Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements for September 2012

To be enrolled on a full time 16-18 programme at John Ruskin College a learner will need to meet the following requirements:

To enrol on a level 3 course – a minimum of 4 x GCSEs at grades C or above including English GCSE (or equivalent), or a Merit at BTEC Level 2 Diploma or NVQ 2 is required.

To enrol on a level 2 course – a minimum of 4 x GCSEs at grades D – E (or above) or a Merit at BTEC level 1 Diploma or NVQ 1 is required.

To enrol on a level 1 course – learners must prove through initial and diagnostic assessment that they have skills for life at Entry level 3. They may also be required to complete a skills test relevant to the vocational area.

To enrol on an Entry Level course - learners will need to demonstrate commitment, good attendance and a willingness to learn.

To enrol on ESOL courses – None, but you will be required to have an existing ESOL qualification at Entry 3 to enrol on to one of our vocational courses. You will also be required to have suitable evidence of date of entry to the UK, as well as supporting visa or Home Office documents.

Initial Assessment

John Ruskin College is a Skills for Life college and puts English, Maths and ICT at the heart of its curriculum. As part of the outstanding and individualised support that the College offers, all learners will be expected to sit an initial assessment as part of the interview process. The results of this will be used to determine the appropriate level of course and the correct level of support that each learner needs. Don’t worry! The assessment wil be short and you do not have to prepare for it.

Skills for Life requirements

For applicants new to John Ruskin College in Sept 2012, we expect learners to have achieved an English qualification at the level below the course on which they are enrolling:

  • a learner enrolling on a level 3 course will be required to have English GCSE grade C or equivalent
  • a learner enrolling on a level 2 course will be required to have English GCSE grade D or equivalent
  • a learner enrolling on a level 1 course will be required to show their English ability is at Entry L3
  • (Maths at the same levels [as above] will be required for Science courses)

Skills for Life / GCSE

John Ruskin College is a Skills for Life College. As a key part of your course you will be fully supported to enhance your English, Maths and ICT skills, leading towards a qualification where appropriate.

Learners on a L3 programme will be able to resit GCSE Maths, providing:

  • They have a L2 Skills for Life qualification e.g. Functional Skills, Adult Numeracy, etc or;
  • They have achieved a D in Maths in June 2012

Learners on a L3 programme will be able to resit GCSE English, providing:

  • They have a L2 Skills for Life qualification e.g. Functional Skills, Adult Literacy, etc.

Foreign qualifications

The NARIC database will be used at enrolment to assess the equivalency of foreign qualifications of learners