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
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW255438541 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-user-drag:none;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);clear:both;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);cursor:text;direction:ltr;font-family:"Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px;orphans:2;overflow:visible;padding:0px;position:relative;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;user-select:text;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;"><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Over the last couple weeks, not only have the Esports course upgraded their systems and facilities, but the students have also had the pleasure of receiving a talk by the former head coach and current assistant coach of Fnatic, Jake “mini” Harris. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Fnatic is one of the top Esports organisations in the world and “mini” shared his journey with the students of how he became the coach of one of the world’s top Valorant teams. He discussed the importance of fostering a team culture of openness, professionalism, and communication as this was the key to Fnatic's continued success. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The main message that “mini” provided the students was that to be successful in anything, not just the Esports community, hard work is required, and a lot of additional time invested beyond the time you get within a classroom environment. It is also very important to network within your desired industry and get involved in events so you can get your name out there.</span></p><drupal-entity alt=""Jake 'mini' Harris professional talk to students"" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="de95c7d5-97ec-4cbe-8f8b-d220afa13960" 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></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW255438541 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-user-drag:none;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);clear:both;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);cursor:text;direction:ltr;font-family:"Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px;orphans:2;overflow:visible;padding:0px;position:relative;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;user-select:text;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;"><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">In order to provide more opportunities for the students and help them progress, Weston College have upgraded their Alienware computers to a new setup based around ggRock, a system that is used by the top Esports colleges in the UK. </span></p><drupal-entity alt=""ggRock upgraded computer systems"" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="209378ab-14bb-4952-b56e-ad91e2d7502e" 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 style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Not only this, a brand new streaming room has been installed which will be used on a weekly basis in tandem with the British Esports games once they get up and running. The students will also be using it for their Live Streaming, Shoutcasting, and Events modules. </span></p><drupal-entity alt=""New Streaming Setup"" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="519f6640-470c-4ba1-b872-b26a749a9d6f" 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><span style="font-size:inherit;">On top of this, British Esports even requested to stream our Esports students’ first Valorant game on the main British Esports stream this week which has over 10.3K followers. To watch their stream, click the video below.</span></p><p><iframe src="https://player.twitch.tv/?video=2271591989&parent=www.weston.ac.uk&…; frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" scrolling="no" height="378" width="620"></iframe></p><p> </p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Students who choose an Esports course can progress to university or an apprenticeship and have many career options available to them including Computing, Digital Marketing, Media, Sports, Business, and Esports. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Even if you’re unfamiliar with Esports, that’s okay! As long as you have some kind of interest in gaming, the course allows you to develop your skills and explore potential pathways with excellent equipment, staff and facilities at your disposal. One lecturer, Will, says the most important attribute for a student considering Esports is for them to have a ‘positive attitude and a willingness to learn’. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">A big thank you to Jake “mini” Harris for telling his fantastic story, providing advice, and encouraging our learners to pursue their desired pathways. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/compu…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/compu…; target="_blank">If you would like to study an Esports course at Weston College, click here.</a></p></div>
<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Weston College is proud to welcome back two of its former Protective Services students, Dionne and Cameron, who have recently embarked on exciting careers as Emergency Care Assistants (ECAs) within the ambulance service. The pair will be returning to the college to inspire the latest cohort of students, sharing their experiences and insights into the dynamic and life-saving world of emergency care. </p><p>Dionne and Cameron, who both studied our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/prote… Services program</u></a>, have seamlessly transitioned into the ambulance service after completing their training. As Emergency Care Assistants, they play a crucial role in providing urgent medical support and assisting paramedics in emergency situations—a career path that showcases the diverse opportunities available through our protective services provision. </p><p>Their visit marks a special opportunity for current students to gain real-world perspectives on careers within the healthcare sector, and particularly within emergency medical services. As Dionne and Cameron recounted their journeys from the classroom to the frontline, they offered invaluable advice, inspiration, and practical tips to those considering a career in public service. </p><p>“Dionne and Cameron came into college to introduce this year’s cohort to the interesting and invigorating world of the ambulance service”, said David Beresford, Head of Protective Services “demonstrating yet another rewarding career path stemming from our Protective Services provision.” </p><p>We are proud to offer a curriculum that equips students with the skills and knowledge to pursue meaningful and impactful careers across multiple sectors. Protective Services students, in particular, benefit from an education that fosters resilience, problem-solving, and teamwork—qualities essential in high-pressure careers such as the ambulance service. </p><p>Dionne and Cameron’s return not only highlights the varied career paths available through our courses but also underscores our commitment to developing future professionals who make a real difference in their communities. </p><p>This guest visit forms part of the Protective Services Careers Excellence Hub; Weston College is committed to preparing learners for success in a rapidly evolving job market which is reflected in our offer via our bespoke Career Excellence Hubs, which form an integral part of all college programmes. In a world where professional networks and industry-specific skills are integral to landing employment, these hubs provide a unique solution to bridge the gap between education and industry demands. </p><p>Interested in our Protective Services courses? <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/prote… here.</u></a> </p>
<p>Yesterday, we had the pleasure of welcoming 10 employers to our Construction T Level Employer Event with our <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/surve… Design, Surveying and Planning</a> students. The employers in attendance included:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.aww-uk.com/">AWW</a> </li><li><a href="https://gmi.co.uk/">GMI Construction</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.beardconstruction.co.uk/">Beard Construction</a> </li><li><a href="https://stmodwenhomes.co.uk/">St. Modwen Homes</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bandk.co.uk/">Bowmer and Kirkland </a></li><li><a href="https://www.willmottdixon.co.uk/">Willmott Dixon</a> </li><li>Mode Consult </li><li><a href="https://mjchurch.com/">MJ Church</a> </li><li><a href="https://stridetreglown.com/">Stride Treglown</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.fortem.co.uk/">Fortem</a></li></ul><p>The event provided an excellent opportunity for our learners to engage directly with local employers who are offering placements, whilst gaining valuable insights into the progression opportunities that can arise from completing the 315-hour industry placement.</p><p>The day kicked off with a series of 10-minute presentations from each employer, giving them the chance to showcase their offerings, while students identified the employers they were most eager to connect with.</p><p>Following the presentations, students ranked their top three employers, leading to a number of 10-minute speed interviews. These interviews allowed learners to directly speak with prospective placement providers, while employers had the opportunity to engage with potential future talent.</p><p>The event was a great success and provided immense value to our learners. A huge thank you to all employers who joined us and contributed to making the day so impactful!</p><p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/surve… find out more about our Construction: Design, Surveying and Planning T Level, click here.</a></p><p> </p>
