Education Options

Further education in the borough includes a variety of options for those aged 16 and above including A-Levels, T-Levels, apprenticeships and colleges.

Basingstoke and Deane has two further education colleges: Queen Mary’s College (QMC) and Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT).

You can visit both colleges’ websites to find out about their application process.

Queen Mary’s College

Queen Mary’s College (QMC) is an inclusive, vibrant and high achieving sixth form college providing further education for over 16s who want to complete AS and A-Levels as well as GCSE and foundation level courses. The publication of the National School and College Performance tables identifies Queen Mary’s College as one of the best in the region, with 98% pass rate at A Level: 68% A*-C grades. 

QMC is located on Cliddesden Road, RG21 3HF and is accessible by car, bus, a short walk from the train station and on foot.

Subjects on offer include:

• Art and design
• Business and legal studies
• English and maths
• Computer Science and IT
• Social Sciences
• Modern Languages
• History, Philosophy and Politics
• Media, film and esports - with its own dedicated esports arena
• Performing arts in the Central Studio – an alternative multipurpose performance venue
• Health, Social Care and Childcare
• Science
• Sport and PE in the Sports Centre – one of the best centres for sports and coaching in any sixth form college in the UK

Basingstoke College of Technology

BCoT (pictured) is a further education college, providing a range of full time and part time technical and vocational qualifications for school leavers, as well as apprenticeships and adult learning. It is in the top 30% of further education colleges nationally for timely achievement of apprenticeships for all ages and levels and 97% average of students progress to university, employment or further studies

BCoT is located on Worting Road, RG21 8TN and is accessible by car, bus, a short walk from the train station and on foot.

Subjects on offer include:

• Animal management at the Animal Discovery Centre
• Art and design in the studios
• Automotive at the BCoT workshops
• Beauty therapy and media make-up
• Business and Professional
• Computing and IT
• Construction in the construction workshop areas
• Early years and childcare at The Nursery at BCoT
• Engineering
• English and maths
• Foundation Learning
• Hair and barbering at Evolve Salon – salon rooms open to the public
• Health and social care
• Hospitality and catering at The Restaurant at BCoT – open to the public
• Media and games design
• Public services
• Sport – with access to fully-equipped onsite gym and access to off-site sports complex
• Travel and tourism

Independent schools with sixth form

There are also two independent schools that have sixth form college option, with its own admission process: 

• Sherfield School – three months to 18 years.
• St. Michael's School – five to 18 years.

Colleges near Basingstoke and Deane

There are several colleges located outside the borough which are accessible by public transport including:

• Sparsholt College
• Alton College
• Farnborough College of Technology
• Newbury College
• Fareham College
• Reading College
• Farnham College

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships provide amazing opportunities for those over the age of 16 (living in England and not in full-time education) keen to learn new skills and gain qualifications in the workplace, whilst earning a salary. Apprenticeship providers, BCoT and Basingstoke ITEC offer a range from intermediate to advanced and The University of Winchester provides higher and degree level apprenticeships.

Levels of apprenticeships:

• Intermediate (Level 2) equivalent to GCSEs
• Advanced (Level 3) equivalent to A Level
• Higher (Level 4, 5, 6, 7) equivalent to foundation degree or above
• Degree (Level 6 and 7) equivalent to Bachelors or Masters degree.

For more information on apprenticeships, visit the GOV UK website.

T-Levels

T-Levels are new two-year courses, which will follow GCSEs and are equivalent to three A-Levels. There will be a mixture of classroom learning and ‘on-the-job’ experience during an industry placement of at least 315 hours. Visit the GOV.UK website to find out more information and the subjects areas that T Levels cover.

Page updated December 2023