COURSES FOR SCHOOL LEAVERS
Your Future Starts Here
With hundreds of exciting courses, this is where your journey begins. From day one, you'll be supported, inspired, and on track to a rewarding career.
See SubjectsJoin a Career Excellence Hub and gain real-world skills, experience, and confidence to reach your goals.
Whether you're finishing school, changing direction, or learning English with our ESOL courses – we’ve got you covered.
Get started today – pick a subject and apply online in just 5 minutes!
Find Your Future Path
QUALIFICATIONS EXPLAINED
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.
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 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.
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.
LATEST NEWS
Weston College and University Centre Weston (UCW) has been awarded £216,305.08 through the UK Government’s Turing Scheme, opening life-changing international opportunities for learners across Further and Higher Education for this academic year.
The funding will support placements this academic year in Canada, the USA, Indonesia, and Thailand, giving students the chance to immerse themselves in new cultures, develop global citizenship skills, and gain hands-on industry experience.
Hudson’s Hope/Vancouver, Canada – Inclusive Practice learners will volunteer and gain work experience in a supportive community.
New York, USA – Creative and Health Industries learners will engage in workshops, networking and industry experiences.
Bali, Indonesia – Students will take part in sustainability and global citizenship projects. This trip will cost learners just £150.
Chiang Mai, Thailand – A second sustainability and citizenship placement. This trip will cost learners just £150.
New York, USA (UCW) – Performing Arts students will continue to build professional links with the Broadway Dance Centre.
Information for learners interested in these opportunities will be launched at the upcoming Freshers Fair on 23rd September 2025.
The Turing Scheme, the UK’s global programme for studying and working abroad, enables students—especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds—to gain the confidence, skills, and international experience that employers value.
Ben Knocks, Deputy Principal, said: “This funding is truly transformative. For many of our learners, these placements are opportunities they never imagined possible. The Turing Scheme gives our students the chance to develop professionally and personally in a way that is life changing.”
Principal and CEO, Pat Jones added: “We are proud that Weston College and University Centre Weston continues to be recognised with significant Turing funding. These projects will not only broaden horizons but also showcase the extraordinary potential of our students on the global stage.”
When applying to university, there are a range of things to consider before you make such an important decision regarding your future. There are many factors to research ahead of applying and we want to ensure you are fully informed, so you make the right choice for you.
During the application process, it is important to take your time exploring your options. This decision has a big impact on your future career and your personal and professional development.
University can seem daunting, but everyone feels the same – you are not alone! University can be a fantastic experience where you will not only deepen your knowledge on a subject, but also get the chance to broaden your horizons and meet new people, making potentially lifelong friends.
We want you to feel ready when applying to university so here are some top tips of things to consider during your application process and what to research when making the right choices for you:
WHICH LEVEL IS RIGHT FOR ME?
