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Vocational Studies – Level 1

Level 1

student in workshop using a hand saw

Availability & Details

Vocational Studies - Level 1 SFY-VOST1C/C01

Venue
South Downs Campus

Type of study
Vocational

Dates
Academic Year 2025-26 (1 year)

Examination board
Laser Learning Awards

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How to apply

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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. 

The course structure includes four core subjects: • Citizenship and Community • Customer Service • Employability • Functional Skills English and Mathematics • Personal Planning • PSHE There will also be a tutorial session to help, advise and guide you. You will have the opportunity to choose four Vocational subject options from: • Animal Care • Art • Automotive • Business • Catering • Hair and Beauty • Health and Social Care • IT • Media • Photography • Sport The course also offers you the opportunity to participate in valuable enterprise activities.

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 very, very happy, I didn’t expect to do so well. The College has been helpful and supportive. I loved my courses, and the teachers were really good – every single one of them. The facilities are great, but it’s the staff that really make this place.

Matthew Randell, A Level student

The teaching and support was absolutely brilliant, they couldn’t have done anything more or anything better, if I had any questions my lecturers would always stay behind to help me if I needed it and their emails were always open, it was second to none. This college is the best by far.

Amber Searle, BTEC student

I would say it’s a college that really balances academia with fun, there is lots of extra-curricular stuff that you can get involved in. It has a really good work/life balance.

Laura Hagedorn, A Level student