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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
Three lecturers have become Weston College’s first graduates from a Master’s degree delivered in partnership with the University of the West of England (UWE).
Mark Harvey, James Hazzard and Gill Cook were all presented with the award of MA in Education at a graduation ceremony held at UWE.
The first 60 credits (PGCert stage) of the degree were delivered through tutorial sessions at Weston College, with candidates completing the rest of the award through taught sessions at UWE and independent research.
Mark, who is the Programme Coordinator for degree courses in Uniformed and Public Services, said: “The course fitted well around my work commitments and has enhanced my knowledge. The support from Weston College gave me the confidence to engage fully in the course and embrace the challenges it held.”
James, who teaches further education (FE) and higher education (HE) courses in Sport and has recently taken on a role in HE Quality and Curriculum, said: “The College encouraged and supported me to complete the MA in Education, which was tailored to meet the needs of a full-time employee, focusing on twilight lectures and flexible tutorial meetings. The one-to-one support at the College was outstanding and really helped me to develop the skills to enter the research project phase of the course.
“The course has allowed me to develop research skills that are transferable to a number of areas within the profession, as well as developing knowledge enabling me to further support Higher Education learners at Weston College.
“The course was very challenging but ultimately rewarding, and the skills I have acquired have encouraged me to potentially progress onto Doctorate research and become involved in teaching the MA programme at Weston College and UWE.”
Gill, who is the Programme Co-ordinator for degree courses in Animal and Equine Management and a Tutorial Champion for the Business, Management and IT Faculty, said: “The MA has enhanced my ability to support students through the research process and allowed me to expand my teaching to research-based modules within our Foundation Degrees.
“It has also supported my tutoring at FE level and supported my role as Senior Tutor to guide and advise the Faculty on the most effective way to use tutorial and support systems.
“The course was really enjoyable and the support from Weston College tutors was excellent.”
The degree is now open for applications from suitably qualified members of the public wanting to study the first stage at Weston College. Please contact the Higher Education team at Weston College to find out more: he.unit@weston.ac.uk
A former Weston College student is to become one of the youngest people in the country to be awarded a doctorate, after her work with local charity Integrate Bristol successfully raised the awareness of Muslim women’s rights issues.
Fahma Mohamed, 19, who studied Access to Higher Education at Weston College, is to be awarded an honorary Doctorate in Laws by the University of Bristol on Friday (15th July).
She gained prominence after her successful campaign to raise awareness of female genital mutilation (FGM) gained the attention of the former Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove.
The petition led to training to help teachers, doctors and social workers identify and assist girls at risk of FGM.
Sarah McLaughlin, Lecturer and Study Skills Tutor for Access to HE, congratulated her by saying: “We are extremely proud of Fahma and are delighted that her dedication to raise awareness of such an important issue has been recognised.
“She has worked diligently to achieve her Access to Higher Education diploma and her commitment to her charity work prior to and during her studies, is commendable.”
Access to Higher Education is a course designed to give adult learners the qualifications they need to get into university.
Fahma studied the Medical Sciences pathway, successfully completing the course in June this year. She will progress to study Biomedical Science at Kings College London this September.
WHICH LEVEL IS RIGHT FOR ME?
