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School Leavers

Why should I study at Furness College?

  • All our full-time courses lead to national qualifications
  • These national qualifications are recognised by: Universities, employers and other professional bodies
  • On offer are an unparalleled range of courses
  • You will be treated as an adult and study in an adult environment
  • We provide the opportunity for progression and development to the next level of study, employment or Higher Education
  • A network of support is provided for all your requirements

Choosing the right qualifications

Furness College offers an extensive range of VOCATIONAL qualifications, from entry qualifications to degree level.


What are Vocational Qualifications?

  • They make you more competent in a specific vocational area and therefore more employable
  • Let you experience the real working environment
  • Can give you a route into university
  • Give you the opportunity to study a specific subject area in depth
  • Develop your numeracy, communication and IT skills
  • Give you experience of working individually and as part of a team

Entry Requirements

Possible Course/Progression

AS or A Levels, AVCE, BTEC National Diplomas or NVQ 3

Level 4: Higher/University Education

Combined Honours Degree, Higher National Diploma/Certificate (HND/C), NVQ 4, Foundation Degree, Bachelor of Engineering or Teacher Training.

GCSEs (A - Cs_, GNVQ Intermediate, BTEC First Diploma or NVQ 2

Level 3:

BTEC National Diploma, BTEC National Certificate, NVQ 3, Access to HE, AS/A Level, or AVCE.

GCSEs (D-Es) or GNVQ Foundation, or NVQ 1

Level 2:

BTEC First Diploma, GNVQ Intermediate, NVQ 2, GCSEs, Vocational GCSEs or Access to HE

GCSEs (F-Gs), or Entry Level Programme

Level 1:

NVQ 1or GNVQ Foundation.

No requirements

Entry Level Programmes

See Vocational Preparation p57.


BTEC National Diplomas are equivalent to 3 A Levels

BTEC National Certificates are equivalent to 2 A Levels

BTEC National Awards are equivalent to 1 A Level

NVQ - National Vocational Qualifications

These courses are:

  • Aimed at providing students with the relevant skills and knowledge in a specific career area
  • Ideal if you have identified the job you want and wish to train for, or if you are already employed and want to improve your skills
  • No formal examinations
  • Continually assessed on competencies in the work environment

BTEC Diplomas

  • These are vocational qualifications which are valued by industry and higher education alike. They can be studied at either First or National level.
  • The National Diploma is equivalent to approximately three A Levels.

Will I have to study Key Skills?

  • As part of their course every student will develop their skills of Information Technology, Communication and Application of Number
  • They are a separate qualification in their own right
  • They develop skills employers value
  • There are opportunities to undertake the extended Key Skills of Problem Solving, Working With Others and Improving Own Learning and Performance.

What else is on offer?

You can:

  • Mix and match programmes of study
  • Combine general vocational training with practical work-related training
  • Follow a single course or a broader mix of subjects in your first year or throughout your studies

Our breadth of provision ensures that our students have the flexibility to choose options that interest and motivate them as well as providing progression into Higher Education or employment.