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 []">Weston College was delighted to welcome back distinguished alumna and BBC journalist Sophie Long this week as she officially opened the college’s new Weston Waves Podcast & Audio Suite at Loxton Campus. </p><drupal-entity alt=""Sophie Long, Joe Abdulgani, Gina Hele and Mel Edmonds smile next to the new podcast suite"" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3887595c-ca58-44a1-b73a-eb56d70cbf08" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity><p> </p><p>Sophie, who studied <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level… Levels</a> at Weston College, has gone on to build an impressive career across both radio and television. She began her journalism journey at local stations including BBC Radio Cornwall and BBC Radio Shropshire, before progressing to national BBC News where she reported all over the world. She is now working as a Freelance Journalist and Moderator and trains others to create compelling content and communicate with impact. </p><p>Returning to Weston College to open the new facility marked a special moment, celebrating both Sophie’s career journey and the college’s continued investment in industry-relevant learning spaces. </p><p>Speaking at the launch, Sophie Long said: </p><p>“It has been amazing to see the fantastic new facilities at Weston College and meet some of the students who will benefit from them. The Media landscape is so different now from the one I entered nearly 30 years ago and it’s lovely to see how the facilities have been updated to prepare students to go off into the ever-changing world of Media. It is such a dynamic industry, so it is great to see that students have access to such high-quality equipment and opportunities within Weston College and I’m excited to hear more about the work they create within this new podcast suite in the future.” </p><p>The Weston Waves Podcast & Audio Suite has been designed to give students hands-on experience in a professional studio environment, supporting courses in <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat…;, Journalism and the creative industries. The facility enables students to develop real-world skills in audio production, podcasting and digital storytelling, reflecting the evolving demands of the modern media landscape. </p><p>The suite is a modern, flexible and student-focused space, fully sound-proofed to allow for crisp, broadcast-quality audio. At its centre is a contemporary podcast table featuring four RØDE broadcast microphones on adjustable boom arms, with studio headphones for each participant — ideal for interviews, panel discussions and collaborative podcast recording. </p><p>Professional recording equipment supports multi-track audio capture, while a large mobile TV screen provides additional versatility. The screen can be used to display show notes, visual prompts or video calls with remote contributors, allowing the space to adapt easily to different production formats. </p><p>Students are also supported by a dedicated technician, who assists with studio setup, sound monitoring and production techniques. This ensures learners can focus on creativity while gaining practical experience of working in a real studio setting. </p><p>In addition to the main recording space, the suite includes a dedicated Foley area for sound effects creation. Equipped with a range of surfaces, props and recording tools, this space allows students to produce bespoke sound effects — from footsteps and ambient noise to object interactions — supporting projects in podcasting, film and immersive audio.</p><p> </p>
<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Last month, our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat…; students organised a pet photoshoot for members of the public to bring in their dogs, giving our students hands-on experience working with clients and building their confidence and skills. </p><p>This photoshoot is always an extremely popular event due to the professionalism and high-quality photographs produced by the students. Not only do these create fantastic keepsakes for owners, but students also learn the challenges of working with clients in a candid and fast-paced environment. </p><p>During this shoot, students got to work with a variety of dogs breeds, getting to know their individual differences which taught them to alter their techniques depending on the dogs’ mannerisms, personality, and needs. This increased the students’ adaptability, resilience, and communication skills which is required for a career in <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… event is often a highlight for both the students, and the community. It encourages interaction and engagement, and provides students with invaluable insight into the industry, experiencing both the challenges and the rewards of working with clients. </p><p>The photographs captured by the students were amazing, with one client sharing their feedback, saying: "My dogs are quite hyper and rarely like to do what they're told, however, the students were great at making them feel calm and helping me handle them to get some really amazing photos. They were very polite and professional and knew how to chat to me and my dogs to make us feel comfortable which is half the battle. This event seems like a fantastic opportunity for students to work with external clients, build on their skills, and get some really amazing photographs to add to their portfolio and I'm so happy with mine!" </p><p>A huge well done to all the students involved, you acted professionally and politely throughout the experience and produced some fantastic work! </p><p>This event forms part of the <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><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>Weston College is celebrating the launch of its first cohort of <strong>Engineering Foundation Apprenticeships</strong>, with 21 learners enrolling with <strong>GKN Aerospace</strong> this week. This represents almost <strong>two thirds of all Foundation Apprenticeship starts nationally</strong> since the programme launched in August 2025.</p><p>The milestone comes as new national figures show that just 36 Foundation Apprentices have started across England in the first three months of the government-backed initiative, highlighting the significance of <strong>Weston College’s early progress</strong> in delivering the programme with <strong>GKN Aerospace</strong>.</p><p>Introduced by the government in August 2025, the <strong>Engineering Foundation Apprenticeship</strong> is designed to provide a <strong>supportive entry route into technical careers for young people</strong> who may not yet be ready to start a full Level 2 apprenticeship. <strong>Weston College’s partnership with GKN Aerospace</strong> has resulted in one of the largest early cohorts nationally, positioning the College and the employer as early adopters of the new pathway.</p><p>The 21 apprentices were officially onboarded this week, with <strong>Weston College</strong> staff attending the <strong>GKN Aerospace</strong> site to support induction and welcome learners onto the programme.</p><p>All recruits are enrolled on the <strong>Engineering Foundation Apprenticeship</strong>, which places emphasis on <strong>attitude, curiosity and motivation</strong>, rather than formal academic achievement. There are no minimum academic entry requirements, ensuring the programme is accessible to young people with the potential to succeed in engineering.</p><p>The <strong>Foundation Apprenticeship lasts eight months</strong> and is delivered through a block-release model, shared between Weston College and GKN Aerospace. The programme begins with a strong focus on <strong>employability skills, confidence building and workplace behaviour</strong>s, before progressing into technical learning and practical industry experience.</p><p>On completion, learners can move on to a <strong>Level 2 Engineering Operative Apprenticeship</strong>, followed by a possible progression onto a <strong>Level 3 Engineering Technician Apprenticeship</strong>, creating a clear progression and career development pathway within the sector.</p><p><strong>GKN Aerospace</strong> has taken a deliberately different and innovative approach to recruitment for the programme, focusing on potential rather than prior attainment. By removing minimum academic entry requirements and working closely with Weston College to reach young people who are NEET or at risk of becoming NEET, the company <strong>has widened access to engineering careers while building a strong future talent pipeline for the business</strong>.</p><p>The new apprentices have spoken positively about the opportunity and their future ambitions in engineering. Harry said: “I am excited about starting this foundation apprenticeship. I see it as an excellent entry point into a great career. I am passionate about mechanical and scientific work and prefer hands-on learning, which is why an apprenticeship is the ideal route for me. I am committed to building a long-term career with GKN Aerospace and am open to progressing to higher qualification levels in the future.”</p><p>Rubie added: “This feels like the right opportunity for me as it aligns with my long-standing interest in engineering. I want to pursue my career ambitions while I am young and see this apprenticeship as a strong foundation for the future. I am open to seeing where the apprenticeship leads but would like to work towards a Level 6 qualification in the long term.”</p><p>With employer demand continuing to grow and further cohorts already under discussion, Weston College believes its partnership-led approach could help accelerate the national take-up of <strong>Foundation Apprenticeships</strong>.</p>
