The Truth About College

As a parent you understandably want the best for your children and helping them choose where to study after completing their GCSEs can sometimes produce more questions than answers.

There are often many common misconceptions and myths around attending college and vocational qualifications.

Below is some factual information that we hope will help you make a more informed decision about your child applying for college…

After successfully completing a Level 3 vocational qualification your child has the equivalent to 3 A-level qualifications. This entitles your child to apply for university* in the same way an A-level student can. Alternatively your child could stay with Walsall College to study higher education at a fraction of the cost of university.

Our vocational qualifications are designed with the help of industry leaders and equip students with the essential skills employers are looking for. Dependant on your child's chosen career route, it can be essential to hold a vocational qualification.

On joining Walsall College all students are required to sign a respect agreement and in the rare instance where a student misbehaves and breaks this agreement, staff work quickly to help get them back on track and also ensure the learning experience of other students is not affected.

From award winning Information, Advice and Guidance officers to support with additional learning needs, Walsall College offers all the support your child needs to succeed. We also hold dedicated career weeks for each course area, which include talks from industry professionals and universities to broaden students’ horizons, raise their aspirations and inform them of all the career options available in their chosen field. While master classes from industry professionals help to prepare students for the real world of work.

The Government has changed the law meaning all young people have to stay in education or training until the academic year they turn 18.

That doesn’t mean students have to stay at school! They can enrol on a course at college or do an Apprenticeship and train whilst working. Choose a route that suits your ambitions:

  • Academic or vocational training
  • Apprenticeships

Students aged 16-18 at the start of the course will be expected to study maths and English as mandatory requirements and as a part of their study programme.

If your child has obtained a grade D / Level 3 or lower on their English or maths GCSE, we can support them towards working to a grade C / Level 4 or higher. This will be studied alongside a full time course.

*Please check entry criteria for specific university courses