COURSES FOR SCHOOL LEAVERS
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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
Students on Weston College’s UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design have recently completed an impactful project titled “Visual Rebellion: The Rule Breakers”, showcasing their creativity and critical thinking through bold artistic exploration.
The UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design is a 1-year pre-degree course designed to give students the opportunity to trial a wide range of mediums before specialising. It is completely free to all students, allowing you to get a foundation diploma which you often get at university. It provides valuable time for learners to refine their skills, explore their interests, and prepare for progression into higher education or creative industries.
The project encouraged learners to break formal rules in art and design, using their work to express authentic beliefs and challenge social, political, and personal conventions. Themes explored included political and social issues, personal experiences, and the boundaries of scale and material use.
Throughout the project, students investigated influential artists who cover topics such as propaganda, war, corruption, and exploitation. The aim was to provoke thought, foster creativity, and stimulate dialogue through art that carries personal meaning and relevance.
The first part of the project focused on research, including a trip to Bristol and seminars on research methodologies. Learners explored five avenues of “Visual Rebellion”, collecting imagery and presenting their findings digitally.
Over the following weeks, students rotated through specialist pathways including Surface & Form, Interdisciplinary Fine Art, and Visual Communication, breaking the project down into three different outcomes of the Visual Rebellion theme across the 6-week period. Students also took part in practical workshops which offered hands-on experience in digital media, printmaking, 3D design, collage, lens-based work, and illustrative sewing. This was a fantastic opportunity for them to trial a range of mediums and figure out which form of art was their preferred pathway.
Each learner maintained a record of their journey through sketchbooks and personal blogs, documenting research, workshop outcomes, and reflections which built their portfolios and showcased the effort and research gone into their artwork. The project concluded with a thorough evaluation of each pathway and the overall experience.
This course is a fantastic opportunity for students who are unsure what they want to do and who fancy exploring new ways to express themselves through art. Whether you have formally studied art before does not matter too much on this course, all you need is to have completed a Level 3 course and have a passion for creativity.
Well done to all the students and the amazing work they have produced so far!
This project forms part of the UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design 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 Creative Arts! 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.
Weston College’s annual CareersFest returned this week, transforming the Winter Gardens Pavilion into a vibrant hub of opportunity and inspiration.
Designed to spark ambition and help learners explore their future options, the event brought together an extensive mix of pathways from apprenticeships and university routes to specialised training and employer-led careers.
This year’s CareersFest welcomed over 1,000 Weston College learners, alongside more than 26 employers, 12 Higher Education providers, and a range of Weston College support teams.
The venue was filled with energy as exhibitors shared insights with learners, and answered questions that they had. Well-known organisations such as Airbus, Avon and Somerset Police, Babcock, Handelsbanken, and the Royal Navy were among those engaging with learners.
Universities were also out in force, including Royal Holloway, University of London, the University of Bath, University of Plymouth, the University of South Wales and UWE Bristol, offering guidance for those considering higher education.
Anna Holton, Head of Careers and Employability at Weston College, reflected on the impact of the event: “CareersFest gives our learners the chance to truly see what their futures could look like. The conversations they have here can spark ideas, build confidence, and open doors.
“At Weston College we champion ‘careers, not courses,’ and events like this help bring that philosophy to life. We’re delighted with the enthusiasm from both exhibitors and learners this year, and we're excited to see how these interactions shape their next steps.”
The Careers and Employability Team is on hand to provide ongoing support. Learners can get in touch at cet@weston.ac.uk or visit the team’s webpage for more information.
At our Careers Fest, students had the chance to chat to big name employers and universities about their future!✨
Degree Apprentice Jack Lewis has been crowned the Association of Colleges (AoC) Apprentice of the Year at the annual AoC Conference and Exhibition, an event that celebrates exceptional students from colleges across England.
The national awards recognise individuals who have excelled academically while making significant contributions to their colleges, workplaces, and communities. As always, the competition was fierce, with a high volume of outstanding applications from across the country.
Jack is currently studying at University Centre Weston (UCW), following in the footsteps of UCW alumnus Kam Stevens, who previously won the Higher Education Student of the Year award at the AoC Awards in 2023.
A Level 6 Manufacturing Engineering degree apprentice working at Singer Instruments, Jack distinguished himself through the substantial real-world impact he has had on the organisation.
He introduced advanced 3D-printing technologies that transformed manufacturing processes, reduced environmental impact, and significantly cut production costs. His redesign of microscope components not only removed the need for hazardous chloroform but also reduced the unit cost from £24 to just 17 pence, dramatically improving both safety and efficiency.
Jack, said: "I’m incredibly proud to have been named Apprentice of the Year. It’s an amazing feeling to see the work I’m so passionate about recognised at a national level. I want to say a huge thank-you to the engineering and apprenticeship teams at Weston College and UCW for their support and belief in me throughout my journey. I’m also grateful to everyone at Singer Instruments for giving me the opportunity to learn, innovate, and make a real impact."
Pat Jones, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, added:
“We are delighted for Jack – his outstanding work truly deserves this recognition. Jack has set a new benchmark for what apprenticeships can achieve. Starting as a BTEC placement student, he returned as Singer Instruments’ first Level 6 engineering apprentice and has since driven transformative innovation.
“Congratulations, Jack. We look forward to seeing your career continue to thrive.”
If you would like to follow in Jack’s footsteps, you can discover our apprenticeships here.
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