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Applied Science Level 3

This Pearson BTEC Level 3 Foundation / Extended Diploma is for learners who want to continue their education through applied learning and who aim to progress to higher education and ultimately to employment in the science industry sector.

The qualification is equivalent in size to 3 A Levels studied over two years. Learners wishing to take this qualification will have successfully completed a Level 2 programme of learning, with GCSEs or vocational qualifications.

The requirements of the qualification will mean learners develop the transferable and higher-order skills that are highly regarded by both higher education and employers. For example, practical and analytical skills, reading scientific text, problem solving and carrying out practical laboratory tasks. In addition to your main programme, you will also engage in activities to develop your English, maths and employability skills.

The course gave me a broad introduction to science which helped me understand what direction I want to take my career in, as I have been able to learn about so many areas. I have a much better understanding of the subject and where I would like to develop my skills further.Kyle Taylor - Applied Science

***Online application for full-time courses and joint apprenticeships has now ended. We may still have spaces available on some of our programmes, see below for details of how to apply.***

In August, Advice Sessions will be available for those who have applied to start but wish to change their course choice, or are looking to start a full-time further education course with us in September 2022. These will take place from GCSE Results Day on Thursday 25th August 2022, at both our Colchester and Braintree campuses.

Advice Day dates and time slots will be published closer to the time and online bookings will open at 08:30am on Thursday 25th August. You can register your interest in attending an advice session using the link below. We will then email you once dates have been confirmed and bookings are open with sessions available to book.

I’m looking for an Apprenticeship – what are my options?

There are a number of options available to you at this stage of the application cycle. If you are interested in an Apprenticeship and have a contract offer of employment in place then please choose the option for your age from the below:

15 – 18 years old: Complete Our Late Application Form

19 years or older: Please click the ’19+ Years – How to Apply’ button located on each individual apprenticeship course page, where you will be taken to the application form.

What if I don’t have an employer?

If you do not have a contract offer of employment from an employer in place then there a number of options still available to you:

Apply for a live Apprenticeship Vacancy

We have apprenticeship vacancies available throughout the year in a variety of industries.

View our live vacancies

Join Our Talent Pool

All you have to do is complete and submit our Talent Pool application form, attend a pre-screening assessment/interview and be available when contacted. We will then send your details along with your profile to employers looking for an apprentice, inform you if you are selected and send your guidance to prepare you for interview.

Join our Talent Pool

Access to Apprenticeships - 6 month Functional Skills and Employability programme

Access to Apprenticeships – 6 month Functional Skills and Employability programme

This course is aimed at any prospective student who wishes to progress onto an apprenticeship, but does not meet the relevant entry criteria for a course, or needs to develop the necessary work based learning skills.

Maths and English can often be seen as a barrier to success on an apprenticeship, and this programme will see students working in a supportive environment to achieve Functional Skills to a level 2 standard (GCSE 4 equivalent).

Students must have a requirement to achieve English/maths at Level 2 and will work towards achieving a Functional skill in either/both English and maths. Applicants who have already achieved a 4(C) GCSE grade in both subjects will not be accepted onto the course.

Access to Apprenticeships – Find out more

Course Info

Do I have to pay a fee?

How to make an Application

Other courses in this area

Course Content

Applied Science Level 3 Foundation / Extended Diploma – Course Content

The BTEC Level 3 Foundation / Extended Diploma in Applied Science will allow students to develop the practical skills and theoretical knowledge for progression in the sciences. Throughout the course students will have the opportunity to develop their practical knowledge and skills by performing a variety of biology, physics and chemistry experimental work. Students will learn how to work safely within a laboratory environment and how to use maths and statistics to analyse experimental data.

Topics in first year include:

Principles and Applications of Science I
Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques
Science Investigation Skills
Laboratory Techniques and their Application
Physiology of Human Body Systems
Microbiology and Microbiological Techniques

Topics in second year include:

Principles and Applications of Science II
Investigative Project
Contemporary Issues in Science
Biological Molecules and Metabolic Pathways
Genetics and Genetic Engineering
Applications of Organic Chemistry
Medical Physics Applications

How Will I Be Assessed?

Learners will be assessed by a mixture of coursework and examinations.

In your first year you will sit two external examinations and four internally assessed units and in your second year you will sit two external examinations and five internally assessed units.

Entry Requirements

5 GCSEs (9-4) including English, Maths and Science, or satisfactory results (Merit/Distinction) in a relevant Level 2 qualification and an interview.

Career Opportunities

This qualification provides a route to employment as a science technician or assistant practitioner working in a wide variety of roles in the science industry or in organisations that use science. These can include roles such as medical physics technician, research laboratory technician, quality control technician, scientific journalist.

Course Progression

Our students have progressed on to a range of science related degree programmes such as Genetics, Engineering, Chemistry, Nursing, Physical Sciences, Physiotherapy, Marine Biology, Biological science, Biomedical Science and Microbiology. The course has a strong emphasis on practical laboratory work. It is the equivalent to 3 A Levels and provides a sound stepping stone to employment or to University.

All students aged 16-18 on the first day of their course will have their course fully-funded by the government.

Costs of studying

If you are/will be aged 16, 17 or 18 on the 31st August in the calendar year when you begin a programme of study, you DO NOT pay tuition fees, College registration fees or examination/board registration fees. However, there are some courses which have additional costs which could include:

equipment costs – such as uniforms, kits, boots, etc.
trips and enrichment activities
DBS checks (formerly CRB checks)

For students with an identified low household income, there may be financial support available. Bursary awards can help with your course related costs such as travel, books and equipment and much more.

19+ - Do I have to pay a fee?

The information in this section applies solely to this course and the criteria for a fee waiver is not transferable to any other course offered by the College.

You will not pay tuition fees if you are:

under 19 on the 31st August 2022

aged 19-24 on the 31st August 2022 and have an active Education, Health and Care Plan

aged 19 – 23 and have not already achieved a full Level 3 qualification* (In some cases, if you need to first enrol on a lower level course, before progressing to a Level 3, this may also be fully funded by the government)

* This means that you have not previously attained a full Level 3 or equivalent (2 A Levels or 4 AS Levels, or QAA Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma at Level 3, or a Level 3 Tech level or applied general qualification (e.g. BTEC)).

You will pay tuition fees if you are:

aged 19 and over at the start of this course and have previously achieved a full Level 3 qualification

Learners required to pay tuition fees can either self-fund (whereby you or your employer pays for the course) or apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to cover all, or part, of the tuition fees for this course. The minimum loan you can get is £300, but the maximum will depend on how much the fees are and the type of course you take.

Advanced Learner Loans

Am I eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan?

To qualify for an advanced learner loan to cover the fees for this course you must be:

19 years old or over on the first day of your course (there’s no upper age limit)
A UK national or have ‘settled status’ (this means there are no restrictions on how long you can stay)
Living in the UK on the first day of your course, and have lived in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for three years immediately before this

Most learners that fall into this bracket will be eligible, it doesn’t depend on your household income and there’s no credit check!

If your nationality or residency status is different to the above, then please contact the national Advanced Learner Loan helpline on 0300 100 0619 or check the Advanced Learner Loan website where you will be able to find further information on eligibility.

How do I apply for an Advanced Learner Loan?

Once you have applied and been offered a place on the course, the college will provide you with a ‘learning and funding information letter’. These are normally sent out in early July.

You need this to complete the loan application and you cannot apply for a loan until you have received this.

Once you have applied for a loan and it has been approved you will receive an official letter from Student Finance England.

Am I eligible for a bursary?

Applicants thinking of enrolling on this course can apply for funding to help with the costs associated with attending college. Bursary funds are targeted at students where there is an identified low household income.

The bursary fund cannot provide help with costs unrelated to your course, such as general living expenses, nor can it be used as an attendance incentive.

Applications to the fund are not normally considered if the household income exceeds £25,000 but may be considered in some instances if the household is experiencing severe financial hardship.

The 16-19 Bursary Fund is aimed at helping:

Students who are aged 16, 17 or 18 on the 31st August 2022

Students aged 19 who started a two-year programme before their 19th birthday

Students aged 19 or over on 31st August 2022 who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

If you do not meet the above criteria then you are likely to be eligible for support through either the:

19+ Bursary Fund

Advanced Learner Loan Bursary Fund (for students paying Level 3 tuition fees for with an advanced learner loan)*

*Awards from the Advanced Learner Loans Bursary Fund can only be made to students who have received an Advanced Learner Loan. If you do not intend to apply for an advanced learner loan or if your application has been unsuccessful you will not be eligible for an award from this particular fund.

Funds are targeted at course related costs such as travel, childcare, books and equipment.

Regardless of income or employment status, students self-funding (including where an employer is covering course fees), are not eligible for financial assistance through any discretionary bursary funds.

When can I apply?

Bursary Fund applications for courses starting in the 2022/23 academic year will be open from June 1st 2022.

For courses starting in September 2022, applications should be made by 1st November 2022. If you find yourself in financial hardship after this date it is important that you still contact Student Services. Applications received after 1st November will be considered on a pro-rata basis subject to need and the availability of funds.

16-19 Bursary Information

19+ Bursary Information

Payment Options

Can I pay in instalments?

Where total course fees exceed £200 you (or your employer, if they are paying your course fees) can choose to pay your fees in instalments through a monthly payment plan.

40% of the fee or £500 (whichever is lower) will be payable at enrolment.

The balance must be paid within 6 months or by the end date if the course is less than 6 months in duration.

Payment in full in advance

Payment should be made in full at the time of enrolment. Acceptable payment methods include Debit Card and Credit Card (excluding American Express). Please note that we are no longer able to accept cash or cheque payments.

How to make an Application – Watch our video guide!

***Online application for full-time courses and joint apprenticeships has now ended. We may still have spaces available on some of our programmes, see below for details of how to apply.***

I’m looking for an Apprenticeship – what are my options?

15 – 18 years old: Complete Our Late Application Form

19 years or older: Please click the ’19+ Years – How to Apply’ button located on each individual apprenticeship course page, where you will be taken to the application form.

What if I don’t have an employer?

If you do not have a contract offer of employment from an employer in place then there a number of options still available to you:

Apply for a live Apprenticeship Vacancy

We have apprenticeship vacancies available throughout the year in a variety of industries.

View our live vacancies

Join Our Talent Pool

Join our Talent Pool

Access to Apprenticeships - 6 month Functional Skills and Employability programme

Access to Apprenticeships – 6 month Functional Skills and Employability programme

Access to Apprenticeships – Find out more

Applied Science Level 3

Level	Level 3
Location	Colchester
Duration	Two Years: Year 1: Foundation Diploma \| Year 2: Extended Diploma
Study Mode	Full-Time
Campus	Colchester Campus
Start Date	September 2022 - Applications open on 1st October 2021
Fee(s)	16-18 year olds: Free 19+: £7,395 (This fee covers the full two-year course)

Course Enquiry Line: 01206 712 777 Open Event Updates Receive Updates For Parents & Guardians

Advanced Learner Loan Available

Other courses in this area

Level 3 Courses

Disclaimer

All fees, prices and funding information shown on this page are for courses starting in the 2021-22 academic year unless stated otherwise, and are correct at the time of entering/printing information, however these may be subject to change due to factors outside of our control. The College cannot accept legal or financial liability as a result of any such changes.

Courses fees are generally not confirmed for September until June / July due to the above factors.

The course information describes programmes offered by Colchester Institute. The College takes all reasonable steps to provide courses as described, but cannot guarantee provision. The information is for guidance and does not form any part of a contract.

The College reserves the right to update and amend information as and when necessary. Colchester Institute will do its best to provide the courses shown, but may have to modify or withdraw a course depending on customer demand and other factors.