South Devon College Study Options: School Leavers, Adults, and Apprenticeships Compared

South Devon College runs distinct study routes for three main groups: school leavers aged 16–18, adults aged 19+, and people in employment who want to train through an apprenticeship. The right choice depends less on the subject you like and more on your age, your current qualifications, and whether you want to study full-time, part-time, online, or while working. The sections below set out what each route covers so you can match yourself to one.

School leavers (16–18)

This route is built around full-time study after GCSEs, and the college lists several options under it:

• Sixth Form – for A-level style academic study.
• Technical and Vocational Courses – practical, subject-specific programmes.
• T Levels – technical qualifications that combine classroom learning with industry placement.
• Apprenticeships – for those who want to work and train at the same time.
• Torquay United Football Academy – a football-focused option within the school leaver offer.
• Supported Internships – for students who need extra support to move into work.

The college also publishes an Application to Enrolment Journey for this group, which is the sequence to follow if you are applying straight from school. If you are unsure which level suits your grades, the Grades Explained and Levels and Qualifications Explained pages are the reference points.

How to choose within this group

Adult learning (19+)

Adult courses are organised around different goals from the school leaver route. The college groups them as:

• English and Maths and Essential Skills – for building core qualifications.
• Free Courses for Adults – listed as a separate category, so check eligibility on the individual course rather than assuming all adult study is free.
• Online and Distance Learning – for studying without regular campus attendance.
• Retraining and Upskilling – for changing field or updating skills.
• Adult Personal Development – broader non-vocational learning.
• Education and Teacher Training – for those moving into teaching.
• Access to Higher Education – a common bridge into university-level study.

There is also a Support for Adult Students (19+) page covering practical help, and a What Level Should I be Studying? guide if you are returning to education after a break.

How to choose within this group

• Need English or maths qualifications → English and Maths / Essential Skills.
• Want to study around work or caring responsibilities → Online and Distance Learning.
• Changing career → Retraining and Upskilling, possibly with an Access course first.
• Unsure of your starting level → use the "What Level Should I be Studying?" guide before applying.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships sit across both age groups but are structured around employment. The college's apprenticeship pages cover:

• Apprenticeship Levy Information – relevant if you are an employer.
• Apprenticeship Standards and Trailblazer Groups – how current apprenticeship programmes are designed.
• Employ an Apprentice, Employer Apprenticeship Incentives, and Employer Resources – the employer side.
• Foundation Apprenticeships – a starting point before a full apprenticeship.
• Higher and Degree Apprenticeships – delivered through the University Centre.

If you are a learner rather than an employer, the practical starting point is the apprenticeship vacancy search plus the How to Apply guidance. If you are an employer, the funding and incentive pages are the ones that determine what you can offer.

Higher education and degree-level study

Higher and degree apprenticeships, along with other higher-level courses, are delivered through the University Centre. This is the route to consider if you have finished a level 3 qualification (such as A-levels, a T Level, or an advanced apprenticeship) and want to continue at degree level without necessarily leaving the area or stopping work.

What applies to every route

• How to Apply is a single page covering the application process across the college.
• Financial Support and Learning Support and SEND apply regardless of which route you pick.
• Travel Support and Parking and Permits matter if you are commuting to one of the campuses.
• Term Dates and Upcoming Events are worth checking before you commit, especially for open events where you can compare routes in person.

A practical way to decide

1. Identify your age band and current highest qualification.
2. Match that to the route above — school leaver, adult, apprenticeship, or higher education.
3. Check the level guidance (Grades Explained, Levels and Qualifications Explained, or What Level Should I be Studying?) so you apply to the right level rather than the right subject at the wrong level.
4. Confirm the practical side — funding, travel, and support — before submitting an application through the How to Apply process.

If two routes still look possible, the deciding factor is usually whether you want to be employed while you study. If yes, look at apprenticeships; if no, compare the school leaver or adult route by attendance pattern and level.