Can I just take GCSE English & maths at college without doing a full time course?

[1bluesky1]

Hi, not sure if this is the right place to post, but just asking here as I can't find the answer for it online...

Basically as a bit of a background, I am 18 years old and currently on my first year of a full time course at college, whilst also doing foundation/entry English and Maths (Compulsory as i'm under 19 and didn't take my GCSE's when I was 16).

What I want to know is, if I go back to college for a second year after the summer holidays this year, can I decide to just take my GCSE in English and Maths (Which I think I can do after doing foundation/entry in this current term) at the college, but not do an actual specific full time course at the college, or will I have to do a full time course whilst doing my GCSE's? As I really want to at least have a C or above in English and Maths, but will be starting work by the time of the start of the new 2017-2018 term so doing a full time course won't be practical, although I will be able to have the time during the week to attend the GCSE English and Maths at college for a few hours. I will be 19 by this time if that makes a difference. As i'm a bit confused about it, as I have heard that it is possible to get up to a C in foundation/entry English & Maths anyway without doing GCSE, but then others have said that you have to take GCSE after doing your first year of foundation/entry.

I hope what I have said makes sense, as I am not too clued up on all the differences between GCSE, Foundation/Entry, and how it all works.

Thanks.

Entry level qualifications are below GCSE standard.
Level 1 is roughly equivalent to a "Foundation" GCSE BUT the highest you can get is equivalent to a grade D (not a C).
Level 2 is equivalent to grades A*-C.
So either you need to take level 2 next year or consider taking GCSEs.
tps:www.learndirect.com/help/about-learndirect/learning-with-learndirect/qualification-equivalency
BUT the other complication is that GCSE Maths and English have changed. It's now 9-1 grades rather than A-C. As far as I know the final opportunity to take the old A-C GCSE is this Summer 2017 and after that all candidates (including those over 16 need to take the 9-1 GCSE).
It's possible that at some point the level 2 will be changed to make it compatible with the new 9-1 GCSEs.
IF you haven't taken any GCSEs there are schemes available to help adults who haven't got these qualifications but you need to ask at the college.
Hope that helps.

Yes you can take them as standalone but to get gcse equivalent it must be at level 2. What course are you currently taking?

I am currently studying health and social and I don’t enjoy it at all but I need too still be in college some how and the only reason I don’t enjoy health social is because you have too do placement but can my tutor actually force me to go on placement or is it possible for me too just do the theory work instead of the placement work so it means I won’t sit one of the exams which is an NEA exam and I won’t pass the course but I can still go to lessons and learn even if I will fail the course but my my tutor said it would be pointless me being on the course which at the end of the day it’s my life not her’s. I am not even interested in the course and I am going to be going to do a different course in September and I don’t know what other alternative things I can still do to be in college, I am not sure if it’s possible for me too do a part time course or just do my maths and English?

If you have no gcse pass in English and/or Maths you should be able to study them or equivalent without taking another course. The college won't receive funding if you fail to complete the Health and Social Care course.

Not quite.

If you are in y12, y13, or y14 (ie under 19 on the 1st Sept) then colleges won't take you to just do English/Maths as they won't get funding without you being on a full time course.

Furthermore Adult Education won't take you either as they only get funding for Adults and up to y14 doesn't count.

I am confident in this as we explored it in the summer for DD, and we are now paying for private tutoring for her...

@Skyler4Rose Why don't you want to do the placement? Is it MH related, or just because you don't want to? It seems a shame to not properly complete the year and get a qualification.

I was assuming @Skyler4Rose was an adult over 19. Could be wrong though given op was 18