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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
Last month, our Level 3 Year 2 TV, Film & Creative Production students immersed themselves in the fast-paced world of live television through this multi-cam event. From planning and scripting, to rehearsing and refining every detail, they worked collaboratively to produce a high-quality project that reflected their creative ideas.
A multi-camera event involves producing or recording a live event using multiple cameras at the same time. This approach captures a variety of angles, such as wide shots, close-ups, and audience reactions which results in a dynamic, polished experience that feels similar to professional television broadcasts.
As part of their recent assessment, students were challenged to operate as a professional production teams and deliver their own 30-minute live TV shows. The result was two fantastic productions: ‘Real or AI’, a thought-provoking programme exploring the boundaries between reality and artificial intelligence, and ‘Film Watch’, a dynamic show for people passionate about film, featuring reviews, insights, and discussions.
This project was a fantastic opportunity for the students to develop their skills within the industry in a hands-on environment but also gain a deeper understanding of the technical demands of live broadcasting.
Not only did it have a positive impact on their professional development, but it also benefitted their personal growth, improving their teamworking skills, problem-solving under pressure, and communication skills by meeting strict deadlines and organising each role within their groups. The students demonstrated creativity, resilience, and professionalism throughout the process.
Aimee Gourlay, Deputy Head of Media, Games & Animation at Weston College, said, “This type of exercise is an excellent way for students to work together and apply their classroom knowledge to a real-world project. It is projects like this that engage our students, teaching them a range of techniques and giving them a glimpse into the diverse roles within the Media. In such a dynamic and growing industry, it is important that students get a taste for the possible career pathways they could consider once they have completed their course.”
Well done to every group involved for getting stuck into this project and producing high-quality work!
This project forms part of the Media and Communications 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.
Progress to the next level in Art, Film, Game and Graphic Design! At University Centre Weston (UCW) our students give us impressive feedback, with our latest National Student Survey results putting us above average in all nine areas! Find out more about our exceptional teaching, wellbeing services and learning resources by visiting our website. Click here!
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 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.
As we approach the festive break, we want to make sure you have access to support if you need it while the college is closed.
Please find below a list of contacts and organisations who can offer help over the holidays:
📞 Hopeline UK – 0800 068 4141
📱 Text SHOUT – 85258
☎️ Samaritans – 116 123
🏥 NHS Medical & Mental Health Support – 111
Click here to see more safeguarding resources
Have a wonderful break and see you in January
Learners from the T Level Digital Production, Design and Development course recently took part in the West of England Transport Data Hackathon, a collaborative industry-led event hosted by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority in partnership with AECOM.
The hackathon brought together students, industry professionals and researchers, giving learners a valuable opportunity to work alongside experts in the field while attempting to overcome real-world transport challenges using authentic datasets and digital tools.
Over the course of the week, learners worked in teams to address challenges linked to the region’s Integrated Micromobility Service (IMS), which manages shared e-scooters, e-bikes and e-cargo bikes across Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath. Teams were encouraged to think creatively, explore open datasets and develop innovative digital solutions, with several choosing to design websites or applications using Python.
To conclude the week, students created a formal presentation and presented them in their Bristol offices, showcasing their solutions to a judging panel and responding to questions about their technical decisions, data insights and potential real-world impact.
Participation in the hackathon enabled learners to develop and demonstrate a broad range of skills, including programming and coding, data analysis and statistical thinking, as well as transferable skills such as collaboration, communication and critical problem-solving. Learners also gained first-hand experience of working with live transport data and addressing challenges faced by the region.
By engaging directly with real transport systems, learners enhanced their employability and gained a deeper understanding of how digital skills can be applied to encourage change. Events such as this hackathon provide invaluable insight into the industry, empowering students to build confidence, apply their classroom knowledge, and prepare for potential careers in digital and data transport solutions.
Well done to all the students involved, they presented themselves with professionalism and maturity and engaged well with industry professionals.
This curriculum project forms part of the Computing and Digital 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.
Progress to the next level in Computing and Digital! At University Centre Weston (UCW) our students give us impressive feedback, with our latest National Student Survey results putting us above average in all nine areas! Find out more about our exceptional teaching, wellbeing services and learning resources by visiting our website. Click here!
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 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.
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