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Vocational Studies Diploma

Preparation for Work and Life

Vocational Studies Diploma

Course type: BTEC Level 1 Introductory Diploma
Awarding/exam body: Pearson Edexcel

Do you want to get ready for the world of work?

Do you enjoy a practical course with the opportunity of a work placement?

You’ll find the Introductory Diploma in Vocational Studies (sometimes referred to as Foundation Learning) flexible and personalised to meet your needs as an individual student.

The course is designed to encourage you to develop the personal skills and qualities you need for work and learning and to help you achieve your full potential. It is a practical “hands on” course, which includes a one-week work placement, taught in the context of real jobs and careers in various industries.

You will receive credits and/or individual certificates for the qualifications that you achieve within the framework.

Core Units

Unit 7: Interview Skills
Unit 10: Planning a Trip to a Visitor Attraction
Unit 10: Self-Assessment
Unit 11: Career Progressions
Unit 11: Taking Part in Exercise and Fitness
Unit 13: Planning Own Fitness Programme
Unit 14: Working in Business and Administration
Unit 15: Communicating electronically
Unit 16: Making And Receiving Calls
Unit 16: Planning and Participating in an Event
Unit 17: Welcoming Visitors
Unit 24: Job Opportunities in Business Admin
Unit 26: Word processing software

Plus: BTEC Level 1 award in personal/social skills

Unit 08: Healthy Living
Unit 09: Dealing with Problems in Daily Life
Unit 10: Managing own Money

Plus: Functional skills

Functional Skills in Maths, ICT and English

Ongoing coursework.

An Introductory Diploma is equivalent to 4 GCSEs at grades D-G. When you’ve successfully completed the course, you may apply to proceed onto Level 2 courses.

Alternatively, you may go on to the world of work or training, such as an apprenticeship.

Interest in the subject areas, a willingness to work hard, complete assignments within a set timescale, and to demonstrate exceptional attendance and punctuality.

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Courses

Students can take any combination of 30 A level and Level 3 Applied Diploma subjects. Vocational programmes include 11 Level 3 Extended Diplomas, including BTEC, CTEC and University of the Arts courses, and 4 T Levels. We also offer BTEC Level 2 and Foundation options, along with GCSE Maths and English language retakes.

Students

At Saint Francis Xavier, we develop the whole person. Our commitment goes beyond academic achievement; we equip students with the confidence, values, and skills needed to thrive in higher education, employment, and adult life. With an extensive range of courses, our students receive expert teaching in our modern, state-of-the-art facilities.

Female Student

Parents & Carers

Personal Tutors will work with both you and your student to overcome any obstacles and achieve their potential. We build a positive ethos around learning and behaviour, support students with discussion and advice, invite you to progress review evenings, provide each student with an Individual Learning Plan (ILP), and send you full reports.

Male Student

Upcoming Events

Open Evening

Wednesday, 4th March · 4pm – 6pm

Explore your options and secure your offer from Saint Francis Xavier Sixth Form College for September 2026.

Book your place to visit London’s top performing and friendliest sixth form college with a 97% pass rate in A levels, BTECs, UAL Diplomas and T Levels.

Hire Our Spaces

Hold your next event with us in one of our many available spaces. Choose from: a multi-use games area, sports hall, dining hall and garden, multi-purpose hall, dance/drama studio, fitness suite, meeting/conference rooms, computer suite, chapel and music studio. Kitchen and catering facilities and free parking are also available.

Nursery

‘Happy staff make happy children’

Nightingale’s Nursery is set in the beautiful, secure grounds of Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Sixth Form College where children can play outside and help tend the vegetable patch. The nursery follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework and provides a holistic learning environment, paying special attention to the transition from home to nursery, reassuring parents of their child’s wellbeing and progress on a daily basis.

Nightingale’s friendly team builds positive relationships with all the children and parents.

Student with child

What Our
Students Say

The support I received from passionate teachers who pushed me to aim higher, to the tailored guidance with university applications made all the difference. SFX believed in my potential even when I doubted myself, and that encouragement gave me the confidence to pursue my ambitions. Without that foundation, I don’t think I’d be on the path to a legal career today.

Joshua, former Sociology student

Latest News & Blog

Record‑Breaking University Applications at SFX

We’re thrilled to announce that almost 90% of our Year 13 students submitted their university applications ahead of last week’s UCAS deadline – the highest completion rate in our history. Even more impressively: 📈 78% of applications were to Top Third universities 📈 55% were to Russell Group institutions – a 6% increase on 2025 […]

Students Celebrated at the Essential 8 Awards

During the final week of term, students’ achievements were recognised at Saint Francis Xavier Sixth Form College’s Essential 8 Awards, a celebration of the skills and qualities that underpin success both during college life and beyond. Students were nominated by their teachers and Heads of House for demonstrating aptitude in one or more of the […]

Saint Francis Xavier Sixth Form College announces excellent 2025 Level 3 examination results

We congratulate all our students who received their excellent public examination results today. We are delighted to see results improving on last year’s impressive pass rates across A level, BTEC, CTEC and UAL courses. Our second year T Level results have also been excellent. The overall pass rate at Level 3 was 97%, including 50% […]

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