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Study at Coleg Sir Gâr

Coleg Sir Gar offers a wide variety of education and training to a wide variety of people and organisations. These could be school leavers or people who want to learn new trades, pursue employment opportunities or increase career and job prospects. Others may be looking to return to education after a break or are simply looking to develop new practical skills, pastimes or hobbies. Organisations and employers have a need to develop their staff and provide them with the training to improve efficiency and productivity. At Coleg Sir Gâr  we provide a wide range of courses and programmes to meet those needs as well as those driven by employment trends, social and community needs.

Find out whether Coleg Sir Gâr  can help meet your needs  by browsing on the  individual sections in left hand menu or click on the links below     

Term Dates 2009/2010

Further Education Qualifications Guide

You can study a wide range of further education qualifications at Coleg Sir Gâr, here's a simple guide to what they all mean and the usual entry requirement:

• GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education)
  Usually taken in school as nationally recognised qualifications. Many mature students come to Coleg Sir Gâr to study GCSEs if they left schools with few formal qualifications. You can take Maths, English language, Human Biology, French, German, Information Systems and Spanish at the college.     Entry Requirements :an informal interview to demonstrate an interest and potential to  progress.
• A and AS Levels (Advanced and Advanced Supplementary Levels)
  Often taken after GCSEs as a route to higher education, all A level subjects now have two separate and distinct parts - AS and A2. Any student wishing to follow and AS/A Level programme has to enrol for an AS qualification in the first year. At the end of the first year AS examinations are taken. The AS is a nationally recognised qualification in its own right and is equal to half an A Level. On successful completion of an AS, students can choose to bank the qualification at the level or to continue the subject to A2 and obtain a full A Level qualification. Students who do not continue a subject to A2 will have the opportunity to choose additional AS subjects in their second year. Entry Requirements:
  To study a full time AS / A Level programme students will usually be expected to have achieved a minimum of five GCSEs at Grades A* - C at one sitting. Individual subjects may ask for a specific grade in that particular subject - please refer to the individual A Level subjects.
• Advanced Supplementary General Certificate of Education (ASGCE used to be AVCE). Vocational A levels are qualifications which enable students to develop skills, knowledge and understanding in the vocational area they are studying and prepare them for both the world of work and progression to Higher Education. They are designed to equip students with up-to-date knowlegde, skills and understanding of the underpinning principles and processes of the sectors they represent. Entry requirements: Usually you will be expected to have achieved a minimum of four GCSEs at grades A* - C or to have successfully completed an Intermediate GNVQ or First Diploma or equivalent qualification.
• National Diplomas
  The National Diploma is a vocational qualification at an advanced level that can be mixed and matched with A Levels. It usally takes two years to complete a ND course. Entry requirements: Usually you will be expected to have achieved a minimum of four GCSEs at grades A* - C or to have successfully completed an Intermediate GNVQ or First Diploma or equivalent qualification.
• First Diploma First Diplomas are a one year, Level 2 qualification for students who would like to take up a career in a broad occupational area. They are vocational courses that develop knowledge, skills and understanding for employment or progression to a National Diploma.
  Students will experience a broad range of study in preparation for a wide range of careers in the vocational area. All First Diploma programmes include Key Skills in Communication, Application of Number and Information Technology. Some courses include the opportunity to develop other skills relevant to the occupational area and work experience. First Diplomas are the established Level 2 qualification for students with GCSEs (grades D-G), or satisfactory completion of an appropriate programme at Level 1. They are recognised and understood by employers and provide an excellent stepping-stone to National Diplomas.
• NVQ (National Vocational Qualifications)
  NVQs are offered from levels 1 to 5 and can be gained through college study supported by workplace experience. They have been designed to develop the required skills that are specified by employers.  NVQ Level 1: Usually subject to a successful interview.
  NVQ Level 2: At least 2 GCSEs at grade D or above / NVQ 1 / GNVQ Foundation.
  NVQ Level 3: At least 4 GCSEs at grades C and above / NVQ 2 / GNVQ Intermediate / Suitable First Diploma.
  NVQ Level 4: A Levels / National Diploma / GNVQ Advanced / AVCE / NVQ 3 in relevant field.
  
• OCN (Open College Network)
  These are practical bite-sized courses from entry level up to level 3.