English Students Outside

How do I build my study programme?

Choosing your options after GCSEs can be quite overwhelming so it is really important to think about what type of learner you are and what you might be planning to do in the future.

Are A-levels right for me?

A-levels are right for you if:

  • I prefer courses which are mainly exam based
  • I will achieve mainly Grades 4-9 in my GCSEs
  • I want to study 3 subjects in-depth
  • I want to keep my options open for employment, university or higher level apprenticeships.
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Are T-levels right for me?

T-levels are perfect for students who are:

  • I would like to incorporate an industry placement in my study programme
  • To keep my options open for employment, university or an apprenticeship
  • I will achieve Grades 4-9 in my GCSEs
  • I want to study topics that will directly relate to a specific career that I have in mind
  • I want to learn technical skills so I can go straight into work if I wish.
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Is a Vocational course right for me?

Vocational courses are perfect for students who are:

  • I want to study topics that will directly relate to a specific career I have in mind
  • I will achieve mainly Grades 4-9 in my GCSEs
  • I want to keep the option of going to university open
  • I want the opportunity of work experience that will help to start my career.
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Is the A-Level Progression programme right for me?

A-Level Progression is perfect for students who are:

  • I will have a spiky GCSE results profile
  • I want to go on to study A-levels
  • I need to improve my English and/or Maths grades for A-levels.
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Is the Foundation Year for T-Level right for me?

The Foundation Year for T-Level at Cirencester College is a one year Level 2 technical programme. Ideal for students who are hoping to progress to a Level 3 T-level or who are thinking of going straight into employment, training or an apprenticeship.

The minimum entry requirements for the Foundation Year is at least 3 GCSEs at grade 3 or above.

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Is the Upgrade programme right for me?

Upgrade is a study programme designed to give students the confidence and improve their grades at GCSE level to be able to progress to their chosen pathways in Level 2 whether here at Cirencester or at another college, to undertake an apprenticeship or get a job with training.

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How do I build my study programme?

As you browse through our course pages you will see a programme symbol against it, which will tell you how many parts of a full time programme it represents for instance:

You will need to have 3 parts to your programme to make a full time programme.

Chunk 1

Represents one A-level, a vocational subsidiary diploma or certificate

Chunk 2

Represents two A-levels or a vocational Diploma

Chunk 3

A full programme, representing 3 A-levels, a vocational Extended Diploma or a T-level

How many A-levels do I need to do to make a full time programme?

Students will need to choose 3 A-levels to achieve a full-time programme of study. Some students who are predicted high grades for the GCSEs will take 4 A-levels but it is not necessary to take 4 A-levels to further your career or go to University.

Can I mix A-levels with vocational courses?

It is possible to take a mixed programme of courses. For instance you can take 2 A-levels alongside a subsidiary diploma or a certificate. Or you can take 1 A-level with a diploma course.

Can I mix T-levels with other courses?

No T-levels are a full time course (the equivalent to 3 A-levels) with 80% of work in the classroom and 20% of the course in the work place.

Find out more about T-levels here

Will there be anything else on my timetable?

You will have tutor time with your tutor added to your programme as well as your choice of an Enrichment activity and study periods. Students will also have the opportunity to do the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) which is increasingly sought after by universities.

Find out more about our Enrichment offering here