The Isle of Wight College has standard entry requirements for full-time college courses, depending on the level of the course to be studied.
There may be additional entry requirements for a small number of specialist courses. If this course is one of these specialist courses, additional entry requirements will be stated below.
Two Years Full Time or Part Time (for over 19’s).
All students called for interview will have a power point overview of the area given to them by a senior member of the Land Based team, normally the Curriculum Manager. When this is completed all parents and students are welcome to ask questions to gain a better understanding of their course and life at the Isle of Wight College.
Once all students are happy, each student is individually called for a 15 minute interview to enable staff and student to make an informed choice as to the suitability of the course and college life for them.
All students are given an answer as to whether or not they are able to join their preferred choice though some provisos are put in place to ensure the required entry standard is reached before joining their course; this ensures all students are challenged and capable of completing their qualification to a good standard to help them have a wider range of choices when they join the world of employment.
Please bring a pen with you to the interview, a school report/record of achievement with you (for school leavers) and a piece of research work as requested.
The level 3 course is designed as specialist qualifications for students who have a clear view of their future career or are seeking progression to higher education. They are equivalent to ‘A’ levels and are highly valued by universities, further education colleges and employers alike.
Level 3 Extended Diploma equivalent to 3 GCE A levels
Level 3 Diploma equivalent to 2 GCE A levels
*When you successfully complete your level 3 course you will be awarded UCAS points. The points awarded vary depending on the final grade achieved the range is from PPP to DDD.
Mandatory Units
Plus
Alongside the main qualification, you will be required to take part in various additional activities throughout the two years. These are often related to employment, interview skills, or to career progression, personal development or health and safety skills. They provide a rounded CV for you which will help with your employment at the end of the course.
You will learn through a combination of assignments, projects, synoptic tests and practical activities based around your theoretical knowledge. Particularly important will be the development of key employment skills relevant to work in this area. To assist with this you will undertake a mandatory work experience placement which is usually one day per week. The qualification after two years is a total of 18 units for Extended Diploma, 12 units for Diploma, giving the full qualification.
You will also be expected to allow around two days a week for personal study and assessment completion.
The units are graded P (Pass), M (Merit) and D (Distinction). You must achieve a minimum of a pass grade in each unit to qualify for a qualification grade. A qualification grade of Pass, Merit, Distinction or Distinction* will be stated on the certificate. A Pass is not seen as having progressed from Level 2
BTEC Level 3 courses are highly valued by employers and universities. Students may take up employment opportunities in: