16-19 Courses

In this rapidly changing world, politics has become more important than ever. Politics is all around us and if you are interested in current affairs, ideas, and how the country and the wider world are run, then this is the course for you. A-level Politics offers you the opportunity to become empowered by gaining an in-depth understanding of national and international political issues and structures, whilst also exploring the big questions that political ideas such as conservatism, socialism and feminism seek to answer. Politics at Cirencester College offers the opportunity for you to choose a pathway. All students study British politics and political ideologies in year one, in year two you can select to specialise in either American Politics or Global Politics.

If you decide to study Global Politics, this part of the course broadens the focus to include international relations. Here you will look at the big issues that are currently threatening the world, such as terrorism, globalisation and climate change. You will also find out about how the international community attempts to deal with such issues through global and regional organisations such as the UN, NATO and the EU, and evaluate how effective this is. The changing dynamic with Russia and the Ukraine; the perceived threat of China and her human rights record and concerns with the environment are all key issues that you will be able to discuss.

In this rapidly changing world, politics has become more important than ever. Politics is all around us and if you are interested in current affairs, ideas, and how the country and the wider world are run, then this is the course for you. A-level Politics offers you the opportunity to become empowered by gaining an in-depth understanding of national and international political issues and structures, whilst also exploring the big questions that political ideas such as conservatism, socialism and feminism seek to answer. Politics at Cirencester College offers the opportunity for you to choose a pathway. All students study British politics and political ideologies in year one, in year two you can select to specialise in either American Politics or Global Politics.

American Politics examines the workings of the American political system. Here you will find out why America is often seen as a ‘beacon of democracy’ and examine if this is accurate. Debates surrounding racial politics and democracy, America as a world power, the role of the Supreme Court, and the power of the US President. Controversial issues such as abortion, the right to vote and American foreign policy will all be debated.

Ever wanted to explain other people’s behaviour or even your own? Unsure about how we can know for sure what another person might be thinking? Considering a career in psychology, counselling, social care, mental health or in supporting people in general? This could be the course for you. This course provides you with a starting basis for the applied psychology sector by focusing on up to date theories and including the knowledge, understanding, skills and attributes required to succeed in the sector. Crime and Child Psychology focuses on areas such as; what psychologists mean by intelligence and what biological factors affect intelligence, brain development and the impact of risk taking behaviour. Perceptual and cognitive development in children, and the impact on their education. Development of attachment and the influence of television advertising on children and the stereotyping in such advertising.

Ever wanted to explain other people’s behaviour or even your own? Unsure about how we can know for sure what another person might be thinking? Considering a career in psychology, counselling, social care, mental health or in supporting people in general? This could be the course for you. This course provides you with a starting basis for the applied psychology sector by focusing on up to date theories and including the knowledge, understanding, skills and attributes required to succeed in the sector. Crime and Environmental Psychology focuses on areas such as; environmental stressors and their impact on our biological responses. Biological rhythms and the impact of their disruption on our behaviour. Conservation behaviours and the factors which influence the tendency to conserve or recycle, cognitive overload and the impact of observation in the workplace environment. The impact of built environment and urban renewal on our wellbeing and territory and personal space in the workplace.

Ever wanted to explain other people’s behaviour or even your own? Unsure about how we can know for sure what another person might be thinking? Considering a career in psychology, counselling, social care, mental health or in supporting people in general? This could be the course for you. This course provides you with a starting basis for the applied psychology sector by focusing on up to date theories and including the knowledge, understanding, skills and attributes required to succeed in the sector. Crime and Sport Psychology focuses on areas such as: optimising arousal, controlling anxiety, measuring anxiety in sports, benefits of exercise on mental health, self-efficiency and sports confidence including imagery and sports orientation, personality, its measurement and its relationship to sport and teams, coaching and leadership.

Barack Obama once said: ‘The world has never been healthier, wealthier or less violent’. Despite this, nearly 1 billion people in the world today live in poverty, over 14 million of whom live within the UK. Do you ever wonder why inequality continues to exist in the world? Have you considered how gender, religion, and ethnic backgrounds open or close opportunities in your life? Sociology makes you look at things in new ways and helps you better understand the world in the 21st Century. The Crime pathway explores crime, deviant behaviour, how and why crime rates in the UK vary based on class, gender, ethnicity and age. How can crime be measured and how accurate is crime data?

Barack Obama once said: ‘The world has never been healthier, wealthier or less violent’. Despite this, nearly 1 billion people in the world today live in poverty, over 14 million of whom live within the UK. Do you ever wonder why inequality continues to exist in the world? Have you considered how gender, religion, and ethnic backgrounds open or close opportunities in your life? Sociology makes you look at things in new ways and helps you better understand the world in the 21st Century. The World Sociology pathway explores global inequality, traditional gender roles and cultural practices and how is globalisation changing the level of inequality across Africa and Asia.

“The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.”
In an increasingly globalised world, learning a second language will open many doors. Not only will you become a confident speaker of Spanish but you will also develop an understanding of a different culture and understand the importance of challenging stereotypes and prejudices. The breadth and depth of the A-level, which includes literature, film, politics and culture, will also equip you with communication and critical thinking skills which are in demand by employers.

Are you looking for a science-based learning opportunity that could lead to a job in the sports sector and allow you to progress into higher education? If the answer is yes, then this could be the ideal course for you. Sport and Exercise Science combines theory and practical sessions to cover core elements of anatomy, physiology, psychology and biomechanics. These elements together will make you a much more confident and competent practitioner who is able to take on considerable responsibility in the workplace. Please note that to do well on this programme you must have a genuine interest in science.

The Sport and Physical Activity course has a wide ranging set of modules that allow students to explore how to teach, and the coaching styles needed for a variety of sporting and physical activity settings; from elite level sport, to educating primary school children. We explore public policy alongside the psychology and physiology of engaging and developing this vast range of abilities. You will plan, deliver and execute a range of coaching and activity sessions to further develop your skills. It is suited to those looking at a career in sports development teaching, or facilitating sports and physical activity participation.

Do you have a passion for fashion or an artistic flair and love to create new and exciting designs? From 3D hand-beading and laser-cutting for appliqué to screen-printing, this course will allow you to learn how to create textile samples and transform them into innovative final outcomes in fashion, interiors or textile art. As long as it fits in the textiles room you can make it.

Travel and tourism is one of the most dynamic industries so why not become part of it? If you have dreamed of working abroad then studying travel and tourism will help that dream come true! We can help you gain the skills and qualities needed to work in the industry. Not only do we investigate the opportunities of work overseas, but we look at a variety of topics that will help you in many walks of life.

For the Travel, Tourism and Hospitality option, you will study the same core elements as the travel and tourism qualification as well as studying hospitality in the industry. Also if you like the sound of organising an event, you will get the opportunity to plan and deliver an event of your choice.

Uniformed Services at Cirencester College provides the ultimate preparation for a career in the Armed Forces, Emergency and Rescue services (fire, police, ambulance), UK border force, as well as non-uniformed roles, civil service, voluntary or private security sector.
This course will challenge you, take you out of your comfort zone and put you one step ahead of the rest. More importantly, it will offer you the opportunity to find out more about the benefits of a career in the uniformed and non-uniformed services before you commit yourself.

Upgrade is a study programme designed to give students the confidence and grades at GCSE level to be able to progress to their chosen pathways in Level 2 whether here at Cirencester or at another college, undertake an apprenticeship or get a job with training.