Foundation Degrees (Fd) are 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 / BEng) 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 either Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Chester or University of Wolverhampton, so it is possible to do the Fd at South Cheshire College, and then progress to a local univesity 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 - usually just over a third of the corresponding university course tuition cost. [BACK TO TOP]

The College offers 40 subjects at AS and A-Level, plus a number of BTEC Level 3 Certificates, which are the equivalent of an AS-Level and are included in the A-Level programme. Every year we have over 700 full-time students on A-Level courses. Most students take 4 AS-Levels in their first year, and continue with 3 of these to A2-Level in the second year. High achieving students may study up to five single subjects. The minimum entry requirement is 5 GCSE subjects at grade A* to C including English Language and Maths. Some subjects may require a higher grade in specific GCSE subjects. All A-Level students will also follow an enrichment programme, and will take additional functional skills if necessary, to ensure that they achieve to their best potential at the College.

South Cheshire College's enrichment programme includes the offer of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), AQA Baccalaureate and YASS programme, to extend the skills and make high achieving students more desirable to top universities. [BACK TO TOP]

BTEC programmes, which are available at all levels up to level 3 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. There is a clear progression route for most BTEC programmes, so that students can work their way up through a series of qualifications at different levels.

If you expect good GCSE results (4 grade Cs or above) you may go straight on to a Level 3 Extended (used to be National Diploma) which is a two year course. If your results are Ds and Es at GCSE you would be suited to a BTEC Level 2 (used to be a First Diploma) which is a one year course. 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 Level 3 Diplomas go on to study the College's Foundation Degrees or progress to university after they have completed the course. [BACK TO TOP]

The Diploma is a new qualification for 14-19 year-olds, taking you through from Year 10 to Year 13 at school and college. It's a different qualification to GCSEs and A-Levels, and teaches you about an area of work you're interested in. You get a mix of theoretical and applied learning in your specialist subject, plus you can still study other subjects alongside, which interest you.

In addition to the specialist knowledge you'll gain in the subject you choose, the Diploma also includes essential skills like English, Maths and ICT.

South Cheshire College works with local schools in the delivery of a range of Diplomas at Foundation and Higher level for 14-16 year-olds, and from 2010 is offering progression to the Advanced Diploma in a number of subjects, which will be delivered fully at the College. [BACK TO TOP]

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. [BACK TO TOP]

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.

From September 2010, Level 1 and Entry Level programmes are replaced by the new Foundation Learning Curriculum, which encompasses both levels of learning.

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.

Level 1

The BTEC Introductory Diplomas and Certificates are being retitled from 2010 as BTEC Level 1 Diplomas and Certificates. These give a good introduction to the subject of your choice, and successful completion will allow you to move on to a Level 2 course. [BACK TO TOP]

Your tutors at college will work hard to help you develop your functional 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 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. [BACK TO TOP]