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Your Choice of Study – Qualifications Explained
There is more than one way of reaching your goal and we recommend taking the time to look through our guide to qualifications below. What you choose to study depends on your existing or expected qualifications and what you want for the future. Some students prefer academic study but others prefer a more practical study route offered by vocational qualifications.
We have extended the opportunities for students who want to study through the medium of Welsh – please see the section called ma gen ti ddewis/you’ve got a choice for further details.
Access to Higher Education Access to HE qualifications are designed for adults with considerable life experience, who may have few or no academic qualifications and who wish to develop the knowledge and skills to a standard required for entry to Higher Education.
Offered in a range of subject areas, the courses are full-time over one year or part-time over two years and successful completion gains the student the necessary entry requirement for Higher Education.
Apprenticeships
An exciting and realistic alternative to full-time education, these programmes help you to gain a qualification
whilst employed. Apprenticeships are available for employed people, of any age, with the aim of helping them to become technical experts, supervisors and managers to NVQ Level 3 or higher.
Traineeships and Steps to Employment
These offer a shorter programme of work experience and learning options which can lead onto a full
apprenticeship course or work. There are no specific entry requirements. Further information is available
from Yale Training, 01978 316441.
AS / A Levels – Advanced
Subsidiary & Advanced Levels AS and A Level courses are academic courses, similar to those you have done in school, but at a higher level and these are often used as a route to Higher Education. You will be assessed by a mixture of course project work and examinations.
The AS Level is usually taken over one year and is sometimes described as a ‘stepping stone’ between GCSEs and A Level. Most students will study either 3 or 4 AS Levels in Year 1. In year two, most students will take 3
subjects at full A Level standard and possibly picking up another AS Level alongside.
AS / A Level study has been broadened to include a choice of BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas or the Welsh Baccalaureate, which are equivalent to one A-Level and some of these additional options can be studied through the medium of Welsh. Students can also choose a GCSE alongside their A Level study.
A-Level Honours Group
This group of students will take additional studies including the Welsh Bac, critical thinking and the option to study Open University modules.
The purpose of the programme is to prepare students for Oxbridge entrance, medical veterinary and dentistry courses and other courses where additional aptitude tests may be required. The students will be selected on the basis of their GCSE results and their desire for additional study.
BTEC Diplomas, Certificates & Awards
These are programmes of individual workrelated education for those who already know the broad area in which they want to work.
BTEC Level 4 Diplomas Higher National Certificate (HNC)
Vocational qualifications at a higher (degree) level run in conjunction with a Higher Education college or university.
At Yale these are run in conjunction with Glyndŵr University. Assessment is mainly by assignment and project work. The HNC is usually studied on a part-time basis.
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma, Diploma and Subsidiary Diploma
Equivalent to 3, 2 or 1 A levels, these courses are usually studied over two years and offer the perfect route to university or work! They are based on continuous assessment which means you will know that you’re on track all the way through the course and won’t have the pressure of exams.
The Subsidiary Diplomas may also be combined with A-Levels.
BTEC Level 2 Diplomas
Equivalent to 4 GCSEs at grades A-C level and usually studied full-time over one year. Based on continuous assessment and can lead onto a Level 3 course or onto employment.
BTEC Level 1 Diplomas
These are studied full-time over one year and are based on continuous assessment. They can lead onto a level 2 course or onto employment.
GCSEs – General Certificate of Secondary Education
A limited number of GCSE subjects are offered at Yale for students to study alongside their other qualifications, rather than as a discrete package. Most entry requirements for higher levels of study require a Grade C or above in English and / or Maths. NVQs and Work-Based Training National Vocational Qualifications are available in specific work-related subjects at 5 different levels. They are based on the skills you might be expected to develop when you learn in your place of work. They are offered full-time here at College or are available through apprenticeship schemes while you work.
Lifelong Learning
Yale College promotes the concept of Lifelong Learning and offers a huge number of parttime courses ranging from those which offer professional qualifications to those which are primarily for leisure and special interests.
You can view the full range in the part-time section of our course search, or contact the College for our part-time brochures.
Mae Gen Ti Ddewis / You’ve Got a Choice
How about following a course at Yale through the medium of Welsh or bilingually? It would enhance your employment opportunities as the ability to speak and write in Welsh is regarded as a valuable skill in the workplace just like computer and financial skills.
We have a range of courses that can be followed fully through the medium of Welsh:
- BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary D iploma in Travel and Tourism
- BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary D iploma in Public Services
- BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary D iploma in Hospitality
(These involve approximately 4 ½ learning hours per week and can be offered as part of a full-time programme,
either alongside A Levels or as part of a vocational course) - Cache Level 3 D iploma in Childcare (this is a full-time course)
- Level 2 Deloitte Employability Skills
- Welsh Baccalaureate
Welsh Baccalaureate
This valuable qualification may be studied alongside most Yale courses. It gives greater breadth to students’ learning, providing the skills and personal qualities that employers and higher education institutions are looking for. The Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate is increasingly being accepted by Universities as an entry qualification. To achieve this qualification students work towards a core certificate, including key skills and work experience, alongside their chosen course of study. Please see the course supplement to find out if the Welsh Bac may be achieved through the course.
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