Parents' Guide to Leicester College

Qualifications and Applications

What do all the different levels mean?

Download our easy Guide to Qualification Levels

Do you need good GCSEs to get into Leicester College?

Courses are available for people with a variety of grades. Each course listing highlights who the course is aimed at, and the entry requirements.

I am not sure whether qualifications gained abroad are the same in this country. How can I find out?

Contact the College’s Careers Advisers for an assessment of overseas qualifications. We can direct you to other services such as the Overseas Qualifications Development Programme (OQDP) if appropriate. Call 0116 224 2240 to book an appointment.

If my son/daughter fails any GCSEs can they retake them at Leicester College?

Yes, but it may depend on their grades and how many GCSEs they need to retake. A range of GCSE subjects are available on a full or part-time basis.

My son/daughter is not sure which course they’d like to do. Who can help me?

My son/daughter isn’t very academic. Is there anything more practical they could do?

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) are practical and prepare learners for the world of work. They learn by “doing” in a real work environment. We offer NVQs from basic levels up to level 3. They could also consider BTEC National Diplomas and GCE Advanced level courses, as well as the Diplomas (please refer to our new Guide to Diplomas). Access to Higher Education courses are available for mature learners who don’t have the qualifications for HE entry.

Does my son/daughter need to apply to Leicester College or should they apply through their school (with the Common Application form)?

If their school uses the Common Application form (print or electronic version), please apply on this first. If this is not available then please use the Leicester College Application form which is available in our Full-time Course Guide.

My son/daughter wants to go on to university. What course should they do?

We offer routes from pre-GCSE levels through to university. They can start on a level 1 course (National Award, NVQ1, GCSE), go through to a level 2 course, First Diploma, GCSE and onto level 3 courses (A levels, BTEC National Diplomas). Level 3 courses can offer entry to Higher Education (HNDs, Foundation Degrees and full Degrees). If they have a career route in mind, it is worth checking www.ucas.com to see what qualifications the particular course will require.

Will my son/daughter get the help in applying for university?

We are an Associate College of De Montfort University and promote routes into Higher Education. We take students to Regional Higher Education Fairs and have trips to universities including Oxford and Cambridge. College staff and tutors give talks on research options, methods of applying and financing Higher Education. Help will be organised by their tutor throughout the application cycle.

If my son/daughter doesn’t like their course, can they change?

They should talk to their Personal Tutor or a College Careers Adviser as soon as possible. It may be possible to transfer onto another course.

The course requires a portfolio, what is this?

A collection of a learner’s work, usually for art or design courses. This could be work from school or completed in their own time.

College Life

How many days will my son/daughter be in College?

It varies from course to course. Check in our Full-time Course Guide or call 0116 224 2240.

Does my son/daughter need to come into College every day from 9am to 5pm?

It depends upon the course. Some start at 9am and finish at 5pm. Others, especially those working in the College’s restaurant, may be required to stay as late as 10.30pm. Most learners are in College from three to five days a week.

How many learners are there in a class?

15 to 25 on average, although class sizes do vary.

Do learners need to be in College when they don’t have a lesson?

No, however there is a variety of things to do to keep them occupied. They could come into College to work on projects or assignments, using the library or computing facilities.

Can my son/daughter keep their part-time job and still come to the College?

For some courses, learners will only be in College three or four days a week. All learners are encouraged to gain work experience. Part-time work should be arranged around timetables and not the other way round. No more than 12 hours part-time work per week is recommended.

Are there facilities to buy food?

There are refectories on each campus, which are open throughout term-time and provide hot and cold meals, drinks and snacks.

Will my son/daughter be in the same group as their school friends?

Part of coming to College is maturing and making new friends. If the course has more than one group, it may be that they will not be in the same one. Although the College does have the same breaks during the day which would allow them to meet up and socialise.

What type of contact can families expect from the College?

All curriculum areas offer evenings at least once a year, where you can discuss progress and ask questions. If you have any questions and concerns during the year, you can contact their Personal Tutor.

How much homework will my son/daughter have?

It varies from course to course, although most will have assignments to work on as well as other related work. At the start of the course, learners will receive a schedule which highlights deadlines for assignments. There is no schedule for homework as learners are expected to take responsibility for their deadlines.

What is Enrichment?

Any activity which is not linked to a course, which will enrich your son/daughter’s time at the College. This includes charity work, foreign travel and sports within the College, plus visits to universities, art galleries and the theatre.

Support

My son/daughter had support at school. Will they still get help at College?

Yes, although they must tell us on the application form, or at their interview. Learners can also have an assessment at Leicester College. Support from a Learning Development Tutor will be offered and they may be able to get extra time in exams too.

Will I get help in paying for kit or equipment?

Call 0116 224 2240 and ask for a Financial Assistance form. Learners under 19 are assessed on their parent/guardian/carer’s income. Over 19s are assessed on their individual and partner’s income.

My family has recently arrived in the country. Can my son/daughter get help with their English?

As part of the interview, an assessment of ability in English is taken through written work and speaking. If they need help, learners can be enrolled on an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) course or receive ESOL support from a Learning Development Tutor.

Will a Leicester College course guarantee my son/daughter a job?

Nobody can promise that, however learners receive help and support with job seeking, applying for employment and preparing for interviews. Our Careers Advisers can also help to prepare CVs and help with any job applications. Call 0116 224 2240 to make an appointment.

What is Additional Learning Support?

It helps learners with learning difficulties or disabilities, with aspects of study such as essay writing, presentation skills, numeracy, planning assignments, note taking and handwriting.

Will my son/daughter get a free bus pass?

Leicester College is now providing subsidised bus passes to all 16 to 18 year olds on a full-time course, who live over three miles from their main base campus. The cost is £60 per year (currently a County Pass is £240 and a City Pass is £145). For city-based applicants, whose parent/guardian receives Income Support or Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance, the £60 fee will be waived on production of a benefit letter no more than 40 days old. Please note this is the cost for 2009/2010. There may be changes to the conditions for 2010/2011.

Guide to Qualifications

Applied GCSEs

The new applied GCSEs are worth two academic GCSEs and are an introduction to a broad sector of industry.

Applied GCEs

Equivalent to two academic A levels, they are work-related and can be combined with traditional A/AS levels. Entry requirements are a minimum of four GCSEs at grade C. They allow entry to Higher Education, just like A/AS levels.

Apprenticeships

These let learners earn as they learn. NVQ courses and other supporting qualifications are linked to a job they do, and assessment is through workplace visits.

Basic Skills/entry level programmes and qualifications

These provide a stepping stone for learners working pre-GCSE grade G or level 1 qualifications.

BTEC National Awards, Certificates and Diplomas

For learners who have a clear idea of their career path and want to begin along this. They are equivalent to one A level (Awards), two A levels (Certificates) and three A levels (Diplomas). They allow progression to a Higher National Diploma (HND), a Degree, Foundation or Honours or a chosen career.

Diplomas

Diplomas offer an exciting study option for learners aged 14 to 19. Consisting of both theoretical and practical learning, Diplomas also offer the opportunity to specialise in a chosen subject, as well as undertake valuable work experience.

Foundation Degrees

These are developed with employers and are equal to the first two years of a Degree. They give learners real work skills to begin their career and are a qualification in their own right.

GCSEs and AS/A2 levels

This is the traditional route. Learners can re-take or study GCSEs part-time at the College, as well as their main full-time course.

Higher National Diplomas (HND)

A higher level course which introduces advanced concepts and prepares learners for university/Higher Education, or higher level employment.

Key Skills

All learners study Key Skills at Leicester College. Key Skills help learners to a certain level of skill in communication, IT and numeracy, no matter which course they take.

Level 1/Foundation qualifications

These are for those not ready to take GCSE/NVQs, who want to develop a particular vocational skill e.g. hairdressing, IT, English or any other subject.

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs)

NVQs are practical and can be studied while working. Time spent at College is minimal. Learners learn the skills required and then spend the rest of the time putting them into practice in the workplace. Assessment is based on competence. They are ideal for people on Apprenticeships.