YOUR ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION • Access to Higher Education • Foundation Diploma in Art & Design 1
CONTENTS 2
Introduction
4-5
Access to Higher Education Diplomas: - Art and Design
6-7
- Education Professions
8-9
- Health Science Professions
10 - 11
- Humanities and Social Sciences
12 - 13
- Science
14 - 15
Foundation Diploma - Art and Design (Post Level 3)
16 - 17
Access Spotlight
18 - 21
Entry Requirements
22
Funding
23
Advanced Learner Loan
24
Statements and Disclaimer
25
Courses Coming Soon
26 - 27
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INTRODUCTION 4
Access Courses Our Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma courses aim to prepare you for entry into higher education and provide the underpinning knowledge and skills required to progress onto a degree or higher-level course at a university or college. If you are wishing to return to learning after a break, trying to change your career path, or if you have few formal qualifications but wish to go onto higher education, an access course could be a perfect fit for you. We had over 170 Access to HE Diploma students last year. Our Access Diplomas cover a range of subject areas from Art and Design to Health Science Professions, Humanities and Social Science. These courses are all studied for around 14 hours a week, over 32 weeks and involve a range of activities relevant to the subject being studied. The College’s facilities include workshops, art studios, Mac suites, science labs and other services designed to enable you to achieve the best from your qualification.
to our Learning Resource Centre and the opportunity to get a new Totum Student card (formerly NUS), which will allow discounts from a wide range of outlets. Last year over 88% of our Access to HE students successfully progressed onto higher education, a statistic above the national average. This level of achievement places York College in the top 10% of colleges for Access provision. In addition, we have a track record of working with outstanding adult learners. All applicants meeting the entry requirements and personal statement criteria will be invited to attend an information and guidance session. Please note, you must be aged 19 or above to study an Access Course. We hope you find all the information you require in this booklet. However, if you have any questions, further information is available on our website, or you can contact our InfoZone on the details below. T: 01904 770770 E: info@yorkcollege.ac.uk W: www.yorkcollege.ac.uk
Being a student provides you with access
Widely Recognised The Access to HE Diploma is widely recognised by UK universities, and many actively encourage applications from Access to HE students.
40+ years The first access courses at York College were established in the 1970s. These qualifications are a way of gaining access to Higher Education if you are aged 19 or over.
Write off your loan Student Finance England will ‘write off’ any outstanding Advanced Learner Loan balances you owe for an Access to HE course once you complete an eligible higher education course. This means you do not have to repay it.
Successful Progression Last year 88% of our Access to HE students successfully progressed onto higher education, above the national average. 5
ART & DESIGN 6
Duration and Attendance This course is full-time over an academic year starting in September. It will provide you with a thorough grounding in Art and Design. The course is run over two days each week for one year.
What You’ll Do The course is divided into units of assessment. Each unit is broken down into learning hours and most of the units are worth three to six credits (one credit equals 10 learning hours). The Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma consists of a number of units which are built up to meet the students proposed subject at degree level. To achieve the Diploma, you must achieve 60 credits of which 45 credits are graded and 15 are ungraded. All units are at Level 3 (equivalent to A Level standard) and need to be achieved. This course begins with an introduction to creative art and design units through working with a wide variety of materials and processes. You will go on to complete projects in digital art, painting and drawing, textiles, book art, 3D, printmaking, alongside a broad range of self-directed projects. In the early stages of the course, you will be shown how to experiment with materials and approaches to develop your own response to a series of assignment briefs. You will learn how to research a range of starting points, relate your ideas to the work of artists/ designers and reflect on your practice as an artist. Over time, you will begin to find a direction within the field of art and design and work towards your subject specialism such as graphics, fine art, textiles or 3D crafts.
At all stages, you will be encouraged to adopt an innovative, creative and personal approach to your work in order to build an individual portfolio. You will be asked to work on self-directed briefs, which will prepare you for developing your own practice or further study at degree level. To support this, there will be the opportunity to visit a UCAS fair and you will receive support with your UCAS application.
Exams and Assessments All coursework is project-based and assessed
in relation to a set of assessment criteria.
How You Can Progress This programme provides a well-established route to a wide range of degree level art and design courses including guaranteed progression to successful students to our own higher education courses here at York College Uinversity Centre, subject to tutor approval. Students have gained places on graphic design, fashion, fine art, textiles, illustration, 3D and design degree courses across the country, including; Wimbledon College of Art and Design, Northumbria University, Manchester Metropolitan University and other prestigious Art Schools.
How To Apply To apply, simply fill out an application form online or collect one from the College InfoZone to complete in person or return via email.
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EDUCATION PROFESSIONS 8
Duration and Attendance This course is full-time over an academic year starting in September. Attendance in College is for three days per week plus an additional 10 to 15 hours personal self-guided study.
What You’ll Do The course is divided into units of assessment. Each unit is broken down into learning hours and most of the units are worth three to six credits (one credit equals 10 learning hours). The Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma consists of a number of units which are built up to meet the students proposed subject at degree level. To achieve the Diploma, you must achieve 60 credits of which 45 credits are graded and 15 are ungraded. All units are at Level 3 (equivalent to A Level standard) and need to be achieved. The Diploma is taught as part of a combined course with Humanities and Social Sciences. This course is in four parts and you will: • Have tutorials, seminars and academic skills sessions for three hours per week and this may include work experience • Academic writing and principals of reflection • Study two subjects for 4.5 hours a week for the whole year, English Literature is mandatory and the other possible subjects are Sociology and History. • Study a teaching and learning option for one session a week all year. You may be able to study other subjects if the timetable allows. This will be discussed at interview. The programme delivery method includes lectures and seminars and a good level of
student participation is expected. You will be required to make presentations on a regular basis throughout the course to develop your presentation skills.
Exams and Assessments Assessment may take the form of reports, research projects, assignments, examinations and presentations. Assessment will take place both during and at the end of each unit as appropriate.
How You Can Progress The main purpose of the course is to provide a route into a range of education and teaching degrees, but it is also possible to apply to courses with other subject specialisms with a view to teaching or training in that subject in the longer term. Students completing this pathway will be able to progress to a wide range of degree programmes in education and child studies subjects such as; BA (Hons) Education Studies, BA (Hons) Youth and Community Work, BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies, BA (Hons) Sociology and Foundation Degree and BA (Hons) Children’s Development and Learning here at York College University Centre. There are various teaching, training, mentoring and coaching degrees run by local universities. Many of our former students are training as primary or secondary teachers or social workers, and past students have all obtained offers for courses ranging from primary education to counselling, youth or community work.
How To Apply To apply, simply fill out an application form online or collect one from the College InfoZone to complete in person or return via email. 9
HEALTH SCIENCE PROFESSIONS
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Route to Nursing and Midwifery
Duration and Attendance
Exams and Assessments
This course is full-time over an academic year starting in September. Attendance in College is for three days per week plus an additional 10 to 15 hours’ personal self-guided study.
Assessment may take the form of reports, assignments, controlled tests, logbooks and presentations. Assessment will take place both during and at the end of each unit as appropriate. Graded units are eligible for grades will be awarded as Distinction, Merit or Pass.
What You’ll Do The course is divided into units of assessment. Each unit is broken down into learning hours and most of the units are worth three, six or nine credits (one credit equals 10 learning hours). The Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma consists of a number of units which are built up to meet the students proposed subject at degree level. To achieve the Diploma, you must achieve 60 credits of which 45 credits are graded and 15 are ungraded. A minimum of one examination taken under invigilation conditions must be successfully completed. All units are at Level 3 (equivalent to A Level standard) and need to be achieved. The programme delivery method includes lectures and seminars and a good level of student participation is expected. You will be expected to make presentations on a regular basis throughout the course to develop your presentation skills.
At the end of the course you will be given a transcript listing all of the units and grades awarded: there is no overall grade. Universities will specify the grades they expect you to achieve in various units as part of any offer they may make.
How You Can Progress Students will be eligible to apply to a range of degree courses including biomedical sciences, human physiotherapy, human biology or sports science, or nursing and midwifery.
How To Apply To apply, simply fill out an application form online or collect one from the College InfoZone to complete in person or return via email.
The course is in two parts and you will:
Did you know?
• Have a tutorial session which will be for three hours a week and complete units in academic writing, researching opportunities and presentation skills
From August 2020 there is a new annual payment of £5,000 - £8,000 for all undergraduate nursing students available. So, once you have completed you access course and start your degree you will be eligible to apply for this additional funding.
• Take specific units in Professional Health Care Practice and Human Physiology.
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HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES 12
Duration and Attendance This course is full-time over an academic year starting in September. Timetables and hours of study will be discussed at the interview. Attendance in College is for three days per week plus an additional 10 to 15 hours personal self-guided study.
What You’ll Do The course is divided into units of assessment. Each unit is broken down into learning hours and most of the units are worth three to six credits (one credit equals 10 learning hours). The Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma consists of a number of units which are built up to meet the students proposed subject at degree level. To achieve the Diploma, you must achieve 60 credits of which 45 credits are graded and 15 are ungraded. All units are at Level 3 (equivalent to A Level standard) and need to be achieved. This course is in three parts and you will: • Have a tutorial session which will be for three hours a week and complete units in academic writing, HE toolkit and principals of reflection • Take a specific unit for one session a week - choose; Short Stories or Theories and Concepts
The programme delivery method includes lectures and seminars and a good level of student participation is expected.
Exams and Assessments Assessment may take the form of reports, essays, examinations and presentations. Assessment will take place both during and at the end of each unit as appropriate and will be graded Distinction, Merit or Pass.
How You Can Progress Previous students have progressed to higher education and have studied a range of courses such as BA (Hons) Sociology and Social Policy at University of York, BA (Hons) Psychology at University of Wales, BA (Hons) History at University of Newcastle upon Tyne, BA (Hons) Literature at the University of Leeds, BA (Hons) Philosophy at University of St Andrews, BA (Hons) Media at Thames Valley University London and BA (Hons) Primary Teacher Training at York St John University.
How To Apply To apply, simply fill out an application form online or collect one from the College InfoZone to complete in person or return via email.
• Study two subjects for 4.5 hours a week and the possible subjects are English Literature, History, Sociology, Criminology or Law. Please note that individual modules are subject to change.
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SCIENCE 14
Duration and Attendance
Exams and Assessments
This course is full-time over an academic year starting September. Attendance in College is for three days per week plus an additional 10 to 15 hours personal self-guided study. Timetables and hours of study will be discussed at the interview.
Assessment may take the form of reports, assignments, examinations, logbooks and presentations. Assessment will take place during and at the end of each unit as appropriate. Some units are ungraded and must simply be achieved; all other units will be awarded as Distinction, Merit or Pass. At the end of the course you will be given a transcript listing all of the units and the grade awarded; there is no overall grade. Universities will specify the grades they expect you to achieve in the various units as part of any offer of a place they may make.
What You’ll Do The course is divided into units of assessment. Each unit is broken down into learning hours and most of the units are worth three to six credits (one credit equals 10 learning hours). The Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma consists of a number of units which are built up to meet the students proposed subject at degree level. To achieve the Diploma, you must achieve 60 credits of which 45 credits are graded and 15 are ungraded. All units are at Level 3 (equivalent to A Level standard) and need to be achieved. The course comprises of Level 3 units (equivalent to A Level standard) in science and mathematics as well as a unit in academic writing.
How You Can Progress In the past students have progressed onto higher education and have studied a range of courses in physics, chemistry, dietetics, nutrition, and professional training such as radiography and engineering. We have an excellent record of getting people into top universities such as the University of York, Leeds Beckett University and Sheffield Hallam University.
On application, you will be asked to state your preferred pathway, either Physics and Maths, Chemistry and Maths or Chemistry and Biology. Your chosen option will be discussed at an interview with a member of the Science Team. This interview will help ensure your preference will allow you to progress in your career or onto an appropriate university course. The programme delivery method includes: practical work, seminars, and workshops.
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ART FOUNDATION DIPLOMA (POST LEVEL 3)
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Duration and Attendance
How You Can Progress
This course is full-time over an academic year starting in September.
The combination of hard work and creativity
What You’ll Do The Foundation Diploma is a fantastic qualification which provides the transition from general education to specialist art and design education. It enables students to make an informed decision regarding what area they want to apply to within Art and Design, or if they are seeking employment within the creative industries. This course is delivered in three stages: Exploratory, Pathway and Confirmatory. After the Exploratory stage, you will choose a specialism from areas including: Contemporary Art Practice, Applied Arts and Fashion or Communication Design which you will study in much greater depth leading towards a celebratory exhibition at the end of the year.
Exams and Assessments Your progress will be monitored by your personal tutor and by means of individual and group tutorials. The programme will culminate in a final exhibition of work on view to the general public and is assessed at the end of the programme at Pass, Merit or Distinction which carry additional UCAS points.
of both our staff and students results in the production of art and design projects which see our students receive a high number of offers from their top university choices, as well as excellent success rates. Many of the UK’s top universities come to visit our students each year to promote their degree courses. Your tutors’ degree course knowledge will also be vitally important, so that you can get the very best from your future studies. Year after year, 100% of our students are placed at universities on completion of their course. These have included top UK destinations such as Central Saint Martins, Edinburgh College of Art, Goldsmiths, The Ruskin School of Art, Cambridge and University College London.
How To Apply To apply, simply fill out an application form online or collect one from the College InfoZone to complete in person or return via email.
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ACCESS SPOTLIGHT
Our Access students’ progress onto various degree courses after completing one of our HE Diploma Programmes. Read to hear from some of our students as to why they took on the course and where they hope to advance to next: 18
ALEX FOX ACCESS HUMANITIES
“I left education in 2000 and owned my own business but always wanted to go to university. York College has been fantastic and I have really enjoyed the one-onone contact with the tutors which has made for a more personal experience. I’m hoping to now go on to study English Literature at the University of Bristol and then move on to teach English Literature in secondary schools.”
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PHILL ROSE
ACCESS ART AND DESIGN
“I used the course to learn different ways to implement art and build a portfolio to help me get my ideal career, which happened to be tattooing. The course gave me a better knowledge in digital design, painting and fabric design which interested me a lot. When I started university I chose the digital path, doing graphic and illustration for one year until I pursued tattooing which still involves digital design. In the tattoo industry I mainly get to implement my realistic artwork, but to tattoo you need to make a design suited for the body part, so understanding composition is a massive part for preparing designs. All of my designs are prepared using digital software which I learnt how to use during my time at York College.� 20
REBECCA JOHNSON ACCESS EDUCATION
“I chose this course to give me the opportunity to go to university if I decide to in the future. I chose York College as it is local and has an excellent Ofsted and seemed like a nice, calm environment to study in. Once I’ve finished this course I will hopefully study primary education locally.”
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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Access Courses The Access to Higher Education programme is intended for those applicants who do not have standard entry qualifications for higher education and are over the age of 19 and who wish to progress to higher education. Academic grades do not normally form the basis of the final decision although applicants should meet the minimum entry requirements as stated in the grid. The grid gives examples of how applicants can demonstrate that they have the skills, knowledge and attributes that we believe will enable them to become a successful student on a Access to Higher Education programme.
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Foundation Diploma Art and Design (Post Level 3) A minimum of one A Level and 6 GCSE grades at C/4 or above, or equivalent levels of qualifications such as a Level 3 Extended Diploma. If you do not have the normal entry qualifications, you may gain entry onto the course with appropriate experience or a mixture of work experience and the ability to demonstrate competence in art and design. You will be invited to show a portfolio of recent art and design work at an interview.
Pathway
Subjects/Other Requirements
• Health Science Professions
GCSE grade C/4 or above in English, Maths and Science - you must be aged 19+ as from the August before your course starts.
• Humanities and Social Sciences
GCSE grade C/4 or above in English. If students have a Level 2 English qualification the college will arrange an interview to advise. A formal Level 2 English qualification will be required before starting the course - you must be aged 19+ as from the August before your course starts
• Science
GCSE grade C/4 or above in English and Maths. If students have a Level 2 English and Maths qualifications the college will arrange an interview to advise. A formal Level 2 English and Maths qualification will be required before starting the course - you must be aged 19+ as from the August before your course starts.
• Education Professions
GCSE grade C/4 or above in English Language, Maths and Science - you must be aged 19+ as from the August before your course starts.
• Art and Design
Level 2 Literacy qualification and portfolio of creative work - you must be aged 19+ as from the August before your course starts.
FUNDING
Contact the Funding Team by coming in to the InfoZone, by phone on 01904 770443 or by email: funding@yorkcollege.ac.uk
Access Course Fee
Advanced Learner Loan
Please see our website for the current course fee.
Please see overleaf for details.
Funding For Tuition Fees If you are aged 19 to 23, you may qualify for fee remission for an Access course depending on your circumstances. Eligibility for a free course is based on government guidelines and the most up-to-date information is available on our website or from our Funding Team. If you do not qualify for free tuition, you will be able to pay for your tuition fees in instalments and may be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan. Call 01904 770443 or email funding@yorkcollege.ac.uk.
Funding For Art and Design Diploma This course is free for students under the age of 19 on the first day of the course, students who are aged 19 or over may be eligable for an Advanced Learner Loan.
Funding For Living Costs Access to Higher Education Diplomas are a recognised route into higher education for students aged 19 and over, however, they do not attract the same funding as higher education courses and there are no loans or grants for living costs. Many students are not eligible for benefits while on an Access course and eligibility for benefits is assessed on individual circumstances. Please contact the Funding Team if you would like help to plan a budget for your living costs.
Other Help Funding is available to help with other education-related costs such as travel to College, childcare and travel to university open days and interviews. Funding eligibility is based on household income and application forms will be available from the InfoZone from July.
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ADVANCED LEARNER LOAN If you’ve thought about studying for a new qualification but you’ve never been able to afford it, an Advanced Learner Loan could help you get started. The loan can be used by students aged 19 or above on the first day of their course to pay for Level 3, 4, 5 or 6 qualifications including Access to HE Diploma, and they enable eligible students to borrow the course fee and pay them back at a later date. Your loan is paid directly to the College and you apply each year of study. The Advanced Learner Loan can be particularly effective for people studying an Access course. If your loan is for an Access to HE Diploma, the loan and any interest accrued will be automatically written off when you successfully complete your degree. It should be stressed this only applies if you progress to, and successfully complete, a degree programme which is eligible for student finance.
Who’s Eligible? You need to be studying for a Level 3, 4, 5 or 6 qualification and aged 19 or over on the first day of their course, there is no upper age limit. You need to be a UK national or have settled status (there are no restrictions on how long you can stay in the UK), normally live in the UK, and have lived in the UK, EU or EEA for the last three years. If you don’t meet this criteria, or would like more advice about your eligibility, please contact the Funding Team (funding@yorkcollege. ac.uk) or the International Office (international@ yorkcollege.ac.uk). 24
Eligibility is not based on household income and you will not be credit checked when you apply. You can only apply for one Advanced Learning Loan for an Access course and can have a maximum of four loans.
What Can I Borrow? The minimum loan amount is £300. You can borrow all of the tuition fee or only part, and pay the rest yourself.
Will The Loan Pay For Living Costs? No. The Advanced Learner Loan is for tuition fees only and is paid directly to the education provider. It cannot be used for living costs and you should ensure that you can cover these through work or benefits.
Do I Have To Take a Loan? No, if you were planning to pay for the course yourself, and would prefer to do so, you do not have to borrow the money. If you would like advice on managing your finances, you can get impartial money advice from the Money Advice Service at moneyadviceservice.org.uk or on 0300 500 5000.
How Is The Loan Paid Back? • You only start paying back the loan after your course has finished and when your income rises above the ‘threshold’ amount.
• If you’re employed you don’t need to do anything; your employer will take your repayments off your salary, similar to tax and National Insurance deductions. If you’re self-employed, repayments are made as part of your annual selfassessment tax return. • If you stop working your payments stop until your salary rises above the ‘threshold’ amount again. • Any loan remaining 30 years after you are due to start making repayments will be wiped out.
How Do I Apply? You cannot apply for an Advanced Learner Loan until you have been offered a place on an eligible course, details of how to apply will be sent out with your offer letter. If you need help with the application process contact the InfoZone on 01904 770770.
York College Equality and Diversity Statement York College is committed to equality of opportunity. The aim is to create an environment in which people treat each other with mutual respect, regardless of: age, disability, family responsibility, marital status, race, colour, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, gender, gender identity, transgender, sexual orientation, trade union activity or unrelated criminal convictions.
York College Disability Statement The College is committed to equality for all and widening participation for disabled students and ensuring that all students have access to a high quality learning experience. To help us achieve this please make sure that you let us know what you need so we can make reasonable adjustments to help you succeed. If you have any queries regarding equality and diversity at York College, email: equalityanddiversity@yorkcollege.ac.uk
Disclaimer Every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information provided in this brochure. However, York College cannot accept any responsibility for the consequences of any error or omissions in its content. If, in the opinion of the College authorities, circumstances necessitating a change in the course provision occur, an advertised course may be changed or the content of any course may be modified. All information was correct at the time of printing (May 2020). For the most up to date information please visit the website: www. yorkcollege.ac.uk. E & OE (Errors and Omissions Excepted).
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COURSES COMING SOON
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Access Humanities and Social Sciences* Access to Social Work* At York College, we are always developing our range of courses to suit the needs and demands of our learners. Subject to validation, we are introducing new courses in the humanities and social science sector and social work.
To find out more information on either of these courses, keep checking the York College website for the most up to date information, or email the InfoZone with any questions or queries you may have.
* Sublect to validation
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Our Access to HE courses are the perfect stepping stone you need to progress on to a degree or higher-level qualification, something that you can do here with us at York College. We have a number of qualifications available, in a range of subjects, including the following which are the ideal transition from your Access to Higher Education course:
Degrees and Higher Education at York College University Centre BA (HONS) ACTING FOR STAGE AND SCREEN (ALRA ENDORSED)*
BA (HONS) LEADING CHILDREN’S DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING
BA (HONS) 3D DESIGN AND CREATIVE PRACTICE**
HIGHER NATIONAL CERTIFICATE/DIPLOMA (HNC/D) HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
BA (HONS) FASHION DESIGN AND PRODUCT INNOVATION BA (HONS) GRAPHIC AND COMMUNICATION DESIGN** FOUNDATION DEGREE (FD) MEDIA MAKE-UP, SPECIAL EFFECTS AND HAIR DESIGN BA (HONS) MEDIA MAKE-UP, SPECIAL EFFECTS AND HAIR DESIGN
HIGHER NATIONAL CERTIFICATE/DIPLOMA INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM MANAGEMENT* HIGHER NATIONAL CERTIFICATE (HNC) CONSTRUCTION AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT FOUNDATION DEGREE (FD) DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES WITH CYBER SECURITY*
HIGHER NATIONAL CERTIFICATE/ DIPLOMA (HNC/D) CREATIVE MEDIA PRODUCTION - FILM
HIGHER NATIONAL CERTIFICATE/DIPLOMA (HNC/D) CREATIVE MEDIA PRODUCTION GAME DEVELOPMENT
HIGHER NATIONAL CERTIFICATE/ DIPLOMA (HNC/D) BUSINESS
HIGHER NATIONAL CERTIFICATE/DIPLOMA (HNC/D) MULTI-SKILL GENERAL ENGINEERING
CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION (CERT. ED)/PGCE
*SUBJECT TO VALIDATION
FOUNDATION DEGREE (FD) CHILDREN’S DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING
**SUBJECT TO MODIFICATION APPROVAL
For Further information and Open Event dates please contact the College on: Telephone: 01904 770770 | Email: info@yorkcollege.ac.uk York College, Sim Balk Lane, York, YO23 2BB
www.yorkcollege.ac.uk MKT1203/1119
