Programme of Study: Level 3

Entry requirements: At least 5 A* - C grade GCSEs, including Maths and English.

Additional Entry Requirements

For some subjects there are additional entry requirements. These are listed with the detailed course information leaflets. If you are studying a vocational course at school, please ask your teacher how many GCSEs it is equivalent to and check our requirements at Open Evening.

Typical Level 3 (Advanced) Programmes

There are a range of courses to choose from at this level; some more academic, some more vocational. Please come to our Open Evenings, use our website and speak to your careers advisers at school to gather as much information as you can about the different types of courses and the different subjects available. We will discuss your course choices with you at your interview.

A Levels (AS/A2)

An A Level is made up of an AS (taken in the first year) and an A2 (taken in the second year). The AS makes up 50% of the final A Level grade. An AS is, however, a qualification in its own right. Once at college progression from an AS to an A2 course is normal, although it is not automatic.

Some subjects are offered as an Applied A Level. These courses are in vocational areas, are more coursework-based and are suitable for students who want to combine a vocational subject with conventional A Levels.

There are 47 courses to choose from.

A Levels (AS/A2) Double

Health and Social Care is offered as Double AS/A2s. This course, equivalent to 2 AS/A2s, is often taken by students who have a related career in mind and want to focus their studies in this area. You can combine this course with two additional AS’s.

BTEC Certificates, Diplomas and Extended Diplomas

These courses are vocational qualifications which are assessed entirely through assignments and may include work experience placements. You can progress from these courses either to Higher Education to study a degree or directly to employment. Students who choose these courses tend to be those who are interested in working in these fields later in life.

• BTEC Certificate:
  Generally considered to be the equivalent of 1 AS course. If you continue this course for 2 years, you achieve a Subsidiary Diploma.
• BTEC Diploma:
  Generally considered to be the equivalent to 2 AS/A2 courses.
• BTEC Extended Diploma:
  Generally considered to be the equivalent to 3 AS/A2 courses.

Courses are offered in IT and Sport and grades awarded are Pass, Merit or Distinction.

New Advanced Diplomas

Peter Symonds College, in conjunction with the Winchester consortium of schools and colleges, is accredited to offer a new Advanced Diploma. The new Diplomas seek to combine both academic and applied learning, giving young people opportunities to learn in authentic work environments. A full Diploma would be equivalent to 3½ A Levels.

We offer the Advanced Diploma in:

• Business, Administration and Finance

Student View

"I feel Symonds has offered me great quality subjects that have kept me interested. College has made feel very independent but has also helped me whenever I have needed it. There is a great social vibe about the campus with so many new people and new interests along the way."

Daniel Bliss, Perins School
Geography, Chemistry, Biology, Photography