How to choose a Sixth Form college

We are really lucky to live in a region with such a wealth of choice when it comes to selecting a Sixth Form college. So how do you go about finding the right Sixth Form college for you?  What should you be looking for in a college and what questions should you be asking when investigating these choices?

Here’s our guide to the points to work through so you can find the right place to study for you.

What type of college is it?

Some colleges are specialised; they focus on one area. For example UTC Portsmouth’s specialisation is STEM education; especially Engineering, science and computing. It means that they can focus on doing this really well and that you’ll meet like minded people when you get there. But if their specialisation does not appeal to you, it might not be the right choice for you.

Most colleges have a more generalised offer; giving you a choice from a wide range of courses and subjects. This can mean that you have a more diverse range of subjects to choose from, though these colleges might struggle to offer the specific expertise, links and experiences you might want for your chosen subject area.

College size

Colleges can range in size from as small as a couple of hundred students, to many thousands. It is important to visit as many colleges as you can to get a grasp on which one “feels” right for you.

Larger colleges may have the capacity for more facilities, but this can come at the cost of individuality.

A smaller college can often cater to your specific needs more readily, but might have fewer facilities on offer.

Courses on offer

Many Sixth Form colleges, or Sixth Forms in a school, offer A levels. These are the most commonly studied qualification post 16 and are a really good option if you don’t know what you might like to do in the future but are interested in taking your GCSE studies to the next level in a few subject areas. A levels are really well respected by universities but can lack the “real-world” experience that a more vocational course could include.

Some colleges offer mainly or only vocational qualifications such as NVQs, BTECs and T-levels. They focus on hands-on and work-related skills with a view to you joining that career when you finish your studies. This can be perfect if you are looking to go straight into employment after college, but can make it harder to get into university. 

Many colleges take a more modern approach and offer a blend of routes so that you can find a course fit that suits your needs exactly. For example, at UTC Portsmouth, you can take pure A levels, a combination of A levels and A level equivalents, or a T-level.

Ethos

The next two years of your life are incredibly important to you. Does the college stand for the same things that you are passionate about? Do the staff? Do some reading on their website or in their prospectus to see if they share your values and ambitions.

Travel

Think about what you have been used to in terms of your current journey to school. How far and for how long are you willing to travel for a college that really suits you? Consider what the cost of that travel will be and how much free time you will have once you’ve finished your studies for things you like to do in your free time.

Next steps after college

It might feel like a long way away, but the purpose of college is to help you onto your next steps, whether they are thinking of going to university or into the world of work.

All colleges will offer support to help you achieve your goals to some extent, but some colleges, such as UTC Portsmouth, have clear support for ambitious students whether they plan to go to a top university or get a higher or degree apprenticeship with a top employer.  UCAS support, help getting apprenticeships and active links with vary a lot between colleges so it’s good to find out more about what they offer their current students.