Choosing the right course for you
‘The Course Guide’ lists all courses that Barry College offers, by subject area. Before choosing a course, read the following information about the courses offered at College. Understanding these two pages will help make sure you choose the right course for you. Full time or Part time?
Most subject areas offer both full-time and part-time courses. Do you know the difference? A full time course is:
• 16 hours per week minimum in College
• Usually run over 3-4 days per week in College
• FREE! All you pay is a £10 registration fee with the College.
• The type of course most people coming to College straight after GCSEs study. However, we also have lots of adults that choose full-time courses too. Many of our full-time courses are taught during school hours for people with children. A part-time course is:
• Less than 16 hours per week in College
• Usually 1-2 sessions per week in College
• FREE to anyone claiming means tested benefits if it has this symbol by it.
• The type of course that allows you to fit learning around other work or life commitments. Some are taught during the day, others during the evening – this information is included in the course guide. Learning whilst working - apprenticeships
If you want to increase your skills and qualifications for your current or future career, you may be able to choose to learn whilst working and earning. You may simply choose to take a part-time course. Sometimes employers are happy to pay for you to do this. Alternatively you may be able to learn through an apprenticeship. On an apprenticeship you have a full-time job and your employer allows you to come to College, usually for one day per week, to gain qualifications linked to your job. The difference between an apprenticeship and a simply taking a part-time course is that by linking with a work based learning agency, your employer and you do not have to pay for your training. The Vale of Glamorgan Training Association (VGTA) are Barry College’s work based learning agency. Through the VGTA apprenticehips are available in many of the subject areas we offer at Barry College. When you look through the course guide, look out for the following symbol
Where you see this symbol, apprenticeships are available. If you do not already have a suitable job, sometimes the VGTA are able to help you find an employer for you to take your apprenticeship with. However, if you are already employed in a suitable job you have a better chance of getting a place on an apprenticeship. To find out more about apprenticeships contact the VGTA on Tel: 01446 748212, or Email: vgta@barry.ac.uk
Choosing the right level course for you
Every course offered at Barry College has a level. This level indicates: • The entry requirements you need to get on the course
All courses have set entry requirements – qualifications or skills you need to start the course.
For many courses these are not formal entry requirements, just enough skills to deal with the course. This is often the case with adults who have not been in education for some years. • The amount of learning involved in the course
How much work is involved in the course – how in depth the course is, how much work you need to undertake, the amount of work you will need to complete out of lesson time…etc These levels help you choose the most suitable course for you. Also to help make sure the course you choose is right for you, once you apply all full-time courses and some part-time courses will invite you in for an informal interview with the Course Tutor before you start a course.
Entry
These are basic courses that offer a supported environment to learn in.
No formal qualifications required for any entry level course.
You will have an interview with the Course Tutor, to ensure you have the skills to deal with the course and the course is right for you.
Level 1
Full-time Level 1 courses include BTEC Introductory Certificates and NVQ 1. Many short and part-time courses start at this level.
If you have recently left school you will ideally need a minimum of F-G’s in GCSEs, preferably including English and Maths. Otherwise you do not always need these formal qualifications. For full-time and part-time courses you will have an interview with the Course Tutor, to ensure you have the skills to deal with the course and the course is right for you.
Level 2
These courses include GCSE BTEC First Diplomas and NVQ 2. Many part-time courses start at this level.
If you have recently left school you will ideally have a minimum of 4 GCSEs grade D and E, preferably including English and Maths. Alternatively, a Level 1 qualification (eg. NVQ 1). Otherwise you do not always need any formal qualifications. For full-time and part-time courses you will have an interview with the Course Tutor, to ensure you have the skills to deal with the course and the course is right for you.
Level 3
On these courses you gain a more in-depth knowledge of a subject. They include A Levels, Access Courses, BTEC National Diplomas and NVQ 3.
If you have recently left school you will ideally have a minimum 4 GCSEs grade A* - C, preferably including English and Maths. Alternatively a Level 2 qualification (eg. BTEC First Diploma or NVQ 2). Otherwise you do not always need any formal qualifications. For full-time and part-time courses you will have an interview with the Course Tutor, to ensure you have the skills to deal with the course and the course is right for you. Please note, sometimes even if you have the entry requirements for a Level 3 course you will start on a lower level course. This is the case with highly practical subjects such as hairdressing and construction, where you need to develop practical skills to a certain level before attempting a Level 3 course.
Levels 4 - 7
These are Higher Education Qualifications, such as HNC, HND and Degrees.
Higher Education Qualifications
Level 4 – HNC/ Year 1 of degree
Level 5 – HND/ Year 2 of degree
Level 6 – Honours Degree
You will usually require 1 or more Level 3 qualifications to take Level 4, 5 or 6 qualification, such as A Levels or NVQ 3. Sometimes, where a person has a high level of skill and experience in a relevant area they will not require formal qualifications to this level. For full-time and part-time courses you will have an interview with the Course Tutor, to ensure you have the skills to deal with the course and the course is right for you.
Level 7 +
These are Postgraduate Qualifications, such as the PGCE.
You will usually require a Level 4, 5 or 6 qualification such as a HNC, HND, Degree or NVQ 4. Sometimes, where a person has a high level of skill and experience in a relevant area they will not require formal qualifications to this level. For full-time and part-time courses you will have an interview with the Course Tutor, to ensure you have the skills to deal with the course and the course is right for you.
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