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Course Information

We welcome applicants to courses of all levels

Huddersfield New College offers courses at Level Three, Level Two and Foundation Level. To select a course level that is appropriate to your academic ability you should read the Entry Requirements section of the website or prospectus. Some courses have specific entry requirements. These are noted on the course information leaflets.

Many applicants select four AS level subjects to study at college in the first year, but this may differ if you wish to study vocational courses such as a BTEC course or a combination of BTEC and AS levels. In some cases you may wish to apply to courses at different levels. An example may be applying for three AS Levels and a re-sit in GCSE Maths.

To help you understand the wide range of course choices, you will be offered an informal interview. At the interview you will have an opportunity to discuss your options and to select the best course combination to suit your needs. If you have a particular job or university degree in mind, it is important that your course choices are suitable to meet the requirements of that job or degree. You should talk to us at college about your progression choices at the interview, or at any time afterwards as you decide on your intended path.

Level Three

AS & A2

These together make up the traditional A level. You take AS after the first year as a stepping-stone qualification. The marks from your A2 in the second year are added to the AS to give you your final grade at A level after 2 years. All the courses are split up into modules, with many taking examinations both in January and June. You can re-take AS modules in the second year to improve your marks. If you pass these courses, you are given a grade from A to E. All these grades are accepted as passes by universities and employers, not just the A-C grades as for GCSEs. Many students progress to university following completion of A level courses.

Applied AS/A2

In Travel and Tourism and Business, applied AS/A2 courses are available. These are assessed through a combination of examinations and extended coursework. They include much greater emphasis on coursework than the more traditional AS/A2 courses, although they are graded A-E in the same way and contribute to grades required to progress to university.

BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas

These are sometimes referred to as vocational A levels. They are equivalent to one A level and can be taken alongside other courses to build a suitable programme. The units that make up these courses are the same as those in the equivalent BTEC Diploma or Extended Diploma. They are assessed through assignment completion.

As with other Level 3 courses, Subsidiary Diplomas can contribute to progression to university.

BTEC Diplomas & Extended Diplomas

Level 3 courses that take up nearly the whole of your timetable. A Diploma is the equivalent of 2 A levels and an Extended Diploma is the equivalent of 3 A levels. These courses can be used for university entry as well as for job applications. Assessment is based on completion of coursework assignments. These are graded as pass, merit or distinction.

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Level Two

BTEC Level 2 Diploma

Level 2 courses each of which is equal to four GCSE grades. The courses are assessed through assignment work rather than examinations, and the grades are awarded as; Pass, Merit or Distinction.

The College offers 9 different Level 2 Diplomas in a range of areas. Many students progress to Level 3 courses following successful completion of a diploma t Level 2, then progress to university after their Level 3 course.

If you manage a Distinction, this equals four A grades at GCSE level; a Merit equals 4 Bs and a Pass 4 Cs. Each of the First Diplomas will take up much of your timetable, but you can combine them with GCSE courses as appropriate.

GCSE's

Although you will be familiar with these courses, you must remember that they will be very different at college. For a start, we have just over 2 terms to cover what you did in 2 years at school. They are intensive courses aimed to get you the vital passport qualifications in English, Maths and Science which are requirements for many employers and universities.

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Level One

At Huddersfield New College we offer the Vocational Studies – BTEC Level 1 Diploma course to appropriate students. This course is assessed through the completion of assignments.

Students can use successful completion of the Level 1 diploma course in order to help them progress to a Level 2 diploma course. A number of students have progressed though the college from Level 1 to Level 3 and gone on to University.

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