Welcome to the Calderdale College Website

Qualifications available to you
If you are a school leaver – or adult – with few qualifications, or non at all, you can come to Calderdale College and take the course you want. A pre-entry or entry level programme should set you on your way. Encouraged by specialist staff who give personal tutor support, you’ll soon find yourself part of college life. On the Options to Study programme learners have the opportunity tosample vocational areas such as Health and Care, Drama, Construction Skills, Art and Media, Hairdressing or Information Technology before developing two vocational options alongside English and maths and other essential skills.

AS & A Level
We offer a choice of AS/A2 levels which is one good reason for choosing these traditional qualifications with Calderdale College. One year AS courses are qualifications in their own right which will prepare you for a further year’s study to gain full A level or you can choose to pick up another AS.

Advanced Vocational Certificate in Education (AVCE)
VCE’s are a vocational alternative to AS and A levels. You can study for either 3, 6, or 12 units and combine these with AS and A levels. Available in vocatinal subjects.

BTEC Nationals
Gain the knowledge and vocationally specific skills you need by studying a BTEC National qualification normally taken over two years. You can choose to study either 6, 12 or 18 units in your chosen vocational area. To widen your choice you can study a mixture of AVCE’s or BTEC Nationals with AS and A Levels. Available in vocatinal subjects.

General National Vocational Qualification (GNVQ)
Studied for one year a GNVQ will give you hands-on skills and you’ll learn a lot about your chosen subject. An intermediate GNVQ is equivalent to four GCSEs and can lead to a job or further study at advanced level. Foundation GNVQs help build your confidence as well as your knowledge. You’ll then be prepared to look for a job or to move on to an intermediate course.

BTEC First Diploma
If you know what subject you want to study and are keen to add practical experience this qualification is for you. The equivalent of four GCSEs a BTEC First gives you a head start in the search for a rewarding job or the opportunity to move on to an advanced course.

National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)
Try the NVQ option if you want work-related qualifications designed to further your skills in a specific career. NVQs assess your ability to perform a variety of tasks in the workplace. Available across a range of subjects NVQs assess your performance at the right personal level for you.

Key Skills
Key Skills are intended for everyone from students in colleges to Chief Executives of large companies. Key Skills are the skills most commonly needed for success in a range of activities at work, in education and training and life in general. They are Application of Number, Communications, Information Technology, Improving Own Learning and Performance, Working with Others and Problem Solving. These skills are common to all jobs and are transferable between vocational areas.

Key Skills are components of Foundation and Modern Apprenticeship training
Employers stress the importance of key skills for employability
Universities include key skills in their undergraduate and postgraduate programmes; Key Skills achievements collect UCAS points for admissions to Higher Education.
Developing your skills will raise your potential, not only in the key skills themselves but also in all the subjects you study. Levels of study range from basic skills (working towards level l) to those needed at a strategic or management level (levels 4 and 5).
Modern Apprenticeships
Young people aged between 16 and 24 can earn while they learn on a Foundation or Advanced Modern Apprenticeship and there is a wide range of training opportunities to suit your ability and job preferences. By working to a structured training plan and gaining work experience you will achieve an NVQ that reflects your ability.

Higher National Certificate & Higher National Diplomas (HNCs & HNDs)
Full time or part time study, whichever suits you better; they equip you with the academic skills needed for university level study and the workrelated skills needed for employment. HNCs in particular are designed to be flexible to fit in with work and family commitments. These are qualifications highly valued by employers because of the balance between theory and hands-on training.