Education

Need Advice?

Call: 0808 00 13-2-19

Text: 077664 13-2-19

Chat/Email:
www.connexions-direct.com

13+ Information About Courses

Are you in Year 8 or Year 9 and thinking about which courses to take?

We've given you some information on this page about the courses that may be available in your school and area. You can also check out your area's local online prospectus to see which courses your school offers:

Consortium schools and colleges

Some schools and colleges work together as a 'consortium'. This means that they can offer you a wider range of courses including the new Diplomas. You might go to a different college campus/school to do a particular subject.

Whatever you're thinking of doing, make sure you get some advice from your teachers or Personal Adviser.

Why not see how the various levels and types of qualifications fit together

There's also the Which Way Now website with lots more information about the subjects on offer as part of your Y9 choices.

Courses Fact File

GCSEs

There’s a wide range of subjects on offer including subjects you have already studied in and new subjects you haven’t taken before. GCESs are usually assessed by a mixture of coursework and exams - although some courses now have no or limited coursework so do check this out if you are keen on coursework.

Some GCSE subjects are double awards – equivalent to two traditional GCSEs - for example

  • Applied art & design
  • Applied business
  • Applied ICT
  • Applied science
  • Double science
  • Engineering
  • Health & social care
  • Leisure & tourism
  • Manufacturing 

GCSEs offer qualifications at two levels

  • Foundation level is achieved with GCSEs at grades D – G
  • Intermediate or Higher level is achieved with four or more GCSEs at grades A* - C

BTEC

BTECs are general vocational courses, and are more specialised than applied GCSEs. BTEC Level One introductory courses may be available at your school.

BTEC Level One introductory courses

These courses introduce you to a broad vocational area. They are on offer at some schools in:

  • Art, design and media
  • Business, retail and administration
  • Construction
  • Engineering
  • Health and social care
  • IT @ work
  • Hospitality, travel and tourism
  • Land and environment
  • Performing arts
  • Sport and leisure

You can study them as a shorter Certificate or a longer Diploma. Introductory courses are level one - the same level as GCSEs at grades D-G

There are more BTEC courses on offer at 16+.

Diplomas

at Higher and Foundation level

Higher Level Diplomas

Higher Diploma - takes two years of study either on its own or mixed with other KS4 learning for example GCSEs. It is worth the same as 7 GCSEs (A* -C).

Extended Higher Diploma - takes two years of study and is worth the same as 9 GCSEs (A* -C)

Foundation Level Diplomas

Foundation Diploma - takes one year studied full time, or two years if taken at same time as other KS4 learning. It is worth the same as 5 GCSEs (D -G).

Extended Foundation Diploma - takes one to two years and is worth the same as 7 GCSE (D - G).

All 17 Diploma subjects will be offer to all young people by 2013 but will be introduced gradually over the next few years initially in pilot Schools and Colleges.

From September 2009 the following subjects were available in some schools and colleges in our area:

  • Construction and the Built Environment
  • Creative and Media
  • Engineering
  • Information Technology
  • Society, Health and Development
  • Business, Administration and Finance
  • Environment and Land-based
  • Hair and Beauty
  • Hospitality
  • Manufacturing and Product Design

From September 2010 the following subjects may also be available in some schools and colleges in our area:

  • Public Services
  • Retail Business
  • Sport and Active Leisure
  • Travel and Tourism

From 2013, everyone will be able to study for a Diploma.

More Information on the Diploma?

National Vocational Qualifications

These are vocational courses related to jobs - for example Business Administration, Vehicle Fitting, Food Preparation and Cooking. Most NVQs are studied after 16 as part of an Apprenticeship or work-based learning programme.

  • Level 1 - similar to four GCSEs, grades D-F
  • Level 2 - similar to five GCSEs at grades A-C
  • Level 3 - similar to two full A Levels
  • Level 4 - similar to a degree or BTEC Higher National Diploma.
  • Level 5 - similar to a post-graduate degree or other professional qualification.

NVQs are made up of units, which develop the skills and knowledge needed for a job

NVQs can be done through schools, colleges, training providers or at work. In years 10 and 11 NVQs are usually available as part of a Young Apprenticeship - see below.

Other courses

OCR Nationals

OCR Nationals are vocational qualfications - very similar to BTEC qualfications - and are offered in a range of subjects such as art and design, health and social care, and business. OCR Nationals are offered at levels 1 (Foundation), 2 (Higher), and 3 (Advanced - only at 16+). They are graded at pass, merit or distinction.

Functional Skills

Functional skills are those core elements of English, mathematics and ICT that enable everyone to perform confidently and independently, whether in education or at work. They will be on offer as part of English, maths, and ICT GCSEs, the new Diplomas, and Apprenticeships. You will also be able to take them as separate qualificaitons if you need to.

 

Young Apprenticeships

A Young Apprenticeship is available in schools and offers a work placement, giving you the opportunity of getting valuable work experience whilst continuing with your studies.

They combine vocational education with your academic studies.

They are available in years 10 and 11. All you need to do is ask your careers teacher / Connexions co-ordinator for an application form.