BTEC Level 1 in Directed Pathways (Vocational Studies)

We will invite you to a Meet the Tutor event where you will receive information, advice, and guidance about the course you have applied for. This will be an opportunity for you to gain valuable information about the course and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

You will provide a copy of your last school report and / or a reference from an employer or relevant professional other. This is to ensure we can support you to be able to achieve well on the course.

Generally, we require 3 GCSEs at any grade including Maths and English or an Entry-Level 3 qualification. But if you do not have any formal qualifications, let us know and we can assess you to ensure you will be able to achieve well on the course.

Admission is based on the following criteria:

-successful interview

-successful assessment

-must meet general entry requirements as defined in the STCG Admissions policy

-suitable reference and /or confirmation from local authority re: education status

We are firmly committed to finding the right course for you to ensure you can succeed! Talk to us today if you have any concerns about the application process, we are here to help take you to the next level.

This course is designed to provide students with the essential skills and experience needed to progress onto Level 2 qualifications, apprenticeships, or employment. With pathways in Travel & Tourism, Hair Beauty and Barbering, Early Years, Health and Social Care and Sport. Students will gain insight into different industries while developing key employability skills. The programme includes four core units—Being Organised, Developing a Personal Progression Plan, Working with Others, and Researching a Topic—alongside six optional units from three vocational routes. Learning is practical and engaging, embedding industry-relevant tasks such as event planning, business visits, and IT skills to prepare students for future study or work. Students will also receive dedicated support in English and Maths, with the opportunity to resit GCSEs alongside their vocational studies. Work experience, enrichment activities, and personalised progression planning ensure learners leave with the confidence, knowledge, and qualifications needed for the next stage of their education or career.

Applications for this course are made online through the Kingston College website. For application queries or any further information, please phone our Admissions Team on 020 8268 3073 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Through a blend of core and optional units, students will develop essential skills such as teamwork, organisation, communication, and problem-solving. Teaching is designed to be practical and engaging, embedding optional units within core learning to maximise understanding and application. For example, students will develop IT and organisational skills by using digital tools like Outlook Calendar to manage schedules and plan events. Enrichment time is also incorporated into the course, offering hands-on experiences such as working with the Student Community Officer to plan and run college events, enhancing learning through real-world application.

The course consists of four core units.

A1 Being Organised

A2 Developing a Personal Progression Plan

A3 Working with Others

A4 Researching a Topic

Alongside these, students will study six optional units from vocational progression routes, allowing them to develop skills in their chosen areas of interest. Throughout the course, students will engage in practical learning, including business visits, guest speaker sessions, and enrichment activities that link directly to their coursework. Students will also receive one-to-one support and group tutor meetings to help guide their progression and ensure they are fully supported. For those without GCSE English or Maths, the programme provides dedicated lessons and resit opportunities, ensuring they develop these essential skills alongside their vocational studies. Students will also have the chance to complete a work placement, either within the college or with local employers, gaining valuable real-world experience that will help them progress onto Level 2 qualifications, apprenticeships, or employment.

This course is 100% coursework-based, with assessments designed to develop key practical and vocational skills. Students will be assessed through a variety of methods, including presentations, role plays, time-limited exercises, and practical assessments relevant to their chosen pathway. For the Hair, Beauty and Barbering pathway and Sport, students will have more hands-on practical assessments to ensure they gain industry specific skills.