Qualifications Explained
Our Education Advisers are well-trained, knowledgable course advice specialists who can help you to make the right decisions about your future! Please visit our Education Advisers page here.
Or use the links above to get an explanation of our range of qualifications. After reading this and other information on our website, if you are not sure about which course(s) to do, please phone 020 8918 7777 and ask for an Advice Interview or write AI on a College application form.
NVQs, Levels 1 - 3
An NVQ is a job-specific and work-based industry-standard qualification which reflects the skills and knowledge needed for a particular job. You can do NVQs while you are working to get qualified. If you are aged 16 - 24 and currently working, you can do NVQs level 2 & 3 as an Apprentice
BTEC (Edexcel) Award, Certificate or Diploma, Levels 1 - 5
BTECs are practical work-related qualifications focusing on a specific pathway in a sector. BTEC National Certificates and Diplomas prepare you for employment, and are respected by employers, or for entry to Higher Education
City & Guilds, Levels 1 - 3
City & Guilds are renowned industry-standard qualifications in specific trades, crafts and skills. They enable you to get the literacy, numeracy, language and ICT skills you need for life and work.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are work based training programmes open to anyone over the age of 16 living in England and not taking part in full-time education. There is no upper age limit. Entry requirements are flexible and vary to the job role because Apprenticeships are not just based on academic achievement. Your practical skills and interest in the area of work you've chosen also count. Employers value keenness to work and desire to learn.
The following programmes are currently available at South Thames College:
Electro-technical Level 3 Advanced
Plumbing (Heating & Ventilation) Level 2
Site Carpentry & Joinery Level 2
Hairdressing Level 2
Hairdressing Level 3
For more information on Apprenticeships, please contact the college on 020 8918 7777.
The Diploma
The Diploma is a new national qualification for 14-19 year olds.
Whether you've got a career in mind, hope to go to university or want to keep your options open, a Diploma is the perfect way to progress. It offers a mix of classroom learning, creative thinking and hands-on experience.
You gain a range of essential skills and knowledge, both general and work specific, and you’ll develop these in an exciting and creative way.
A Diploma is designed to give you a feel for different work and study environments. You get the opportunity to apply what you’ve learnt in real situations, and also get a taste of what college style learning offers.
Above all, a Diploma will give you experiences to help make future choices. At the end, you’ll have a better idea of what you want to do next – whether that’s employment, university, college or another study route.
For more information about The Diploma, click here.
ACCESS to Higher Education, Level 3
Thinking about changing career direction? Need a qualification to get a more fulfilling or better-paid job? Thinking of university-level studies but don’t have the right qualifications? ACCESS could be for you.
ACCESS is an intensive one-year programme for students over 19 years who want higher education but do not have formal academic qualifications or the traditional university entry requirements.
Many Access students may have missed out on later secondary education and /or may be mature students looking for opportunities that they did not take "first time round".
South Thames offers a variety of Access courses to prepare you for university level study on a range of courses.
Access courses give you a core of study & communication skills, tutorial support (including help with UCAS application), IT and units in your chosen specialist subject(s).
Access to HE qualifications have been designed with the support of UK universities, and are therefore recognised by them.
You can do your HE locally too; South Thames offer a range of Higher education qualifications (see section below).
Many Access students go on to succeed at university-level study and to new careers, seeing life changes that they never thought possible.
For more information on the national ACCESS structure, click here.
To go the ACCESS section of our website, click here
For international students, we also have a University Foundation Programme.
Higher Education, Levels 4 - 6
BTEC (Edexcel) Higher National Certificate or Diploma (HNC & HND)
Level 4 (HNC) & Level 5 (HND).
These qualifications have a stronger work related emphasis than degrees. You gain a thorough grounding in the key concepts and in the practical skills required in your chosen sector. When you get your HNC or HND, you can progress to a Foundation Degree, and many universities will accept you onto the second or final year of a degree programme.
Foundation Degree - FD Level 5.
Foundation Degrees are new, innovative degree level qualifications designed with employers, so they fit perfectly into the world of work. They offer a blend of academic and work-based learning that suits students and employers. They are similar to an HND and are run in partnership with local Universities, for example Kingston and London South Bank University.
An FD is equivalent to the first two years of a Degree course and is aimed at people who are already in relevant employment. When you get your FD, you can usually "top up" to a full BA/BSc Honours Degree with a further 12-15 months' study.
Degree - BA (Hons)
Level 6. We offer a Degree programme in association with Kingston University. You study the first 1 - 2 years with us and then finish your degree at university.
To go to the Higher Education section of our website, click here