chichester.ac.uk

Chichester College offers apprenticeships for school leavers aged 16–18 and for adults aged 19+, aimed at people who want to start a career, retrain, or up-skill in their existing role. The college lists three levels — intermediate, advanced, and higher apprenticeships — all combining on-the-job training with study toward a recognised qualification, and all allowing you to earn an income while you learn.

Who apprenticeships are for

The college groups its apprenticeship audience into two broad groups:

• School leavers (16–18) — for those finishing school who want a practical route into a career rather than a full-time classroom programme.
• Adults (19+) — for people starting a new career, changing direction, or building on skills they already use at work.

If you are an employer rather than an apprentice, the college also has a separate apprenticeships-for-employers route.

Levels and what they mean

The college states that intermediate, advanced, and higher apprenticeships are available, but it does not publish a full subject-by-subject list of which apprenticeship standards sit at each level on this page. To check whether a specific trade or industry is covered, use the course search on the site and filter by study mode.

What an apprenticeship involves

Three features are highlighted consistently:

• On-the-job training — the practical, workplace side of the programme.
• An income while you learn — apprentices are paid rather than paying tuition in the way a full-time student would.
• A recognised qualification — the outcome is a formal, employer-recognised credential.

This combination is what separates an apprenticeship from a standard college course: the workplace is the main learning environment, and the qualification is earned alongside real work.

How to find and apply

1. Go to the Chichester College website and use the course search.
2. Set Study mode to Work Based Learning — this is the filter the college uses for apprenticeship-type provision.
3. Browse the results, or go directly to the apprenticeships section, which links to current apprenticeship vacancies as well as general information.
4. If you are an employer wanting to take on an apprentice, use the dedicated employers page instead.

Vacancies are listed separately from the general apprenticeship information, so if you are ready to apply rather than just research, check the vacancies page first — an apprenticeship needs a matching employer role, not just a college place.

Practical things to check before committing

• Level fit: intermediate, advanced, and higher assume different starting points. If you already have relevant experience or qualifications, ask which level you would enter at.
• Age and eligibility: the college frames provision around 16–18 school leavers and 19+ adults, so confirm your own eligibility for the specific vacancy.
• Employer availability: because training happens on the job, the role has to exist. A course being offered does not guarantee an open vacancy at any given time.
• Progression: the three-level structure suggests a route from intermediate through to higher, but confirm the specific progression path for your chosen occupation.

For anything not covered on the website — exact entry requirements, pay, or start dates for a particular apprenticeship — contact the college directly or speak to them at an open day, where you can ask about the apprenticeship route in person.

Chichester College offers university-level courses for students preparing to start university in September 2026 or those still exploring their options. You can apply either directly through the college or via UCAS. The college's website states that you can "find everything you need here" for university-level study, and it provides two application routes: Apply direct and Apply via UCAS.

Who university-level courses are for

According to the college, these courses suit two broad groups:

• Students getting ready to begin university in September 2026
• People who are still exploring their options and want to understand what's available

University-level study is one of several pathways at Chichester College, alongside school leaver courses, apprenticeships, and adult education.

The two application routes

The college presents both options side by side, so the right choice depends on whether you're applying only to Chichester College or comparing several institutions.

What to check before applying

The college's university-level pages are the starting point for application details. Before you apply, confirm:

• The specific university-level course you want and its entry requirements
• Whether that course uses direct application or UCAS
• Key dates, especially if you're targeting a September 2026 start

Related ways to explore the college first

If you're not ready to apply, the college runs open days where you can explore the campus and find out about studying there. It also publishes an adult course guide 2026/27 for adults looking to gain skills, progress a career, or try something new, and a 2027/28 prospectus for full-time students aged 16–19.

Common questions

Can I apply without going through UCAS? Yes. The college lists "Apply direct" as an option alongside "Apply via UCAS."

Does this apply to postgraduate study? The page evidence describes university-level courses in the context of starting university in September 2026 and exploring options, which points to undergraduate-level entry. Check the individual course page for level and requirements.

Where do I find the actual application form? Use the "Apply direct" or "Apply via UCAS" links on the college's university-level courses section.

Chichester College runs open days so you can explore the campus and find out what studying there is actually like. The college's own site describes them simply as a chance to "explore our campus to find out about studying at Chichester College," with more detail available through the open days section of the website. If you're considering a course — whether you're a school leaver, an adult learner, or looking at university-level study — an open day is the most direct way to see the facilities and talk to staff before you commit.

What an open day is for

The college frames open days around campus exploration and course discovery rather than as a formal application step. In practice, that means you can use the visit to:

• See the campus itself, which sits in the heart of Chichester with views of the cathedral
• Get a feel for the facilities and support services
• Ask about the specific course route you're interested in
• Compare study modes if you're unsure which fits — the college lists Distance Learning, Full Time, Part Time, Short Course, and Work Based Learning

Before you go: decide which route you're exploring

Chichester College serves several distinct groups, and the open day information you need depends on which one you are. The site organises its offer into four main areas:

Knowing which of these applies to you means you can target your questions on the day instead of gathering generic information.

How to find open day details

1. Go to the Chichester College website (chichester.ac.uk).
2. Look for the Open days section — the site's own heading for this is "Open days," with a "Find out more" link leading to the arrangements.
3. Check the date and time options listed there, and note anything you need to book in advance.
4. If you already know your subject area, use the course search on the site first (filter by study mode) so you arrive with specific courses in mind.

The site also publishes a New adult course guide 2026/27 for adult learners and a 2027/28 prospectus for full-time students aged 16–19. Downloading the relevant guide before your visit helps you match what you see on campus to actual course listings.

Planning your visit

• Check the current open day schedule on the website first. Dates and formats can change, and the site is the authoritative source.
• Bring your questions about your specific route. For apprenticeships, for example, the college highlights on-the-job training, earning while you learn, and a recognised qualification — worth confirming how these work for your chosen sector.
• If you're applying for university-level study, note that the college supports both direct application and application via UCAS, so you can ask which path suits your situation.
• Use the visit to test the location. The campus is central, which matters if you'll be commuting.

Common sticking points

• Assuming one open day covers everything. With four distinct audiences, check that the event you're attending is relevant to your route.
• Arriving without a course shortlist. The course search and study-mode filters on the site let you narrow down before you go, which makes conversations on the day far more useful.
• Missing the guides. The adult course guide and the 16–19 prospectus are separate documents for separate audiences — download the one that matches you.

If you can't attend an open day, the same website sections (course search, prospectus downloads, and the university-level pages) let you research remotely, though you'll lose the chance to see the campus and facilities in person.

Chichester College offers adult learners a mix of professional qualifications, leisure courses, and commercial short courses, described on its site as designed to help you "gain skills, progress your career or discover a new passion." The main reference point for this is its New adult course guide 2026/27, which you can browse to see the actual course list. If you are an adult looking to change career, retrain, or take up something new, that guide is the starting point — the college frames adult education as a way to "kick start your career change" or "invest in yourself."

What kinds of adult courses are available

Based on the college's own description, adult provision falls into three broad groups:

• Professional qualifications — aimed at career changers and people building job-specific skills.
• Leisure courses — for pursuing an interest or a new passion rather than a formal career goal.
• Commercial short courses — shorter, work-oriented training, listed alongside the professional and leisure options.

The college also lists apprenticeships as open to adults 19+ who want to start a career, retrain, or up-skill in their existing role. These come at intermediate, advanced, and higher levels, and combine a recognised qualification with on-the-job training and an income while you learn.

How to find the right course

The site provides a course search that lets you filter by study mode. The modes listed are:

If you already know your goal — a qualification, a career move, or a hobby — use the adult course guide first to see what exists, then filter by study mode to match your available time.

Who adult courses are for

The college separates its audience into school leavers, apprenticeships, adult education, and university-level courses. Adult education sits alongside these as its own pathway, so you are not competing with or following the same route as 16–19 year olds. The site explicitly addresses adults who want to change career, retrain, or up-skill.

What to check before applying

• Which year you are applying for — the adult guide covers 2026/27, while the prospectus download is for 2027/28 full-time students aged 16–19, so make sure you are looking at the right document for your situation.
• Entry requirements and cost — the source material does not state fees or entry criteria for adult courses, so confirm these directly with the college before committing.
• Study mode fit — if you work full time, part-time, short course, or distance learning options are likely more relevant than full-time study.

Next step

Browse the New adult course guide 2026/27 on the Chichester College site to see the current course list, then use the course search filters to narrow by study mode. If you want to see the campus first, the college runs open days — check the Open days section for dates.

Chichester College is a further and higher education college in the centre of Chichester, England, offering courses across several age groups and study levels. It is relevant to you if you are a school leaver aged 16–19, an adult looking to retrain or upskill, someone considering an apprenticeship, or a learner preparing for university-level study. The college's own site describes a city-centre campus with views of the cathedral, modern facilities and student support.

Who the college serves

The college organises its provision around four main audiences, each with its own route into study:

• School leavers (16–19) — A Levels, T Levels, Apprenticeships and SEND foundation programmes, positioned as preparation for a career or further study.
• Apprenticeships — Open to school leavers aged 16–18 and adults 19+, covering intermediate, advanced and higher levels. Training combines a qualification with paid on-the-job experience.
• Adult education — Professional qualifications, leisure courses and commercial short courses, aimed at career changers or those building new skills.
• University-level courses — For those starting university in September 2026 or still exploring options, with applications accepted directly or through UCAS.

Course types and study modes

The site's course search lets you filter by study mode, which indicates the flexibility available:

This range matters if you need to fit study around a job, caring responsibilities or an existing role — the mode you choose determines how much time you spend on campus.

Key dates and documents to check

The college publishes guides tied to specific academic years, so confirm you are looking at the right one:

• New adult course guide 2026/27 — for adults planning study in that year.
• 2027/28 prospectus — for full-time students aged 16–19 considering a September 2027 start.
• University-level courses — information for a September 2026 university start or earlier exploration.

If your intended start year is not covered by these documents, check the site again closer to your application window rather than relying on an older guide.

How to decide if it fits

Use these conditions to judge whether Chichester College matches your situation:

• You want a campus-based experience in a small city — the college highlights its central location and cathedral views as part of campus life.
• You are weighing apprenticeships against classroom study — the college offers both, so you can compare earning while learning against a full-time programme.
• You are an adult returning to education — the adult guide and short courses are the relevant entry points, not the 16–19 prospectus.
• You need a specific qualification level — apprenticeship levels (intermediate, advanced, higher) and university-level courses are listed separately, so check the level before applying.

The most reliable next step is to attend an open day, which the college runs so prospective students can explore the campus and ask about courses directly. If you cannot attend, use the course search filters and download the guide for your age group and start year.