Frequently Asked Questions

Vocational courses are related to areas of work like Engineering or Health Care and are excellent if you know what kind of career you want. There’s usually more emphasis on coursework than exams and it’s often about learning practical skills that you can apply to the working world. You can go to university after studying a Vocational course.

A Levels tend to be a little more like GCSEs as they can be more exam based with more of a focus on theory. You will select 3 or 4 choices from a much wider range of subjects including new options like Environmental Science or Psychology. Studying A-Levels means that you can keep your options open if you want to go to university but aren’t sure what career to follow. Also, for some careers, like medicine, A Levels may be your only route.

It’s all about you; think about your style of learning and how you prefer to do things. If you like practical tasks then you might look at a Vocational course, but if you prefer facts and exams, then A Levels might be for you.

The Diplomas are academic but also a hands on style of learning. They combine theory with practical activities. You’ll enjoy learning in different environments including the workplace, choosing to study subjects which interest you and tackling challenging projects. On a Diploma course, you’ll also study English, Maths and ICT, while developing skills such as communication and project management that employers really value. The Diploma gives you an introduction to a broad range of careers within a particular industry, and prepares you for a wide range of jobs and university courses.

Apprenticeships are a great way to start or develop a career whilst improving your prospects of finding a job in the industry you have chosen by doing a real job for a real employer.

You can get an Apprenticeship in a wide range of industries like Accountancy, Agriculture, Business Administration, Construction, Engineering, Hair and Beauty and Horticulture, plus many more.

As an Apprentice you will learn on the job, building up knowledge and skills, gaining qualifications and earning money at the same time. You will work toward a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) and tend to spend four days working with an employer and one day a week in College gaining your qualification.

Getting an Apprenticeship is like getting a job. You could be interviewed a few times and even asked to take tests to see if you’re the right person. It would be a good idea to contact a number of employers to keep your options open – so don’t get disheartened. Remember, be prepared to sell yourself and convince others that an Apprenticeship is right for you.

If you are attending a Barnsley School you should apply online using the Barnsley Prospectus. This can be accessed via www.logon2careersbarnsley.co.uk or www.barnsley1419.info. Please contact your School Careers Teacher, Connexions Personal Advisor or College Information Adviser for further information.

Paper applications are available in the back of the College Course Guides or you can download application forms using the links to the left

If you have any problems or are unsure how to apply online please contact your School Careers Teacher, Connexions Personal Advisor or College Information Adviser.

You will then be contacted by Barnsley College inviting you in for an interview for each subject area you are interested in. If you’re unable to attend, or miss an appointment, you must contact Admissions or email Interviews@barnsley.ac.uk to arrange another appointment.

Don’t worry, if you haven’t attended your first interview you can discuss your options at this point. Alternatively, if you change your mind after the interviews have been arranged all your details are held on our computer and we can easily make changes - there’s no need to complete another Application Form. Please contact Admissions or email interviews@barnsley.ac.uk.

Please bring with you any information you have which will help us give you the best possible individual advice and guidance. This may include School references, recent School reports, work experience, awards, certificates or work references.

At each subject area interview you will receive a letter stating the outcome. You will either have an Unconditional Offer, Conditional Offer or be Withdrawn.

• Unconditional Offer means you have already met the entry requirements for the course and have a place.
• Conditional Offer means you have a place on the course, subject to achieving the entry requirements e.g. getting the right GCSE’s, or passing any entry assessments.
• Withdrawn means you have informed us you have withdrawn your application dor this area.

An Enrolment Booklet will be sent to you in the middle of August. This will contain all you need to know about enrolling to College.

Enrolment is where you officially sign-up for your course and is usually held at the end of August after you have received your GCSE results.

Don’t panic! You will be sent an Enrolment Booklet that will include details of our Advice and Guidance sessions for applicants who are unsure about their plans and /or disappointed with their GCSE results.

You will not pay tuition or exam fees if*:

1. You are aged 16-18 (under 19 on 31 August 2011).
2. You are over 19 on 31 August 2011 and you are in receipt of income-based benefits at the start of your course. Income based benefits include:
    • Job Seekers allowance.
    • Working Tax Credit (if household income is under £15,276).
    • Income Support.
    • Council Tax Benefit (not single occupier)
    • Housing Benefit
    • Pension Guarantee Credit.
    • Unwaged dependants of the above and on Jobseekers Allowance.
3. You are looking to study your first full Level 2 qualification.
4. You are 19-25 years old and looking to study your first full Level 3 qualification.

*Some courses may still require you to pay a tuition or exam fee. Please contact:

Student Services
t: 01226 216 114  or  01226 216 267
e: studentsupport@barnsley.ac.uk or call in to Room B164 at the Old Mill Lane site.

If you are a full-time learner, you live in South Yorkshire and are aged 16-17 when you enrol, you are entitled to a Concessionary Student Travel Pass. Application forms are available from your school, your local Travel South Yorkshire Centre or our Student Services team.

If you are a full-time learner under 20 years old, Care to Learn offers financial support towards the cost of childcare and associated travel costs. Learners must be caring for their own child(ren), living in England and using a registered childcare provider. For further information and an application pack, contact the Care to Learn Helpline on 0845 600 2809. Further Information is also available if you visit www.dfes.gov.uk/caretolearn

Your Tutorial Learning Mentor is there to listen to any problems you may have. We also offer confidential help and support from Counsellors based at College.

Your Course Tutors and Tutorial Learning Mentors are there to offer support and guidance if you experience any problems or difficulties with any aspect of College life, or problems which may affect your progress. Tutorials are part of your learning and a key focus of this is to sustain learner motivation, help you keep your progress on track and monitor attendance etc.

Your Course Tutor, our Careers Advisor and Connexions staff can help you in choosing your next step – courses, applying to Higher Education, employment opportunities etc.  There are also events throughout the year e.g. Progression Events, trips to universities etc. to help you decide what is the best choice for you.

You are expected to take more responsibility for your own learning at College than you may have been used to. Depending on which course you study, you will need to spend time on assignments on your own or in small groups, researching on the internet, working on certain projects e.g. rehearsing or practising musical shows etc. The more work and time you spend on this at College the less ‘homework’ you will need to do.

If you don’t achieve the grades you expected – or get better ones – you can discuss your options at your enrolment session before term starts, contact the Information Team on t: 01226 216 123, come along to an Information Session. Look out for other events run by the College or Connexions.