Vocational
Vocational courses are career-focused and designed to blend theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical experience.
These courses not only provide an opportunity for individuals to pursue their passions but also allow them to specialise in their chosen subjects, gaining valuable expertise and skills which are finely tuned to meet the specific needs of various industries.
At Gower College Swansea, we take pride in offering a diverse array of vocational courses ranging from entry level to advanced, covering a multitude of subjects. We offer BTEC, NVQ and City & Guilds qualifications.
Understanding vocational course levels
When enrolled in a vocational course, you will be placed on a specific 'level' course based on your academic background and/or work experience.
Upon completion of a level and achieving the qualification you can progress to a higher level.
- Equivalent to three or four GCSEs graded D to G
- Suitable for individuals who did not pass their GCSEs or did not achieve the expected grades.
- Equivalent to four or five GCSEs graded A* to C
- Typically, the starting level for those who obtained four GCSEs at grade D or above, or equivalent qualifications at pass level, with specific grade requirements in math and English for certain courses.
- Equivalent to two or three A Levels
- Generally accessible to individuals who have passed four/five or more GCSEs at grade C or above, or equivalent qualifications at pass level, often with grade prerequisites in math and/or English.
- Equivalent to a Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher Apprenticeship or Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE).
- Equivalent to a Foundation Degree, Higher National Diploma (HND) or Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE).
- Equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree with honours (eg. BA or BSc), a Degree Apprenticeship, Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma.
- Equivalent to a Master’s Degree (eg. MEng, MA or MSc), Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma.
- Equivalent to a Doctorate (eg. PhD or DPhil).
More information on qualificationswales.org.
Vocational course
Barbering Level 2 - Certificate
Level 2 C&G
Computerised Accounts Level 2 - Agored Cymru
Level 2 AGORED
Cosmetic Make-Up Level 2 - Certificate
Level 2 VTCT
Health and Social Care Level 1 - Introductory Diploma
Level 1 BTEC Certificate
Accountancy ACCA AFM - Advanced Financial Management
Level 7 ACCA
Accountancy ACCA ATX - Advanced Taxation
Level 7 ACCA
Accountancy ACCA FR - Financial Reporting
Level 6 ACCA
Advanced Coding Skills
Level 3 C&G
Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Level 3 - Extended Diploma
Level 3 Pearson
Advanced Manufacturing Engineering: Motorsport Level 3 - Diploma
Level 3 BTEC Subsidiary Diploma / Diploma
Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
Level 3 Welsh Bac
Advanced Tourism Level 3 - Diploma
Level 3 BTEC Diploma
Applied Science Level 2 - First Diploma
Level 2 BTEC Diploma
Applied Science: Analytical and Forensic Science or Biomedical Science Level 3 - Extended Diploma
Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma
Aromatherapy Level 3 - Diploma
Level 3 VTCT
Art and Design Level 1 - Diploma
Level 1 BTEC Diploma
Art and Design Level 2 - Technical Diploma
Level 2 OCR
Art and Design Level 3 - Extended Diploma
Level 3 OCR
Art and Design Level 3 - Foundation Diploma
Level 3 WJEC
Beauty Specialist Techniques Level 2 - Diploma
Level 2 VTCT
Beauty Therapy Level 1 - Diploma
Level 1 VTCT
Beauty Therapy Treatments Level 3 - Diploma
Level 3 VTCT
British Sign Language and Deaf Awareness Level 1
Level 1 AGORED
Business and Administration Level 2 - Certificate
Level 2 BTEC Diploma
Business Express Level 3 - Diploma
Level 3 BTEC Diploma
Business Level 3 - Extended Diploma
Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma
Business with the London Institute of Banking and Finance Level 3 - Diploma
Level 3 BTEC Diploma
Ceramics and Mould Making
AGORED
Certificate in Fitness Instructing YMCA
Level 2 YMCA
Children’s Care Play Learning and Development (Core)
Level 2 WJEC
Clinical Healthcare Support Level 2 - Qualification
Level 2 AGORED
Clinical Healthcare Support Level 3 - Qualification
Level 3 AGORED
Computerised Payroll Level 2 - Certificate
Level 2 AGORED
Computing Level 3 - National Extended Diploma
Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma
Creating and Developing Websites
Level 2 C&G
Developing Sewing Skills (PLA)
Level 1 AGORED
Digital Art
AGORED
Digital Editing
AGORED
Digital Skills for Business Level 1 - Award
Level 1 AGORED
Digital Skills for Business Level 2 - Award
Level 2 AGORED
Drawing Level 1 / Level 2
Level 1/2
Enhance Appearance using Micropigmentation Treatment
Level 4 VTCT
Entry into Further Education - Entry 3
Entry Level 3
Esports Level 3 - Extended Diploma
Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma
Eyelash and Eyebrow Treatments Level 2 - Award
Level 2 VTCT
Facial Massage and Skincare Level 2 - Award
Level 2 VTCT
Fashion and Photographic Make-Up - Certificate
Level 3 VTCT
Fashion and Textiles Level 1 - SEG Award
Level 1 SEG
Floristry
AGORED
Food Allergen Management in Catering (Highfield) Level 3 - Award
Level 3 Highfield
Food Safety in Catering (Highfield) Level 2 - Award
Level 2 Highfield
Food Safety in Catering (Highfield) Level 3 - Award
Level 3 Highfield
French Part-time
Level 1
Get Started in Bricklaying
Entry Level
Get started in CAD
Level 1 EAL
Get Started in Carpentry
Entry Level
Get Started in Electronics
Level 2
Get Started in Paint and Decorating
Entry Level
Get Started in Plastering
Entry Level
Get Started in Plumbing
Entry Level
Glass Techniques
AGORED
Gym Instructor (Diploma in Personal Training) YMCA
Level 3 NCFE
Hair and Media Make-up Level 2 - Diploma
Level 2 VTCT
Hairdressing Level 1 - NVQ
Level 1 NVQ
Hairdressing Level 2 - Diploma
Level 2 VRQ
Hairdressing Level 3 - Diploma
Level 3 VRQ
Health and Social Care Foundation Apprenticeship Level 2
Level 2 Diploma
Housing Level 3 - Award (CIH)
Level 3 CIH
Housing Level 3 - Certificate (CIH)
Level 3 CIH
Housing Level 4 - Certificate (CIH)
Level 4 CIH
Housing Practice Level 2 - Certificate (CIH)
Level 2 CIH
Indian Head Massage Level 3 - Certificate
Level 3 GCS
Information and Creative Technology - Level 2
Level 2 Diploma
Information Technology Level 1 - Diploma
Level 1 BTEC Diploma
Inspection and Testing Level 3 - Combined course
Level 3 EAL
Introduction to Crochet Motif Techniques Level 1
Level 1 AGORED
Introduction to Cushion Making Level 1
Level 1 AGORED
Introduction to Hand Knitting Level 1
Level 1 AGORED
Introduction to Hospitality and Catering Entry Level 3
Entry Level 3 AGORED
Introduction to Machine Applique Level 2
Level 2 AGORED
Introduction to Making a Tote Bag Level 2
Level 2 AGORED
Introduction to Patchwork Entry Level 3
Entry Level 3 AGORED
Introduction to Vehicle Systems Maintenance Level 1 - Diploma
Level 1 Diploma
IT User Level 3 – Award
Level 3 C&G
Landscape Construction and Gardening Level 1 - Diploma
Level 1 Diploma
Lash FX Eyelash Extensions
Level 3 FHT
Learning and Development - Certificate
Level 3 C&G
Learning to Code with C#
Level 2 C&G
Logistics Operations Level 2 - Qualification
Level 2 QCF
Logistics Operations Level 3 - Qualification
Level 3 QCF
Managing Food Safety in Catering (Highfield) Level 4 - Award
Level 4 Highfield
Managing Safely (IOSH) - Qualification
Level 2 IOSH
Managing Stress at Work (NEBOSH) Level 3 - Qualification
Level 3 NEBOSH
Manual & Computerised Payroll Level 2
Level 2 AGORED
Micro Dermabrasion Treatments Level 3 - Certificate
Level 3 VTCT
Microsoft Certified Azure AI Fundamentals (AI900) - Qualification
Microsoft Vendor Certification
Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals (AZ900) - Qualification
Microsoft Vendor Certification
Mixed Media Moulding and Casting Entry Level 2
Entry Level 2 AGORED
Multiply – Cooking on a Budget
Level 1
Nail Technology Level 2 - Certificate
Level 2 VTCT
Performing Arts Level 2 - Diploma
Level 2 UAL
Performing Arts Level 3 - Extended Diploma
Level 3 UAL
Perioperative Support Level 3 - Qualification
Level 3 AGORED
Personal License Holders (Highfield) Level 2 - Award
Level 2 Highfield
Photography
AGORED
Photography Level 2 - Technical Diploma
Level 2 OCR
Photography Level 3 - Extended Diploma
Level 3 OCR
Photoshop Creative Cloud - Beginners
Entry Level
Pottery and Ceramics
Level 2
Practical Horticulture Skills Level 2 - Diploma
Level 2 Diploma
Preparation for Public Services Level 2 - Certificate
Level 2 BTEC Certificate
Primary Healthcare Support Level 3 - Qualification
Level 3 AGORED
Principles of Customer Service (WorldHost) Level 2 - Qualification
Level 2 WorldHost
Printmaking
AGORED
Project Management (CMI) Level 3 – Award
Level 3 CMI
Project Management (CMI) Level 5 - Certificate
Level 5 CMI
Radio Frequency (Certificate)
Level 4 VTCT
Reflexology Level 3 - Diploma
Level 3 VTCT
Sewing Skills
AGORED
Silversmithing - Beginner/Intermediate
Level 1/2
Skin Needling Level 4 - Certificate
Level 4 VTCT
Skin Peeling Level 4 - Certificate
Level 4 VTCT
Spanish Part-time
Level 1
Sport and Exercise Science Level 3 - Extended Diploma
Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma
Sport Level 2 - Diploma
Level 2 OCR
Sport Level 3 - Extended Diploma
Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma
Sport: Football Coaching and Performance (Pro:Direct) Level 3 - Diploma
Level 3 BTEC Diploma
Sporting Excellence and Performance (Rugby) Level 3 - Extended Diploma
Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma
Sports Massage Therapy Level 3 - Diploma
Level 3 VTCT
Sports Massage Therapy Level 4 - Certificate
Level 4 VTCT
Spray Tanning (one day course)
N/A FHT
Stone Therapy Massage Level 3 - Certificate
Level 3 VTCT
Swedish Massage Level 3 - Certificate
Level 3 VTCT
Teaching Academy
Level 4 AGORED
Travel and Tourism Level 2 - Diploma
Level 2 Diploma
Uniformed Protective Services Level 3 - Diploma
Level 3 BTEC Diploma
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Level 1/Level 2 - Diploma
Level 1/2 Diploma
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Level 3 - Diploma
Level 3 Diploma
Wax Depilation Level 2 - Award
Level 2 VTCT
Women’s Hairdressing Level 3 - Certificate
Level 3 C&G