Qualifications Explained

With so many qualifications available to choose from this section provides a more detailed explanation of the different types of courses on offer at Selby College.

Foundation Learning
Provides a stepping stone to Diplomas, GCSEs, Apprenticeships, employment or
independence.

All courses have the same three sections: Functional Skills; Personal and Social
Development; Vocational Skills.

Functional Skills
You will receive lots of help to improve your skills in English, Maths and Information Communication Technology (ICT).

Personal and SocialDevelopment
You will receive help to build your confidence, selfesteem and motivation so that you can develop the skills necessary to gain employment or progress to further education.

Vocational Skills
You may want to keep your options open by choosing the Promoting Skills for Living/ Skills for Independence and Work course or the BTEC Vocational Studies to give you a range of experience. Or you may know which route you want to follow and choose a particular course, such as Construction, Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy or Hospitality and Catering.

'A' Levels - 
('AS' and 'A2' Level)
'A' Levels are well known as one of the main academic routes into Higher Education as well as for professional employment. They are an intensive course of study requiring motivation and a high level of study skills.

'A' Levels are divided into 'AS' Level and 'A2' Level. Usually these are studied
over two years with the 'AS' Level being taken at the end of year one and the 'A2' Level at the end of year two*.

We expect that most students will take four subjects at 'AS' Level in year one and then progress into year two concentrating on three of these subjects at 'A2' Level.

*Progression to 'A2' Level is subject to satisfactory performance at 'AS' Level.

Academy (for gifted and talented students)
If you expect to achieve outstanding GCSE results and have high expectations, then you may be interested in our Academy. This group meets regularly to take part in additional challenges, activities and investigations to prepare them for application to top universities.

BTEC Qualifications
These are highly rated vocational qualifications recognised by employers and universities*. They are available at different levels to suit your needs.

BTEC Extended Diplomas and BTEC Nationals are equivalent to three 'A' Levels.

*These courses are primarilary assessed by coursework rather than examinations.

NVQ/VRQ Level 2/3
You may choose to study an NVQ or VRQ, which provides a specialist course, closely related to an occupation. There are no examinations, but you have to prove that you are competent to carry out your work activities.