Courses At Itchen College

The range of courses on offer at Itchen offers you excellent opportunities for progression to further study at university or for work. Please browse the list on the left to discover the courses and programmes available to you, and to download individual course information.

If you would like to view our full-time prospectus and download an application form, please go to the Publications section of the website.

Choosing a course

Your choice of course will depend on your GCSE results and your career ambitions. During the enrolment process we will work with you to choose the best options to meet your personal goals. With help from our staff you will decide whether it is right for you to start a 1, 2 or 3 year programme of study.

As a general rule 5 GCSEs at grade C or above are required to begin a Level 3 programme.

You are able to study and be examined in, four or possibly five subjects at AS level in year 1. In year 2, providing you meet the entry requirements outlined above, you will develop your study in 3 or 4 of these subjects to A level.

• AS Levels

  To begin an AS level you will normally be expected to have achieved a grade A, B or C in the same subject at GCSE but this is not always the case, particularly if you have not had the chance to study the subject at school. If you do well you will be able to extend your studies in Year Two to a full A Level.

• A2

  At the end of your first year you will be able to decide which of your AS subjects to develop as full A levels through a year of A2 study. Most students will study three but a fourth may be appropriate. Others may wish to take an additional one-year subject.

• BTEC National Award/Certificate

  The BTEC National Award is the first year of a two year modular Level 3 course, and the Certificate is the second. The course includes both theoretical aspects of the subject as well as practical elements. They are suitable for students who wish to begin their careers in the broad subject area or who wish to go on to Higher Education.

• BTEC First Certificate

  If you have GCSE qualifications in the range E - G, we recommend the BTEC Level 1 Certificate. This will enable you to build a bridge to higher level study or employment by studying a range of introductory modules in Business, Health & Social Care, IT, Sport or Public Services before progression to BTEC First Diploma.

• BTEC First Diploma

  The BTEC First Diplomas are designed to give qualifications and skills related to areas of employment. Success in them is regarded by employers and colleges as equivalent to 4 passes at GCSE grade C. Students following these courses are normally expected to have achieved a range of GCSE passes at grade D.

• GCSE

  These courses are designed for students who would like to retake or study new GCSE subjects.

• Nursery Nursing(CACHE)

  CACHE is the leading provider of education and training for qualifications in Nursery Nursing. At Itchen we offer a one-year course in the CACHE Certificate in Childcare and Education. At the end of the first year some students progress to the Diploma in Nursery Nursing which is a further one-year course.

• NVQs

  We currently offer NVQs at level 1, 2 and 3 in Business Administration and Customer Service. These London Chamber of Commerce and Industry certificated courses prepare you for careers in general office administration and they develop the skills and competencies necessary in today's changing office environment. Further options are available in IT and Customer Care.

• Essential Skills

  A one-year course designed to help students build confidence using basic skills. Five main areas of work are covered: Literacy, Numeracy, IT, the Further Education Award and Life Skills. You also have the opportunity to spend some time doing Drama and Art. No formal qualifications are needed for this course.

• Key Skills

  Whatever courses you take in Further Education you will work to targets in the Key Skills areas of Numeracy, Communications and Information Technology.