Your Options Explained
Entry Level
Entry Level 1-3
- Key Stage 3
If you don’t have any GCSEs (or equivalent if you have moved here from overseas), you will probably start at Entry Level. These courses will help you build the foundation to get onto formal qualifications.
School Leavers & Foundation
Level 1
- GCSE Grades 1-3 or D-G
- BTEC Level 1
- NVQ Level 1
If you’ve finished school and are looking at a construction trade, such as bricklaying, you will probably start here and work your way up, unless you have already studied your chosen subject at this level. If you are aged 16-18, there is no cost for you to study at this level.
If you are 16-18 and have not passed your GCSE Maths or English, you will also be required to study these alongside your main course.
Level 2
- GCSE Grades 4-9 or A*-C
- BTEC Level 2
- Intermediate Apprenticeship
- NVQ Level 2
If you have finished school and are looking at certain professions, such as hair and beauty, you will probably start here and work your way up, unless you already have studied your chosen subject at this level. Most regular apprenticeships will also reward you with a Level 2 qualification. If you are aged 16-18, there is no cost for you to study at this level.
If you are 16-18 and have not passed your GCSE Maths or English, you will also be required to study these alongside your main course.
Level 3
- AS / A Level
- T Level
- Advanced Apprenticeship
- NVQ Level 3
- BTEC National Diploma
If you have finished your GCSEs with primarily grades 4-9, you can start here. Some subjects, such as science-based subjects, begin at Level 3 and can be entered straight from school. If you are aged 16-18, there is no cost for you to study at this level.
Some subjects, such as trade and professional courses, may require you to study them at Level 1 or 2 first if you haven’t already. Advanced apprenticeships will normally reward you with a Level 3 qualification.
Adults who are looking to go into university-level courses but do who do not have the right qualifications, can study one of our Access to Higher Education courses, which are also Level 3.
If you are 16-18 and have not passed your GCSE Maths or English, you will also be required to study these alongside your main course.
Higher Education
Level 4
- Higher National Certificate (HNC)
- BTEC Professional Level 4
- Higher Apprenticeship
- NVQ Level 4
To get onto our Higher Education courses, you should have Level 3 qualifications in a relevant subject, or you should have sufficient industry experience. You may need at least 48-80 UCAS points, depending on the subject you choose. If you’re not sure how many UCAS points you have, you can use this calculator.
These courses are things such as our Higher National Certificates. You can fund yourself (Student Finance) through these courses, or in some cases your employer may be willing to sponsor you, in which case you can study in a flexible way to fit around your work schedule.
Level 5
- Higher National Diploma (HND)
- BTEC Professional Level 5
- Foundation Degree (FdSc, FdA)
- Certificate in Education and Training
- NVQ Level 5
To get onto our Higher Education courses, you should have Level 3 and/or Level 4 qualifications in a relevant subject, or you should have sufficient industry experience. You may need at least 48 UCAS points, depending on the subject you choose. If you’re not sure how many UCAS points you have, you can use this calculator.
These courses are things such as our Higher National Diplomas. You can fund yourself (Student Finance) through these courses, or in some cases your employer may be willing to sponsor you, in which case you can study in a flexible way to fit around your work schedule.
Level 6
- Honours Degree (BSc, BA)
- BTEC Advanced Professional Level 6
- Degree Apprenticeship
- NVQ Level 6
To study a degree with us, you will need to have passed at Level 3 (normally A Level or equivalent) and have 64-120 UCAS points minimum, depending on your chosen subject. If you’re not sure how many UCAS points you have, you can use this calculator.
These courses will usually incur a tuition fee, which you will be expected to cover, unless you are being sponsored by your employer. Most people will be eligible for a Student Loan.
Level 7 (Postgraduate)
- Masters Degree (MSc, MA)
- BTEC Advanced Professional Level 7
- NVQ Level 7
- Postgraduate Certificate
- PGCE
Already have degree and are wanting to study further, then this is the level you will be entering at. At Bradford College, we offer PGCE courses for those who wish to become teachers.