Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Vocational Studies – Level 1

Level 1

student working at a till

Availability & Details

Vocational Studies - Level 1 SFY-VOST1C/C01

Venue
South Downs Campus

Type of study
Vocational

Dates
Academic Year 2026-27 (1 year)

Examination board
Laser Learning Awards

Apply Now

Contact us


Overview

This externally accredited course is designed to prepare you for working or further study in an area of your choice. It also focuses on personal progression, confidence-building and social inclusion.

Vocational Studies Level 1 will help you to develop a range of key employability skills, improve your English and Mathematics levels and give you the opportunity to personalise your timetable while trying a range of different Vocational subjects to help you focus on what you would like to do in the future. Throughout the course, you will be encouraged to work together with your peers, find solutions to problems, overcome barriers and discover what it is to be part of a community. This course has been developed to meet the needs of 16-19 year olds with few or no formal qualifications and learners with SEND. There are slightly smaller tutor groups on this course, encouraging all individuals to participate and work at a pace that meets their own learning style and speed

Entry Level 3 or equivalent qualifications. Successful screening assessments in English and Mathematics.

Alongside your English and Maths studies, you will be asked to choose one of the four Vocational pathways that the course offers:

  • Creative
  • Active
  • Services
  • Travel & Tourism

Each of these pathways have been designed to increase your skills and knowledge in this Vocational area. Embedded into this study programme are core sessions on:

  • Citizenship
  • IT
  • Personal Planning & Finance

Alongside your main course, you will have:

  • Employability sessions – facilitated by a Job Coach to help you produce a Vocational Profile and/or CV
  • Tutorial sessions to help guide and advise you in your journey at HSDC

Teaching will take place in small groups in classrooms or workshops and is portfoliobased. Practical sessions will be delivered in our well-equipped and professional subject vocational areas, such as our automotive workshop, sports hall and fitness centre, hair and beauty salon and professional training kitchens. You will have easy access to a range of IT and digital resources to support you in all areas of learning.

This is a portfolio assessed qualification. Only functional skills English and Maths or GCSE are subject to a final exam. Assessment of your work will be ongoing throughout the course. These could include practical assessments, question and answer sessions, peer assessment, observations and formative and summative feedback on your progress.

Some vocational options may be subject to a £10 contribution per term.

On successful completion, the progression routes include other Level 1 or Level 2 subject-specific courses or a Supported Internship.


I’m really happy and pleased with my grades. I really loved my time at the college, I have also made lots of friends, it’s a really nice place to be, I don’t want to leave.

Lauren Piper, A Level student

I overcame a couple of barriers by working really hard to get the top grades. My experience was really good, with the course and the lecturers, the residentials and activities, together it was all really good. I had really great teaching support, I could always go to the lecturers and speak to them if I needed to.

David Stenning, Public Services student

The teaching and support was really great, the quality was really great, all the teachers really care about your education as well as your wellbeing, they take everything into consideration and they’re great.

Katie Whittingham, A Level student