Qualifying For Success

All programmes of study at South Cheshire College lead to national qualifications recognised by employers, universities and professional bodies. There are five levels on offer at the college, including entry level. All levels can be studied on a full or part-time basis. Check out the Routes to Success and the details here to help you establish the level you may enter the college at.

NVQ Level 4
BTEC Higher National
Foundation Degrees

NVQ Level 3
BTEC National
AS and A-Level

NVQ Level 2
BTEC First Diploma
GCSE
Intermediate Level

NVQ Level 1
BTEC Introductory Award
Introductory Level

Entry Level

Courses of Study

AS and A-Levels - Advanced Subsidiary Level and Advanced Level

The College offers 38 subjects at AS and A-Level. Every year we have over 700 full-time students on A-Level courses. You may study up to five single subjects or you may choose to combine AS and A-Levels with other courses. The minimum entry requirement is 5 GCSE subjects at grade A-C. Some subjects may require a grade B in specific GCSE subjects. All A-Level students will follow a programme to develop their key skills during their studies and will also take part in the enrichment programme.

Foundation Degrees

Foundation Degrees (Fd) are the new, nationally recognised, higher education qualifications. They take two or three years to complete and are a dynamic mix of academic and work based learning. You can study full or part-time and the hours can be flexible to suit your needs.

A Foundation Degree is an attractive qualification to have when seeking employment in today's competitive job market. Employers are working with us to develop and deliver the courses and new graduates can apply their skills immediately.

The qualification is flexible and you can 'top up' a Foundation Degree to a Bachelors Degree (BSc / BA) at University later on, or you can stop studying once you have successfully gained your Foundation Degree - a qualification in its own right. Our Foundation Degrees are all validated by Manchester Metropolitan University, so it is possible to do the Fd at South Cheshire College, and then progress to MMU to complete the final year of your degree.

A key benefit to you is that you can gain a qualification at degree level without moving away from home, giving up your part-time job or losing touch with your friends in Cheshire. The fees for Foundation degrees are also surprisingly low when compared to doing a degree full-time at university.

BTEC Diplomas

At Entry, Introductory, First, National and Higher levels, these courses lead to nationally recognised, work-related qualifications and cover different career areas. You will follow a practical course which will enable you to gain the knowledge and skills you need at work. They may be studied full-time or part-time and are related to employment.

If you expect good GCSE results (4 grade Cs or above) you may go straight on to a National which is a two year course. If your results are below that level (Ds and Es at GCSE) you would be suited to a BTEC First which is a one year course. Higher Nationals are level 4 courses and have a National, Advanced or A-Level entry requirement. Work is assessed by a variety of methods - coursework, projects, assignments - and there may also be a written exam at the end of each unit taken. Many students studying on BTEC Diplomas go on to university after they have completed the course.

NVQs - National Vocational Qualifications

NVQs are job-related qualifications and focus on employment skills. An NVQ proves that you meet national standards set by employers and ensures that you can actually do the job. NVQs are available at 5 levels covering basic occupations at level 1 to professional occupations at level 5. NVQs are assessed by observing you at work, by the materials you produce or collect and by the questions asked of you. You may achieve an NVQ following a programme at college, combined with practical work placement and there are no time limits. NVQs are suitable for school leavers, people wishing to return to employment after a period out of work or employees who wish to gain a nationally-recognised qualification.

GCSEs

Most people take GCSEs during the last 2 years at school and they provide a route into higher level qualifications such as NVQs, BTECs and A-Levels. You are encouraged to take/retake English Language and Maths, if you have not achieved at least grade C and wish to do A-Levels or a BTEC National Diploma.

Entry Level

Entry Level programmes are designed for students who need to develop key skills before moving on to an NVQ Level 1 or foundation programme. Students can achieve a vocational award and/or key skills award from Edexcel. Students have an individual timetable to match their particular needs and interests. Some students will spend 1 year at entry level, others will follow the programme over 2 years.

Key Skills

Your tutors at college will work hard to help you develop your key skills. These skills will help you make the most of your study and make sure you stand out from the crowd when you apply for jobs or a further education course.

Application of number
Communication
Information Technology
Improving your own learning and performance
Working with others
Problem solving

Awarding Bodies

Awarding bodies provide accreditation for all of our courses at South Cheshire College. This means that students must meet national standards to achieve an award. Pass rates are high in all areas across college.