About WCG

Find out about how we work, what we have to offer and why you should study with us

Hello & welcome

We understand that the next stage in your education is important and that there are a lot of decisions to make. Don’t worry, we’re here to help!

This online prospectus is packed full of information about all our courses across all of our sites, showing the different levels, what they mean and what you can do after completing them.

Why study with us?

Choice

Having six colleges across Warwickshire and Worcestershire, each with their own specialist subjects, we can offer you a huge choice as well as specialist expertise that you won’t find in school.

Locations

Every college has regular bus or train routes running to them every day, so we are sure that there will be an option for you.

Find out more about transport to college

Freedom

At college you will be treated like an adult, focus on a subject you are genuinely interested in and discover a whole new group of friends.

Support

Ensuring you are successful in your studies and beyond is something we take very seriously.

Find out more about Student Support

Why study with us?

WCG was awarded a ‘Good’ grade by Ofsted in May 2024

Over 96%* of our learners progress to further study, university, apprenticeships or other employment.

^*2022 leavers data

Education explained

ENTRY LEVEL

Qualification:

Vocational Entry Level

Typical Entry Requirements:

No formal qualifications required to enrol on these courses

Progression:

Level 1 course
Supported Internship

LEVEL 1

Qualification:

Foundation Learning Level 1
Level 1 Diploma

Typical Entry Requirements:

Entry Level 3 English and maths
GCSEs grade 1 – 2

Progression:

Level 2 course
Employment
Intermediate Apprenticeship

Education explained

LEVEL 2

Qualification:

Level 2 Certificate / Extended Certificate / Diploma - equivalent to between 1 and 4 GCSEs at grade 4 – 9
Intermediate Apprenticeship (Level 2)

Typical Entry Requirements:

2 GCSEs grade 3 inc. English and maths
OR Level 1 qualification in a relevant subject

Progression:

Level 3 course
Employment
Advanced Apprenticeship

LEVEL 3

Qualification:

T Levels
A Levels
Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma (equivalent to 1 A Level)
Level 3 Diploma (equivalent to 2 A Levels)
Level 3 Extended Diploma (equivalent to 3 A Levels)
Advanced Apprenticeship (equivalent to 3 A Levels)

Typical Entry Requirements:

4 GCSEs grade 3 inc. English and maths
OR full Level 2 qualification in a relevant subject

Progression:

Employment
University / college (Bachelor’s or Foundation degree)
Higher Apprenticeship

Find out more about progressing onto degree courses here at college

More than a course

At WCG we believe education is not just about the vital qualifications and knowledge you need to get ahead, but the essential transferable skills to help you on your next steps, whatever they may be. Because of this, we offer unique learning opportunities in a supportive, friendly environment.

You can see a summary of what you can expect when you join us as a student in the next section.

More than a course

Main Programme

An innovative, subject specific vocational qualification to enhance your career prospects and / or enable you to progress to a further level of study.

Industry Placements

A meaningful industry-specific placement to provide you with ‘real life’ skills and experience that will enhance your employment prospects.

Tutorials

An allocated Personal Learning Advisor to support your pastoral care as well as a wide range of tutorial themes throughout the year.

Digital & Employability Skills

A bespoke programme of online activities to gain wider skills preparing you for future careers, employability and working in a digital world.

English & Maths

Central to work and life; WCG is committed to help you succeed in these subjects, to provide you with better life chances and greater achievement.

Warwickshire College Group (WCG) has maintained its “Good” overall rating following an inspection from the education watchdog at its colleges in Warwickshire and Worcestershire in May 2024.

Ofsted rated the overall effectiveness of all areas of assessment as “Good” at the college, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and education programmes for young people. Inspectors gave praise for how leaders and managers “engage effectively with many employers and stakeholders” at strategic and curriculum levels.

Ofsted success at WCG

Teachers are praised as experts in their field, using their industry knowledge to “successfully secure and deepen learning” and “bring learning to life effectively linking theory to practice".

Ofsted Report - May 2024

The Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education

WCG has been awarded The Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education in recognition of its work in the engineering sector.

The prestigious award recognises WCG for how it has developed future engineers through innovation and partnership over the last quarter of a century.

The Queen’s Anniversary Prize also recognised a number of recent successes for WCG, including a positive first choice destination achievement of 95 per cent for full-time students and breaking national records for end-point assessment pass rates for our land based engineering apprentices in 2020.