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Sixth Form College

Need to know info

Courses at Runshaw

Choosing your course of study

We offer an extensive range of courses that will make sure you get the most out of your college experience. Each course offers the highest quality of teaching, excellent achievement rates and the support you need to ensure you get where you want to be.

Level of course	GSCE grades required
A-level	5 B grades
BTEC National	5 C grades or above
BTEC First Diploma (Pre-advanced level 2)	At least 4 D grades
BTEC Introductory Diploma (Pre-advanced level 1)	1 D grade and 2 E grades
Entry & Vocational Life Skills	None

Advanced level courses

Advanced level courses are generally aimed at preparing you for higher education. They can take the form of more academic study as A and AS-level courses or the more work orientated BTEC nationals.

A-levels

Entry requirements To study A-levels at Runshaw, you should achieve grade Bs in 5 National Curriculum subjects. If you want to study a subject that you have taken at school, you should have a GCSE grade B in that subject.

For science A-levels, you need to be a competent mathematician and for subjects where assessment is largely based on written English, a grade B in a written National Curriculum subject e.g. English, history or religious studies is required.

For the full list of A-levels you can study at Runshaw, click here

BTEC Nationals

Structure BTEC National Diplomas are 2-year courses made up of 18 units or subjects (6 core units and 12 specialist units) related to your chosen industry. It is graded Pass, Merit or Distinction and at the end you should achieve a triple grade e.g. PPP, MMP or DDD, which attract points for university, just like A-levels. A BTEC National is the equivalent to achieving 3 A-levels.

How do I get on this course? To get straight onto the BTEC National you will need 5 GCSEs at Grades A - C. You are required to include both English and Mathematics, but one can be at Grade C and the other at Grade D. Alternatively you will need at least a Merit in Vocational Level 2 e.g. BTEC First Diploma. You will also need a high standard of written and spoken English, the ability to use and understand numbers and good IT skills. You need to have good organisational skills to manage the coursework.

Progression Most students will go on to university after studying a BTEC National. It’s a popular and successful route into higher education where you might choose to study a BTEC Higher National qualification or a full degree course. Others go straight into work. A BTEC National will give you knowledge and skills to enter your chosen industry.

BTEC National Diplomas you can study at Runshaw:
• Art and Design • Business • Children's Care, Learning and Development • Engineering • Graphic Design • Health and Social Care • Hotel, Restaurant and Event Management • IT practitioners • Media • Performing Arts • Public Services • Science Applied (laboratory and industrial) • Sport and Exercise Science • Sports Development and Fitness • travel, tourism, airline and cruise

What is the difference between a vocational and an academic course?

On a vocational course you will take more responsibility for your own learning. You will work on your own or as part of a team – and undertake short projects and longer assessments, producing a portfolio of evidence – a collection of information, i.e. plans, reports, drawings, presentation material, videos, records of visits, work placements etc. Your work is assessed by coursework and by examination in most Vocational A-level subjects. You will have to manage workloads as you are continually assessed in most units. Time management and meeting deadlines will play an important role in your success on a vocational course. Vocational means just that – you gain skills and experience directly linked to a particular career.

NVQs

What is an NVQ? An NVQ is a work-related, hands-on qualification that focuses on employment skills. They’ve been developed by the industry for the industry. You will have to show you are able to do certain work-related skills, demonstrating that you meet national standards set by employers and makes sure you can actually do the job.

Learning methods You’ll work in a realistic working environment and will undertake placements in the industry. Learning will also take place in the classroom where you will be taught related theory using a variety of teaching and learning methods.

You will learn through a variety of study methods including formal class teaching, group work, case studies, practical activities, role-play and personal research for assignments.

Assessment You’ll be assessed through observation in a realistic working environment and during placements, by producing or gathering appropriate materials and through questioning. You’ll put together a portfolio and be observed by an assessor who will observe you doing the tasks.

Depending on your current level of skills you’ll start on either a Level 1 or 2 course. These courses are a great way to develop highly valued skills for industry and also act as a stepping stone onto the next level. Many of our students will go on to develop their skills further by moving up to the next level (2 or 3) whilst others choose to continue learning in the work place, gaining employment-based training.

NVQs you can study at Runshaw are:
• Catering • Beauty • Hairdressing

VRQs

What is a VRQ? A Vocationally Related Qualification is similar to an NVQ in that it is work related and practical, developing your employment skills. A VRQ focuses on assessing and recognising what you know and how well you understand it. You will focus on one industry and cover a range of related subjects.

Learning Methods You’ll work in a realistic working environment and will undertake placements in the industry. This gives you the opportunity to use what you are learning and develop your skills as you work through the course. Learning will also take place in the classroom where you will be taught related theory using a variety of teaching and learning methods.

Assessment You will have to complete a series of set tasks and exercises that will help demonstrate your knowledge and understanding, each of which will ask you to reflect on and give real examples from your practice. You’ll be assessed through observation in a realistic working environment and during placements, by producing or gathering appropriate materials and through questioning. You’ll put together a portfolio and be observed by an assessor who will check you have reached the required standard to complete the tasks.

VRQs are a great way to prepare you for NVQ Level 2, Apprenticeships or employment.

VRQs you can study at Runshaw are:
• Beauty Therapy • Hairdressing

Pre-advanced courses

BTEC First Diplomas

Structure BTEC First Diplomas are 1-year courses made up of 6 units or subjects, related to your chosen industry. At the end you should achieve a Pass, Merit or Distinction. A BTEC First Diploma is the equivalent to achieving 4 GCSEs at Grade C.

How do I get on this course? To get onto the BTEC First you will need at least 4 GCSEs at Grade D including English or Mathematics or a Vocational Level 1 qualification e.g. BTEC Introductory Diploma.

Progression The BTEC First Diploma is a great stepping stone onto the National Diploma and most students will go on to study at this higher level to give them more knowledge, skills and experience for working in their chosen industry or studying at a higher level. Others choose to continue learning in the workplace, gaining employment-based training.

Level 2 courses you can study at Runshaw are:
• art & design • beauty therapy • business • care • catering • early years • engineering • IT practitioners • media • office technology • performing arts • public services • sport and exercise science • sport and recreation • travel & tourism

BTEC Introductory Diplomas

Structure A BTEC Introductory Diploma is the first step on the BTEC ladder. It’s a good introduction to learning about the area of work you’re interested in.

It’s a 1-year course made up of 8 units, or subjects, all related to your chosen industry. At the end of your course you should achieve a Pass, Merit or Distinction.

How do I get on this course? To get onto the BTEC Introductory Diploma you will need 1 GCSE at Grade D and 2 at Grade E including Mathematics or English.

Progression Most students will carry on learning about their chosen industry by doing a BTEC First Diploma next. Some students choose to carry on learning in the workplace, gaining employment based training.

Level 1 courses you can study at Runshaw are:
• art, design and media • beauty • business • business, retail and administration • catering • hairdressing • health and social care • hospitality, travel and tourism • IT at work • motor vehicle • public services • sport and recreation

Vocational Life Skills

What is a Vocational Life Skills course? A Vocational and Life Skills course is great if you don’t really know what you want to do as a job when you leave school and are not sure which college course if right for you. Maybe you didn’t get the GCSE results you were hoping for, you missed a lot of school and you think you need to improve a little more on your skills before you decide which course to go on to next. To take a look at the course details click here.

Entry

What is an Entry Course? The Entry Course is a brilliant course if you need extra support to gain the skills you need to move on to a Level 1 course at college or prepare you for work.

To come on the Entry Course you do not need any formal qualifications but we do expect you to want to work hard at College and achieve your targets. The course can last 1, 2 or 3 years depending on your ability.

You will have an individual timetable planned over 3 full days depending on your current abilities and your long term aims. You will be able to choose your vocational option to work on alongside the core subjects. To take a look at the course details click here.