Types of courses

There are two broad categories of study programmes students can enrol on at Reigate College:

• Advanced Level Programme - for students who have, or expect to achieve, five GCSE passes at grade C or above.
• Intermediate Level Programme - for students who have, or expect to achieve, four GCSE passes at grade D or above.

Advanced Level Programme

Within the Advanced Level Programme, students can sign up for the following courses:

• AS/A Levels  
• BTEC Nationals
• Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

AS/A Levels

Students who enjoy an intellectual challenge and are confident about doing well under exam conditions, are usually best suited to doing A Levels.

Most candidates will take four AS Levels in their first year at Reigate College and then take three of these on to the full A Level in their second year.

Some students do a combination of AS/A Levels and BTEC Nationals. See Mix and Match Programme.

BTEC Nationals

BTEC National courses are practical, vocational courses, assessed purely through coursework and projects. Candidates complete modules based upon real-life, workplace situations and develop the interpersonal skills needed to start and progress their careers. 

Modules are completed and assessed from the first term of College, so students should expect to work hard from day one of their courses!

The BTEC National is a flexible qualification and can be taken over one or two years.

The full National Diploma is equivalent to two A Levels and is taught as a double option over two years.

The Subsidiary Diploma is equivalent to one A Level and is taught as a single option over two years.

For most courses, the National Certificate forms the first year of the Subsidiary Diploma.  Students who decide not to continue on to the second year of the Subsidiary Diploma, can ‘cash in’ modules and be awarded the National Certificate, which is the equivalent to one AS Level.

Please note, some courses can only be taken as a full BTEC National Diploma and some BTEC Subsidiary Diploma courses cannot be dropped after the first year.  For further information please refer to the specific course information.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

This AS qualification enables students to conduct research into a specific area that’s relevant to either their academic or personal interests. It’s particularly worthwhile for students hoping to gain places on more competitive degree courses/areas of employment, since it helps them stand out at interviews.

 Students make the decision about doing the qualification at the end of their first year.

The Intermediate Level programme

This one year programme is designed for students who do not qualify for the Advanced Level Programme but who have an average of a D grade over their four best subjects at GCSE.

Many students who successfully complete the Intermediate Level Programme stay on at College for a further two years before progressing to higher education or employment.

Two types of courses are available at Intermediate Level:

• BTEC First Extended Certificate
• GCSEs

BTEC Firsts

BTEC Firsts are practical, work-related courses that introduce learners to their chosen employment area and provide a good basis to go on to a more advanced work-related qualification, or directly into employment. The BTEC First Extended Certificate is equivalent to two GCSEs (grades A*-C) and is graded as Pass, Merit or Distinction.

GCSEs

The College offers GCSEs in English, Mathematics and Science.  Students can do these GCSEs as part of either or an Intermediate or Advanced Level Programme of study. The College encourages all students to ensure they leave College with at least a grade C in Maths and English at GCSE.