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 night, our Creative Arts Careers Excellence Hub came together to produce a fantastic preview evening of the Summer Showcase which exhibited the work of our Weston College and University Centre Weston (UCW) <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds-creat… Arts</u></a> students, giving them the chance to display their incredible work, not only to their peers and lecturers, but also to their friends, family, members of the public and potential employers. The exhibition will continue to run every weekday between 9:00am-4:30pm until 20th June at Loxton Campus so everyone can experience the creativity and achievements of our students. </p><p>This exhibition consists of a mixture of <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/art-d… & Design</u></a>, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat…;, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/art-d…;, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat…;, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… & Animation</u></a>, and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/art-d… Design</u></a> student work, where they display their amazing Final Projects to not only present their hard work and professional development, but also network with people and gain connections with possible employers. </p><p>Sandra Bull, Assistant Principal for this area commented: “The College’s Summer Showcase celebrates individualism of our students, showing different interpretations and styles in a range of mediums. It allows students to express the background behind their work, the process that accompanies it, and the messages and meanings behind them to create a holistic appreciation for the students and their artwork being presented.” </p><p>“I am so proud of how the student have developed both personally and professionally since September and being able to put on this showcase is just one way for us to celebrate how proud every member of staff is of our students. “ </p><p>On arrival at the preview evening, people were greeted by students serving glasses of Elderflower fizz and canapés to welcome their guests, alongside our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music… and Performance</u></a> students playing live music in the foyer to set the tone of this fantastic celebration.</p><p>Throughout the exhibition, there are a range of pieces on display throughout the classrooms, from sculptures and fashion designs, to a gallery of photographs, graphics and artwork. The Media faculty even created their own in-house theatre with popcorn and red carpets to display the fantastic films and Final Projects that the students have been working hard on. </p><p>The event has been displayed extremely professionally, with each classroom acting as a gallery, with artwork and podiums lining the white walls so each student has their own designated space to exhibit their work. Last night’s preview event had a fantastic turnout, with everyone admiring and complimenting the attention to detail that had gone into each piece of work. </p><p>Both the staff and the students worked extremely hard to put this showcase together, giving everyone from all years, levels and disciplines the chance to present their work to the public. Many students were in disbelief at seeing how their projects came together when displayed professionally, feeling proud of their work and expressing their gratitude to have this opportunity. </p><p>Kyle, one of our Level 3 <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… and Animation</u></a> students, shared his thoughts on the event, saying, “Having my artwork being displayed actually feels quite lifechanging and surreal because, a lot of the time, I kept my artwork to myself in fear of judgement, but to actually have it up on the wall like this and seeing it being appreciated has actually changed my perspective on my work.” </p><p>This Summer Showcase forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds-creat… Arts</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><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="1 1 []">Since leaving Weston College, Charlie Williams has earned a BA in Multimedia Journalism at the University of Essex and a Master’s in Political Communication at the University of Leeds, appeared on BBC Radio 4, reported for the <em>Weston Mercury</em>, and been elected as the youngest councillor on Weston Town Council. Now working in Bristol and eyeing a future in national journalism — and even a PhD — Charlie’s journey is nothing short of inspiring.</p><p>Charlie studied <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level… Levels</a> in History, Politics, and Law at Weston College’s Loxton Campus between 2016 and 2018. Charlie chose Weston College over other local options, realising that Weston College offered the best environment for him to study. “I also knew many people who studied there and everybody from my school was also going to the College,” he says. “So, it was a no-brainer really!”</p><p>Despite his successes, Charlie’s path wasn’t without challenges. He describes the step up from GCSEs to A Levels as the toughest academic leap he’s experienced — even harder than the transition to university. “The best skill I learnt was 100% organisational skills and time management,” he says, reflecting on the content-heavy demands of his subjects. With limited access to resources at home, including no personal laptop and unaffordable textbooks, Charlie relied on the support of his teachers to stay on track. “With the help of my amazing teachers, I ended up getting the hang of things.”</p><p>Charlie speaks fondly about his lecturers and looks back upon the positive impact of his second-year History tutor, who brought a fresh perspective, and his Law lecturer, whose unorthodox teaching style made a lasting impression.</p><p>After Weston College, Charlie studied a BA in Multimedia Journalism at the University of Essex, securing placements with the BBC and appearing on Radio 4’s <em>The World at One</em>. He then returned home to join the <em>Weston Mercury</em>, where he investigated public spending around the See Monster exhibition — a piece he proudly calls his “magnum opus.”</p><p>His involvement in the local community continued when he was elected as a councillor for Haywood Village, becoming the youngest member of Weston Town Council. In a full-circle moment, he played a key role in relocating the council offices to the former <em>Mercury</em> building — the very newsroom where he once worked as a journalist. “I must be one of very few people in the world to ever say that I was part of the process to change my old work office and continue to work there under a different organisation!”</p><p>Charlie then went on to complete a master's in political communication at the University of Leeds, graduating with distinction and achieving the highest grades in his programme.</p><p>Today, he works in Bristol and hopes to secure a role at a national newspaper, hoping to pursue a PhD in the future. “Since leaving Weston College, I have achieved: a BA and master’s degree, was a reporter with my local paper and have been elected a councillor,” he says.</p><p>Would he recommend Weston College? “Yes, because of the wide-ranging courses they offer. It's not just A Levels — it's everything, and I think that's a very good thing indeed.”</p><p>Charlie’s journey shows how a strong foundation, hard work, and the right support can open up a wide range of opportunities. From studying A Levels at Weston College to working in journalism and the local council, he’s made the most of each step along the way. We look forward to seeing where his path takes him next.</p>
<p>Last week, our <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… </a>and <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… </a>students visited the Bristol Hippodrome to gain work experience photographing the performing arts venue. They photographed both the interior and exterior as well as the staff at work.</p><p>This was a fantastic opportunity for the students to gain valuable, hands-on experience, learning more about Press photography, portraiture, and working within creative arts in a popular and well-known venue.</p><drupal-entity alt=""Photography students sat on the steps of the Bristol Hippodrome smiling"" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cb37b837-2633-4987-b6c8-644274e53710" 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>During the visit, students received a tour of the building, got a behind-the-scenes look at rehearsals for the performance, War Horse, where they were warming up vocals and fitness, and met members of the Bristol Hippodrome staff.</p><p>The day began with the students capturing some interior photography of the bar, lounge, auditorium and foyer areas to take promotional photos of the venue using the correct lighting, angles and camera modes.</p><p>Following lunch in the Grand Bar, the students then shot more photos from the exterior of the building which was a great way for students to learn to adapt between natural and artificial lighting.</p><p>Not only did they learn about the different settings required for public venues, but they also got to consider how to be more discrete when taking photos in such a high-profile environments, making sure to capture up-close and detailed photos without causing disruption or distractions.</p><drupal-entity alt=""Student standing taking a photograph in the auditorium"" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="eab32247-6838-4fe4-8d8b-d5c0393844b2" 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>During the day they improved their compositional techniques when framing their photographs which allowed them to achieve a variety of shots and develop their portfolios. </p><p>Sam Brooks, one of our <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… </a>lecturers at Weston College, expressed the impact that this experience had on the students’ personal and professional development, saying, “This opportunity introduced our students to high-profile client work with a leading Performing Arts venue. It provided them with invaluable practical experience and the chance to network within a dynamic industry that has a high demand for talented photographers — one we hope to collaborate with again in the future.”</p><p>Thank you to the Bristol Hippodrome for accommodating our students and giving them this fantastic opportunity. </p><p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… you’re interested in applying to one of our Photography or Media courses, click here.</a></p><p>This curriculum trip forms part of the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… </a>and <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… </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><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 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>
