DID YOU KNOW
Fife College supports over 26,000 students
Over 700 Modern Apprentices are currently enrolled
at Fife College in every vocation from Customer
Services to Engineering – the largest MA contract
for any college in Scotland
Every year, students qualifying from colleges in Scotland
see their collective income increase by £150m.
(source: Colleges Scotland; The Economic Impact of Scotland’s Colleges)
Over 21,000 school pupils in Scotland are involved in
School-College Partnerships
The College works in partnership with
local schools to offer a vocational,
work based experience to complement
your academic studies at school. This
means that you can study a college
course while you’re still at school.
We believe that it’s vital that young
people are given the opportunity to
build their skills and abilities. Studying
at college enables you to gain skills,
confidence, qualifications and access
to vocational pathways that will help
you transition from school into Further
and Higher Education.
Introducing the
School-College Partnership
What this Guide is all about
When you’re at High School, you have the chance to try
a great variety of different subjects. By the time you’re
getting ready to make your course choices for 4th, 5th
and 6th year, you might already know what type of career
path you would like to follow.
Studying at college while still at school can provide
credible vocational experience to complement your
school studies. It can also help you to develop the skills
that are crucial to gaining employment in your chosen
industry, as well as help you to improve general skills
that can be transferred to whatever job you see yourself
doing in the future.
This Guide will help you with information that you might
need to make the right decisions for you when making
your course choices. It outlines how studying with us
while still at school actually works and the benefits you
will get from it, as well as how it can lead to progression
after you finish school. It also includes a comprehensive
listing of the courses on offer on page 7.
A School-College
Partnership course
could help you prepare
A Note for Parents, Guardians and Carers
When a young person in your family is approaching
their course choice and beginning to think about which
courses to take in their senior years at school, it marks
a very important stage of their life and an important
time for you as a parent, guardian or carer, too. With
such a wide range of different options and opportunities
available today, you want to be assured that, as well as
gaining the right education, your child will have the right
level of help and support around them as they learn.
With the School-College Partnership options available
at Fife College, you need not worry, as these are our
priorities too.
This Guide will provide information that you may need as
a parent, guardian or carer to put your mind at rest and
help you to guide and support your child through every
stage of their decision.
What to expect at College
At college, there is a greater emphasis on you to take
charge of your own learning. This helps you to develop
the essential skills you will need, whether you want to
progress with your studies or find employment.
Coming to college will help you further develop social
and personal skills that will benefit you in many
situations in the future.
Real Benefits of Studying at College
College courses will help you to acquire knowledge and
develop skills that will be useful in the workplace and in
life in general, including:
An understanding of the workplace, including your
own responsibilities (e.g. timekeeping, appearance,
customer care)
How to evaluate your own progress, strengths
and weaknesses
How to analyse and solve problems
How to be adaptable and have a positive attitude
to change
How to Apply for a School-College
Partnership Course
An application is made via your school. The College
will provide the school with application forms and set
deadlines for forms to be completed and returned to the
College. Some courses will require applicants to attend
an interview/taster session.
Your application will also be supported by some
information from your school, requested via a Transition
Form. This includes attendance information, your
preferred learning styles and other relevant information.
Travelling to College
Travelling from school to a College campus may be
your responsibility. Your school will discuss travel
arrangements with you.
Attendance
School-College Partnership courses are either delivered
completely or partly at the College, depending on the
distance between your school and the College and the
area of study involved.
Because employability is an important element of all
School-College Partnership courses, you will be expected
to turn up with the correct materials, on time and be
ready for class. Much more emphasis will be placed on
taking responsibility for your own development, with the
full support of College staff.
Achieving the Qualification
Your achievements will be assessed throughout your course.
The qualification will be awarded upon successful
completion of the units that make up each course.
Assessment will involve a range of different tasks,
including practical assignments, short tests and keeping
personal records.
The course will appear on your Scottish Qualifications
Certificate in the same way as any other National Course
or Higher.
Course Choice
Course choice is an important time for every school pupil.
Your school will have identified School-College
Partnership course(s) to be offered to pupils while
they’re still at school. These should be considered
along with your other subjects based on your future
aspirations. More information on the content of the
School-College Partnership courses will be available
from your school Guidance team.
Please note that all courses are subject to demand and
that demand may impact upon locations of study and
course availability.
Winter Leavers
Winter Leavers are pupils who have completed 4th year
at school but don’t turn 16 until between 1 October and
the end of February and who therefore cannot leave
school until the winter break.
If this applies to you, you are able to apply for College
courses which can offer the chance for you to begin
a vocational programme earlier than waiting for the
statutory school leaving date (i.e. the winter break). By
applying, you are committing to do a full year’s course at
the College and you will join an existing college course
with other successful applicants of all ages.
This would mean complete delivery at college. In line
with Further Education full-time hours, the course chosen
would constitute between 16-18 hours of contact time
per week at college. This means that you do not attend 5
days a week 9am-4pm but will have identified periods of
“study time.”
Although there is no school delivery, you would still be
on the school roll, so weekly liaison between school
and college staff will take place to monitor attendance,
achievement and disciplinary issues.
If you choose this study option, an application should
be made as a joint exercise with your school Guidance
team and should be accompanied by a Transition Form
(also completed by your Guidance team). This is a
Fife-wide form which highlights your strengths, career goals,
personal qualities and any additional support that you
may require at college.
Contact your school Guidance team for more information.
Get a feel for what’s
happening at Fife
College by liking our
Facebook page or
following us on Twitter
Our website is a really
useful source of
information.
Visit www.fife.ac.uk
SCQF
Level
SQA Qualification
Qualifications of Higher
Education Institutions
SVQs/MAs
12
Some SQA qualifications
are changing between
2013-2016.
see www.sqa.org.uk/readyreckoner
Doctoral Degree
Professional
Apprenticeship
11
Masters Degree, Integrated Masters
Degree, Post Graduate Diploma,
Post Graduate Certificate
Professional
Apprenticeship
SVQ 5
10
Honours Degree, Graduate Diploma,
Graduate Certificate
Professional
Apprenticeship
9
Professional
Development
Award
Bachelors / Ordinary Degree,
Graduate Diploma, Graduate
Certificate
Technical
Apprenticeship
SVQ 4
8
Higher National
Diploma
Diploma of Higher Education
Technical
Apprenticeship
SVQ 4
7
Advanced Higher
Scottish
Baccalaureate
Higher National
Certificate
Certificate of Higher Education
Modern
Apprenticeship
SVQ 3
6
Higher
Modern
Apprenticeship
SVQ 3
5
National 5
Intermediate 2
Modern
Apprenticeship
SVQ 2
4
National 4
Intermediate 1
National
Certificate
National
Progression
Award
SVQ 1
3
National 3
Access 3
2
National 2
Access 2
1
National 1
Access 1
The Scottish Credit and
Qualifications Framework
School-College Partnership Courses 2016/17
Study a College Course While Still at School!
Qualifications key
HNC – Higher National Certificate
HND – Higher National Diploma
MA – Modern Apprenticeship
National 4 and National 5 – the same as at school
NC – National Certificate
NPA – National Progression Award
Location
Course Title
Description
Halbeath
Stenton
St Brycedale
Other
Hospitality Foundation Apprenticeship
Designed for learners that are looking for a career in a professional kitchen. Provides a learning model that is truly flexible and unique in order to gain an MA in Professional Cookery while still at school.
Levenmouth Campus NPA Bakery Develops your baking skills whether you want to work
in a bakery or simply like baking. Allows you to gain an NPA in Bakery while at school.
Levenmouth Campus NPA
Administrative Activities
Provides you with theoretical knowledge and hands on experience of key pieces of office equipment. Develops your ability to communicate with internal and external customers and improves your skills in locating and retrieving information.
National 5 Retailing
Develops relevant practical vocational skills, as well as a variety of employability skills. While the vocational skills will be retail specific, employability skills are transferable and will have relevance to the wider world of work.
National 5 Travel & Tourism
Develops the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed for work in the travel and tourism industry.
NPA Food
Manufacturing Gives you a unique insight in to the variety found within the food manufacturing industry. You will gain knowledge and experience of food and drink production and its complex supply chain.
HNC Retail Management (over 2 years)
Provides you with an appropriate mix of knowledge, understanding and skill to enhance your ability and allow you to pursue a career in the retail industry. Gives the depth and breadth of knowledge required to work in the Retail industry.
HNC Events (over 2 years)
Prepares you for employment in the events industry in a supervisory level post. Helps you to gain an understanding of the role and application of the skills required in the events industry and helps to develop your knowledge and skills in the main occupational areas of the events industry.
HNC
Administration
Provides you with an appropriate mix of knowledge, understanding and skill to enhance your ability and allow
All courses are subject to demand and that demand may impact upon locations of study and course availability.
The ‘Other’ column in the table below indicates that, unless otherwise stated, the course will be delivered in school.
Location
Course Title
Description
Halbeath
Stenton
St Brycedale
Other
NPA in Cyber Security
Aims to address the current skills shortage in the field of cyber security to defend against cyber-attacks. It is believed that education is the key to addressing the skills gap. The NPA in Cyber Security awards have stemmed from the need to address the growing rise in easily preventable cybercrime.
NPA in Computer Games Development
Prepares you for progression to further study in Computer Games Development, Digital Media Studies, Computing Science and IT subjects. Provides an introduction to the knowledge and skills that will be necessary if you intend to specialise in aspects of these subjects.
NPA in Digital Media Animation
Provides a recognised National qualification in Computer Modelling and Animation. You will develop skills in producing both two and three dimensional animations using industry leading computer software from Adobe and Autodesk.
NPA
Photography (2 Units)
Designed to introduce you to Photography as
preparation for studying Higher Photography or NC/HND Photography courses at Fife College.
Life Drawing Designed to give S6 school pupils the opportunity to develop skills in Life Drawing and broaden a portfolio of work. Through development of skills, drawing styles and techniques, you will be able to demonstrate your awareness of this important addition to any portfolio. Re Audition Provides audition and voice coaching for entry into
Performing Arts programmes at college or university. Advanced
Higher Drama Provides practical workshops and acting practitioner and director research. Uses the VLE to support a written dissertation.
NPA in Web Design Fundamentals
Introduces you to the fundamental knowledge and skills required in modern website design and development. You will learn the fundamental key technical skills, such as HTML, used for developing websites, including design principles, copyright law and web coding technologies. NC Computer Games: Software Development (over 2 years)
Explores how a computer game is planned, designed and constructed, how mathematics is applied within the process and how to programme a range of computer games using games engines and computer programming languages. HNC 3D Computer Modelling & Animation (Over 2 years)
Designed for those who wish to pursue a career within the computing and creative industries. A launch pad for progression onto the advanced level HND in 3D Computer Modelling and Animation delivered at Fife College or a suitable degree at university.
Cisco – Introduction to Computer Networks
Provide a gateway to entry-level networking jobs and IT careers. You will have access to state of the art online curriculum and labs for the development of practical networking skills.
Jewellery Techniques
Provides workshop demonstrations covering a range of subjects relating to construction methods and the variety of materials possibilities within a jewellery environment.
Location
Course Title
Description
Halbeath
Stenton
St Brycedale
Other
Experimental Painting Techniques
Provides workshop demonstrations covering a range of subjects relating to experimental painting techniques and the range of possibilities available within this field. 3D Creative
Design Techniques
Provides an insight for those interested in studying 3D Design, Furniture, Architecture and Interiors, Graphics and Model Making. Introduces some of the techniques and skills that can be developed within this area of design. Media Technology Taster – Sound & Music Technology
Provides an introduction to Sound Production and Music Technology curriculum with demonstrations, workshops and practical activities. Looks at the typical learning projects college students are involved in.
Media Technology Taster – Radio Production
Provides an introduction to Fife College’s Professional Radio Production Studios/Station. Overview of the curriculum with demonstrations, workshops and practical activities. Looks at the typical learning projects college students are involved in.
Media Production Taster – Photography
Provides an introduction to Fife College’s Professional Photography Studios and an overview of the curriculum with demonstrations, workshops and practical activities. Looks at the typical learning projects college students are involved in.
National 4 Early Education & Childcare
Offers an entry level for you if you have identified the field of Early Education and Childcare as a career path. Aims to introduce you to the care, learning and development of children aged 0–12 and to factors which impact on the lives of children, their parents and carers.
National 5 Early Education & Childcare
Provides an understanding of the care, learning and development of children aged 0–12 years, including the home setting and environments whose practice is guided by legislation, policy and professional ethics, as well as investigating the roles and responsibilities of parenthood.
Higher Childcare & Development
Aims to give you an understanding of child
development, the theories relating to development and the factors that influence from pre-birth to 16. Develops an awareness of initiatives and/or strategies used to inform current childhood practice and the current services available for children and young people.
Bell Baxter High School Men Care 2!
(1 week during Study Leave)
Aims to raise awareness of career opportunities across the care sector by providing a stimulating and supportive exploration of roles and jobs in Health, Social and Childcare. Delivers topics using interactive activities, visiting specialists and if possible, site visits. Introduction to
Location
Course Title
Description
Halbeath
Stenton
St Brycedale
Other
Higher Sociology
Develops your sense of self as part of society. Uses a sociological approach, which encourages you to ask questions about the social world in which we live and to use evidence to support explanations for human social behaviour. Enables you to become familiar with research methods used in sociology.
Bell Baxter High School Advanced Higher English and Preparation for Higher Education
Aims to prepare you for university study via the study of Advanced Higher English. Focuses on the study of literature. You will produce a portfolio of writing and a dissertation. Advanced Higher History and Preparation for Higher Education
Aims to prepare you for university study via the study of Advanced Higher History. Focuses on the USA and the American Civil War, 1850 – 1865. Offers insights into today’s USA and, indeed, today’s world.
Engineering Skills (2 units)
Ensures that you start to develop the generic and practical skills, knowledge, understanding and employability skills needed within the engineering sector. Focuses on Mechanical and Electrical/Electronic Engineering and allows you to gain basic transferable skills which can be applied to many engineering areas.
Rosyth Campus National 5 Energy: Skills for Work – Shell’s ‘Girls into Energy’
Involves interactive experiential and experimental learning supported by industrial visits and research-based team projects. Includes building models using everyday items and basic core principle knowledge informed by research and industrial visits. Engineering
Pathfinder
Provides a work-based career pathway into an exciting and rewarding career in engineering. Combines practical skills with academic studies, offering you a broad understanding of engineering. Allows you to keep your career choices as open as possible while giving you the opportunity to gain the skills that employers look for. Rosyth Campus STEM Roadshows (including Speedy STEM & Technology Events)
Forms part of an established programme of interactive, mainly schools-based, technology taster events that promote STEM through memorable and fun activities based around engineering and scientific principle using everyday items to enhance accessible learning and assimilation. Includes hydrogen fuel cell cars, solar PVA application and wind turbine experiments and design. National 4
Automotive Skills
Provides both an introduction to the automotive industry and a progression route into Further Education or for moving directly into training or employment within the automotive industry. Ensures that you develop practical skills, knowledge and understanding and employability skills needed within the industry.
Rosyth Campus Learning for a
Career in Hair & Beauty
Provides an opportunity to experience hands on skills in hairdressing and beauty therapy and an insight into the industry. Aims to build self-confidence and personal presentation, offering transferable skills suitable for many career paths.
Levenmouth Campus
Location
Course Title
Description
Halbeath
Stenton
St Brycedale
Other
Scottish FA: Refereeing
Allows you to demonstrate evidence of key employability skills such as leadership. Supports opportunities for personal achievement within Curriculum for Excellence. Offers opportunities for achievements both in the classroom and beyond, giving a sense of satisfaction and building motivation, resilience and confidence.
Skills for Work Construction Crafts: Core
Covers brickwork, carpentry and joinery, plumbing, painting and decorating, and employability skills. Skills for Work
Construction Craft – National 4
Designed to provide a basis for progression into Further Education or for moving directly into training in employment within the construction sector. Ensures that you start to develop the skills, knowledge, understanding and employability skills needed within the sector. Pre-MA and Pathway to Higher Education in the Construction Technician Professions
Provides undertaking of the units which will give you the opportunity to gain experience and the entry requirements to undertake an HNC/D at Fife College the following year.
Biology Advanced Higher Practical
Satisfies the requirements of SQA to achieve the practical element of the course.
Chemistry Advanced Higher Practical
Satisfies the requirements of SQA to achieve the practical element of the course.
NPA Laboratory Science
Allows you to develop the underpinning knowledge and employability skills needed to work in a laboratory environment. Enables progression to HNC Applied Science in S6.
New Directions - Lifeskills
Aims to provide a realistic college experience for you. The New Directions students and staff work towards a differentiated curriculum from the programme they will eventually attend full-time.
New Directions - Future Pathways
Aims to provide a realistic college experience for you. The New Directions students and staff work towards a differentiated curriculum from the programme they will eventually attend full-time.
New Directions
NPA Designed as a progression course that, if successfully completed may lead to a nationally recognised qualification or a mainstream college course in your chosen vocational area. Designed for S4/5 who have been identified as struggling to keep up with the school curriculum and would benefit from a continued college experience.
Levenmouth Campus New Directions Designed as a progression course that, if successfully
