working in the sport psychology field.</p><p>This workshop was a fantastic opportunity for students to explore alternative career paths they may not have previously considered. A huge thank you to Marcus Nel for delivering such an engaging session to our learners.</p><p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport… you’re interested in applying to one of our Sport & Fitness courses, click here.</a></p><p>This Guest Lecture forms part of the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport… & Fitness</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>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 <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/GetUrlReputation">here</…;. 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.</p>
<p>In a heart warming six-week project that bridged generations through creativity, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/art-d… College Level 1 and 2 Art and Design</a> students partnered with residents of Beach Lawns Care Home to explore the world of ceramics.</p><p>This unique collaboration, which took place from the end of March through April, formed part of Weston College’s ongoing social impact work.</p><p>The project began with an idea sparked by the care home, who reached out with an interest in running creative workshops. After coordinating around both the students’ and residents’ schedules, a plan was put in place to run weekly sessions that would grow in complexity and creativity.</p><p>During the initial sessions, students and residents worked side-by-side to create clay coasters—an accessible introduction to working with the material.</p><p>As confidence grew, the group moved on to crafting trinket dishes, with some residents showing remarkable skill and enthusiasm.</p><p>In the final three weeks, the focus shifted from forming to painting, as the co-created pieces were brought to life with colour and personality.</p><p>Feedback from both students and care home residents has been overwhelmingly positive. Students shared how valuable it was to engage in real conversations with the older generation—something they rarely experience in their daily lives.</p><p>For the residents, the impact was equally profound. At a later museum event showcasing the group’s ceramic creations, emotions ran high as they proudly viewed their work on display.</p><p>Chrystal Bliss, Art Lecturer at Weston College, said: “This project stands as a joyful reminder that when we make space for collaboration across generations, we not only craft beautiful objects—we build community, understanding, and lasting memories.</p><p>“Throughout, students developed more than just artistic skills. The project offered a meaningful opportunity to build empathy, improve communication, and gain confidence in unfamiliar social settings. It has been a very rewarding experience.</p><p>“There have been many highlights of this project, but one of the standout moments came when student Harry gave up his seat to support one of the residents, Eddie, and began guiding others through the process. His thoughtful gesture reflected the kindness and maturity that the project inspired among the learners.”</p><p>Eva Jarvis, Art Lecturer at Weston College, added: “We also created Easter decorations with the residents, giving them the opportunity to share their creativity with loved ones during visits. This brought a real sense of comfort and celebration—not just between the residents and their families, but also for our students, whose own families could see the confidence and joy they had helped to nurture through the creative process.</p><p>“This project didn’t just highlight the importance of community and intergenerational connection—it demonstrated the truly transformative power of art.”</p><p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/art-d… out more about our Art and Design courses, by clicking here.</a></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);border-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(97, 97, 97);font-family:"Hco Gotham", "Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif;font-size:inherit;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:500;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px;orphans:2;outline:0px;padding:0px;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;"><strong style="background-color:transparent;border-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;font-size:18px;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">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></span><a style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);border-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(16, 108, 177);font-family:"Hco Gotham", "Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:500;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px;orphans:2;outline:0px;padding:0px;text-align:start;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&utm_medium=main-…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&utm_medium=main-…; target="_blank"><span style="background-color:transparent;border-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(55, 121, 123);font-size:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;"><strong style="background-color:transparent;border-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;font-size:18px;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">here</strong></span></a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);border-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(97, 97, 97);font-family:"Hco Gotham", "Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif;font-size:inherit;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:500;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px;orphans:2;outline:0px;padding:0px;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;"><strong style="background-color:transparent;border-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;font-size:18px;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">. 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> </span></p>
<p>Weston College learner, Gracie Donaghy, recently won the <a href="https://www.sparks-magazine.co.uk/sparks-female-skills-competition-2025… Female Skills Competition 2025</strong></a>! This intense competition challenges participants to complete a live electrical installation from start to finish, testing their knowledge, accuracy, and time management under pressure.</p><drupal-entity alt=""Gracie standing between two SPARKS Professionals holding two large cheques"" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1cd8ad7-51af-4a30-b662-07f3f3cd63bf" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_500x500","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity><p> </p><p>Gracie is currently in her third year of an <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/apprenticeships/electrical-co… Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installation Apprenticeship</a> with Wessex Water. This apprenticeship has allowed her to develop skills in installing and testing cabling systems, containment, and a range of electrical components.</p><p>Gracie secured her place in the final of the competition after impressing the judges during the South Regional Heats and achieving first-place. Her precision and skill were demonstrated throughout both competitions, gaining recognition from her peers and competitors as well as the judges for her excellent accuracy, time-management and attention to detail.</p><p>Having taken part in the competition last year, Gracie came into this year’s event with a clear goal to beat her previous performance. She dedicated time to practicing installations that she felt less confident with, including lighting circuits and unfamiliar wiring setups.</p><p>After winning the South Regional Heats and securing her place in the final, Gracie added, “During the competition, I felt very nervous as I wanted to do well and demonstrate my best work. After the competition, I felt very proud of the work I had completed. I performed better than I did last year and that was my main aim.”</p><drupal-entity alt=""Gracie using a screwdriver to secure her electrical installation at the competition"" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="113e8e26-ea84-4d56-9acb-7dba27e8c741" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_500x500","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity><p> </p><p>Not only did Gracie show massive improvements from last year’s competition, but she also did herself and Weston College extremely proud. Gracie was stunned when she not only received the amazing title of <strong>SPARKS Female Skills Winner 2025</strong>, but she also got a range of tools and goodies and a fantastic cash prize to put towards her future.</p><p>The <strong>SPARKS Female Skills Competition</strong> is a great way for young females from all over the country to show their skills and compete with likeminded individuals. Competitions like these encourage future generations to take up trades courses and break down stereotypes in largely male-dominated subject areas.</p><p>Gracie also highlighted the fantastic benefits to the competition, saying, “it gives you a chance to meet others going through the same journey, and to push yourself to see what you can achieve under time constraints.”</p><p>Andy Fisher, one of our Electrotechnical Lecturers, has worked closely with Gracie throughout her time at Weston College, saying "Gracie is an exceptional student who works extremely hard in every task she completes. Her place in the final reflects the quality of work she produces. She is always millimetre perfect and very tidy with her installations and has always been such a pleasure to teach.</p><p>"As a lecturer, it’s an amazing competition to get the chance to attend with them and you can tell it means a lot to them too. Not only this, it’s also a phenomenal thing to put on their CV and Gracie has gone above and beyond with her achievement!"</p><p>Well done to all of the students who took part, and a massive well done to Gracie for this fantastic achievement and for representing the college with an amazing display of professionalism and maturity throughout both competitions!</p><p>If you would like to find out more about our Electrical Installation courses, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan… here</a>.</p><p>If you are interested in apprenticeship opportunities, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/apprenticeships?utm_source=ma… here</a>.</p>
