Education levels explained

We want to see you succeed and achieve your goals. Our courses and apprenticeships are designed to help you to achieve this. From Entry Level to Level 3 (which is equivalent to A Level), our courses will give you the skills and knowledge you need to progress further and enhance your CV.

Choosing your level

Based on your achieved or predicted GCSE grades, we can help you to choose the right level for you. For those applying to a Level 2 or Level 3 course, if you don’t have your GCSEs maths and/or English, you can retake these as part of your course, or study functional skills.

*Dependent on the pre-assessment for apprenticeships

**Motor Vehicle, hairdressing and beauty therapy courses may require different entry criteria.

See our course pages here for more details.

At Totton College, our aim is to enable you to maximise your potential both at college and in your future. This means making sure you are studying the right type of qualification for the career you want to follow.

Our Get Set! framework

Our courses, including BTEC, Cambridge Technical and City & Guilds accelerate your learning and enable you to identify and make progress towards your goals. Based on Nacro Education’s Get Set! framework, we combine vocational learning with essential English and maths qualifications, enriching experiences and workplace encounters to equip you for career success. Crafted alongside industry, taught by experts.

A course from Totton College is a great choice if you already have a specific career in mind. The skills you will learn provide you will actively support your employability. You’ll learn presenting, teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills gained through work placements and your classroom participation all related to your chosen industry. They also provide you with a recognised national professional qualification, which will prepare you for further study at university level or within the workplace.

As a full-time student, you can expect a tailored study programme with 540 hours of study each year, typically spread across three or four days a week, with one free day for research, assignments or work placement opportunities. Alongside your studies, you will have access to weekly one-to-one progression coaching sessions to help you navigate your career path, refine your skills, and set clear goals for your future, ensuring you’re well prepared for both educational and employment opportunities.

Explore more about Totton College

With a full range of technical and practical courses, we’re here to guide you towards a brighter, successful future. Join us at our next Open Event and take the first step towards unlocking your full potential.

Download our prospectus