Your courses

Click Apply now above and continue to stage 2 where you can review and choose courses 2 to apply for.

Levels Explained

Are you trying to make sense of your grades? Are you unsure about what you can study?

Our handy Levels Explained Guide will provide you with all the information you need including what your qualifications mean and what the next level of progression looks like.

Entry Level

Entry Requirements: Entry Level is for people who don’t have any previous qualifications

What are Entry Level qualifications?

Entry level award, certificate or diploma
Entry level English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Entry level Essential Skills or entry level Functional Skills
Skills for Life

Level 1

Entry Requirements: At West Lancashire College, you can typically study a Level 1 subject if you hold 1 GCSE at grade 3 or above, along with 2 GCSEs at grade 2 or above in English and Maths. *

What are the Level 1 qualifications?

First certificate
GCSE – Grades 3,2,1 or grades D, E, F, G
Level 1 award, certificate or diploma
Level 1 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Level 1 Essential Skills or Level 1 Functional Skills
Level 1 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)

Level 2

Entry Requirements: At West Lancashire College, you can typically study a Level 2 subject if you hold 4 GCSEs at grade 3 or above including English and Maths, or a Level 1 qualification in a relevant subject. *

What are the Level 2 qualifications?

GCSE grades 9,8,7,6,5,4 or grades A*, A, B, C
Intermediate Apprenticeship
CSE – Grade -1
Level 2 award, certificate or diploma
Level 2 Extended Certificate
Level 2 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Level 2 Essential Skills or Level 2 Functional Skills
Level 2 National Certificate or Level 2 National Diploma
Level 2 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)
GCE O-Levels – grade A, B or C

Level 3

Entry Requirements: At West Lancashire College, you can typically study a Level 3 subject if you hold 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including a level 3 and a level 4 in English and Maths (in either order). The requirements may vary slightly depending on which subject you would like to study. You may also study with a relevant Level 2 qualification. *

What are the Level 3 qualifications?

AS Level
GCE A-Level
Access to Higher Education
Advanced Apprenticeship
International baccalaureate diploma
Level 3 award, certificate, diploma
Level 3 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Level 3 National Certificate or Level 3 National Diploma
Level 3 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)
T Levels

16-18 College

Courses for school leavers at West Lancashire College will help to build skills, confidence and knowledge needed to progress to employment, an apprenticeship or university.

Adults

Looking to change your career or to develop your skills to help you start your own business? West Lancashire College have a fantastic variety of Adult courses available.