Colleges and Sixth Forms

There are lots of different qualifications to choose from so it’s important to think about:

• ​Where you would learn best
• What level of qualification suits you best
• What type of qualification you would enjoy doing.

What is the difference between going to a college and attending a Sixth Form?

• ​Colleges offer a range of courses for different abilities. All learners are aged 16 and over and there is no uniform. Colleges are bigger than schools and some colleges may have different colleges (or campuses) in different places e.g. Rotherham College and Dearne Valley who are part of the RNN Group.
• Sixth forms generally focus on courses that are more academic. Sixth forms are part of a school so the day is organised like a school day with learners aged 11 and up. Most sixth forms do not have a school uniform and have an area in school that is just for sixth form students to use (a common room). They also offer a small number of vocational courses.

What level should I choose?

​There are different entry requirements depending upon what GCSE grades you are predicted/achieve:

Entry Level         No formal qualifications.

Level 1                 GCSE grades 1 or lower

Level 2                 GCSE grades 2 to 3

Level 3                 GCSE grades 4 to 9

What type of qualification should I choose?

A Levels

​A Levels are Level 3 courses and can be achieved in two years; year one is the AS Level. To achieve a full A Level you need to complete a second year of study at A2. You can choose to study traditional subjects as Maths, English, Geography, Physics or choose to study new subjects such as Economics, Law, Philosophy or Sociology.

​Generally speaking A levels are assessed through exams and coursework BUT some are 100% exams. You will get a grade A* – E.

​Vocational Certificates and Diplomas

Available at Level 2 and Level 3 and take one to two years to complete, depending upon the level.  Can be taken alone or combined with other qualifications in some circumstances and depending on your college or sixth form. You can choose from a range of subjects such as Sports, Art and Design, Health and Social Care, Media, Public Services or Science. 

Vocational qualifications are assessed through coursework and many have work experience placements built in as part of the course. You will get a Distinction/*, Merit or Pass.

T Levels

T Levels are new courses which follow GCSEs and are equivalent to 3 A levels. These 2-year courses, which launched September 2020, have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses so that the content meets the needs of industry and prepares students for work, further training or study.

T Levels offer students a mixture of classroom learning and ‘on-the-job’ experience during an industry placement of at least 315 hours (approximately 45 days).

You complete a folder of work (a portfolio) to prove that you can do specific work-related tasks.

Local Colleges and Sixth Forms

Here is a list of local colleges and sixth forms. Search for the college/sixth form website to access information about their offer for Post 16 pathways.

​Rotherham College

Dearne Valley College (DVC)

Sheffield College

​Barnsley College

Doncaster College

Thomas Rotherham College 

Chapeltown Academy

Longley Park Sixth Form College

Wickersley Sixth Form

Maltby Sixth Form

Wales High School Sixth Form

Dinnington Sixth Form

Wath Sixth Form

Aston Academy

Plus others in Sheffield, Doncaster and Barnsley.

There are also special training providers for Sports, Dance and Performing Arts, plus others.