Skip to Content | Accessibility Help | Menu

 
 
photo of student reading a book

How to Choose Your Courses

The courses you choose at St Brendan's are exactly that – your choice. In the vast majority of cases there are no constraints on combinations of courses, due to the large numbers of individual groups within subject areas. It may be difficult for you to make final decisions when so much is on offer, but the following pages may help you, and of course we will always be available to advise and guide you when it is required.

The level of course you study depends on your GCSE examination results. Further explanation of the level of courses you should study is provided below. You should also consider the following points whilst choosing which courses would suit you best.

  • Do I achieve better results in coursework or examinations?
  • Which subjects will I enjoy?
  • Which GCSE subjects am I good at?
  • Are there new subjects that I have not studied before?
  • What are my future career aspirations?

To help you decide you should consult:

  • Careers staff or Connexions staff
  • Parents and teachers
  • Subject specialists available at Open Evenings
  • Course leaflets for detailed information of course content
  • College Tutors at your admission interview

Back to the top.

Two Year Full Time Programmes

Level 3

If you are studying at Level 3, you can combine AS/A2 and BTEC Nationals. They all carry university entrance points – the difference is in the way they are taught and assessed. Generally, traditional AS and A Levels are academic subjects and rely on examinations and coursework, whereas vocational courses such as BTECs are assessed by practical work and assignments. Most students take a combination of four courses at Level 3, remembering BTEC National Certificates count as two courses.

Back to the top.

One Year Full Time Programmes

Level 2

Choose one from a range of BTEC First Diplomas or OCR National Level 2 Courses which are often taken alongside a GCSE (Mathematics, English, Biology).

Level 1

The BTEC Introductory Diploma in IT @ Work plus Keyskills, Introductory Spanish and Careers Education provide a comprehensive mix to enable progression to Level 2.

Back to the top.