Vocational A-levels subject guide

WHAT'S AVAILABLE?

Young people have a choice of up to 14 vocational A-levels – but only if they enrol at a further education college.

Most schools concentrate on four or five subjects that can be taught without using too much expensive equipment.

The most popular vocational A-levels, which are normally available in schools and colleges, are business, ICT, health and social care, leisure and recreation, and travel and tourism.

The subjects available are almost the same as for advanced GNVQs prior to 2000. Just one GNVQ (land and the environment) is not a vocational A-level, while a second (leisure and tourism) was split into two.

To study subjects such as construction, engineering or manufacturing, a student will normally attend a college. Some colleges focus on a particular aspect of a subject, such as an industry that employs a lot of people locally.

The full list of vocational A-levels is:

Art and design

Understand different creative processes, including how visual language is used to communicate. Includes contemporary and professional practices.

Business

Examine different types of business organisation, including finance and business structure. Covers business planning, human resources, markets.

Construction and the built environment

Learn about professional and technical jobs in the construction industry, such as surveying, estimating, site management and civil engineering.

Engineering

Study design, production and operation of everything from cars to mobile phones. Lots of practical work.

Health and social care

Prepare for a career in the health or social care sector by studying human biology, community care, human growth and equal opportunities.

Hospitality and catering

Start training for work in a hotel, restaurant, nightclub or events organisation. Core modules include food and drink and accommodation.

Information and communication technology (ICT)

Prepare for specialist ICT jobs by learning how to create documents and improve presentation. Learn how organisations are structured, and use ICT.

Leisure and recreation

Theory and practical training for the leisure and recreation industries, covering such subject areas as marketing, human resources, sports coaching and cinema.

Manufacturing

Discover more about manufacturing with special focus on local industry. Ranges from traditional engineering and textiles to newer technology- based industries.

Media: communication and production

Prepare for a career in journalism, photography, or film/television production. Should include visits to newspaper offices, TV studios etc.

Performing arts

Study performing arts and the wide range of employment opportunities on offer. Learn about putting on a performance along with wider skills.

Retail and distributive services

Examine work in one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy and learn how financial information is gathered and used.

Science

Study where and when science is used in industry. Learn how components are made and develop the skills needed to carry out investigations.

Travel and tourism

Learn about the travel industry; covering transport, hospitality and tourism here and abroad, with opportunities to visit other countries.

Compiled with assistance from Edexcel