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School Leavers

Are you a young person who is about to leave, or has recently left school?

We’re the largest education provider in the local area and we offer a huge choice of academic and vocational courses at a range of levels, so there’s sure to be one that’s right for you.

Our modern facilities, excellent support services, and knowledgeable teaching staff are there because we want you to have the best College experience possible.

Careers Explorer

Try the Careers Explorer, designed to help you find a good career by providing the most current local data on wages, employment, job postings, and associated education and training.

Careers Explorer

Which path will you take?

Your routes to success
A Levels

Our Sixth Form is a supportive environment that provides a stepping stone to higher education and employment. There are 17 A Level subjects or a wide range of Advanced Level vocational courses to choose from.

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T Levels

T Levels are new courses on offer from September 2021, which will be equivalent to three A Levels. T Levels combine classroom theory, practical learning and minimum of 315 hours’ industry placement to make sure students have real experience of the workplace.

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Vocational Courses

If you have a specific career in mind, or prefer practical ways of learning, choose from a wide range of Advanced Level Diplomas in professions such as engineering, construction, accountancy, nursing, medicine, architecture, or law.

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Apprenticeships

Combine on-the-job training in the workplace with an employer and study at College to gain relevant qualifications. Available at Levels 2, 3, and 4. Apprenticeships offer the ability to earn a wage and learn at the same time.

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Foundation Learning

A mix of vocational study, tasters and English and maths, for those who would like to learn independent living skills, personal and social development, employability and progress academically to a higher level.

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Reasons to choose Wakefield College

College is different from school. Our social spaces are designed to give you space to take a break and meet with friends. We’ve invested millions of pounds in new and refurbished facilities at Wakefield City Campus, including a fantastic new Creative Industries Center and more.

Our Starbucks cafe in the Harrison Building is a popular place to meet friends and enjoy a drink and a snack.

The LibraryPlus centre at the Wakefield City Campus spans over three floors.

We’ve invested millions of pounds in new and refurbished facilities at Wakefield City Campus, including a fantastic new floor of science labs.

We’ve invested in extensive facilities for sports and public services students, including a gym, sports hall, climbing wall, fitness testing lab, therapy and massage suite, and sports pitches.

Our award-winning Gaskell’s Restaurant is operated by our hospitality & catering students and is open to the public.

The Waterton Building is our performing arts centre with the 160-seat Mechanics’ Theatre at the heart. It’s just a five-minute walk from our Wakefield City Campus and includes dance and drama studios, spacious rehearsal rooms, and specialist facilities including a backstage workshop for production design and construction.

We offer support services so you can succeed in your studies and progress to the next step in your journey.

Getting involved in enrichment activities can really boost your CV and UCAS application to make you stand out from the crowd! There are loads of activities to get involved in including trips, volunteering and competitions, which you can do as part of your course or just for fun, and it’s a great way to meet new people.

Wakefield College has something for everyone - our aim is to get you started at the right level and on the best route for you.

Finding the right level for you

This table shows our courses and typical minimum entry requirements. Many courses have additional entry requirements, so make sure you check the individual course listings for more information.

If you need help choosing the right course, get in touch with the Course Information Team on 01924 789111 or come along to our open events to speak to our staff and students.

Jargon Buster

Our Jargon Buster is here to help make sense of some of the acronyms and tricky terms you may encounter in relation to both further and higher education whilst reading through the content on this website.

Level Qualifications Minimum Entry Requirements
Entry FLEX (Foundation Learning) No specific qualifications
Level 1 Level 1 vocational Courses Minimum of Entry Level 3 qualifications in English Language and Maths
Level 2 Level 2 vocational Courses 4 GCSEs at grade A*-D (new grade 9-3) usually with English Language and Maths at grade 4-2
Level 2 Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeships GCSEs at grade 9-3 in English and Maths
Level 3 A Levels 5 GCSEs at grade A*-C (new grade 9-4) in at least 4 subject areas, including GCSE English and Maths
Level 3 T-Levels 5 GCSEs at grade A*-C (new grade 9-4) in at least 4 subject areas, including GCSE English and Maths
Level 3 Level 3 Diplomas & Extended Diplomas 5 GCSEs at grade A*-C (new grade 9-4) in at least 4 subject areas, including GCSE English and Maths
Level 3 Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeships 5 GCSEs at grade A*-C (new grade 9-4)

Levels 4 and above are higher education courses (university level courses).

Get a Prospectus

School Leaver Prospectus 2024/25

The School Leaver Prospectus contains all the options available at Castleford College & Wakefield College for those about to leave school, including A Levels, T Levels, vocational courses, Apprenticeships and Foundation Learning courses.

Open Prospectus PDF Download [5MB]

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Sixth Form Guide

Why choose the Sixth Form at Wakefield College? An overview of the first-class facilities and subjects available.

Open Prospectus

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How to Apply

Choosing your course and making an application

Decisions, decisions...
Browse through the prospectus, come to our open days, or talk to your parents, friends, and teachers about the courses you’re interested in to help you decide what you want to study. If you need more information call our Course Information Team on 01924 789111.

Apply online
Apply direct to College using the School Leaver Application Form

Or, you complete an application form in the School Leaver prospectus or call Course Information and we’ll post one out to you.

You will be invited for interview for your first choice course only. Make the most of your interview – this is your chance to ask questions and make sure the course and the college are right for you.

Congrats! You receive an offer in writing.
Whether you applied online or by form, you will need to accept the place by returning the acceptance form that came with your offer letter or call the Admissions team on 01924 789110.

Attend a pre-induction event in June of July to speak to tutors and other students and find out what college life is like.

We’ll send you details of enrolment sessions at College so you can formally register for your course and get your student ID badge.

Key Dates
September

You can send in your application form now. Once we’ve received it you’ll be sent details of your interview within two weeks.

September/October

Find out about us and your options when we visit your school for the launch of our prospectuses.

October

You can now apply online.

Interview evenings run regularly from October onwards.

April

Have you submitted your application? If not, do so as soon as possible. Applications received by 1st May will be given priority for an interview date. If you need advice please call our Course Information Team on 01924 789111.

August

GCSE results released, if you need help or advice about your next steps, call us or visit our guidance events.

Enrolments - August from GCSE results day until the Friday before the first week of teaching.

September

Induction week – first week of term.

What next?

Choose your path...

A Levels T Levels Vocational Courses Apprenticeships Foundation Learning