Vehicle Accident Repair and Paint Level 2/3
The vehicle re-finishing programme includes paint preparation, chip repair techniques, spraying equipment set-up, matching paintwork, paint application, burnishing and polishing, identification and rectification of surface defects and cleaning and valeting. This VRQ covers the technical needs for basic repair and preparation procedures. It provides essential knowledge and skills for vehicle body paint operators, working on a wide range of vehicles, in all types of garages, dealerships and specialist body paint businesses.
The Vehicle Accident and Repair (Paint Principles) Diploma Level 2 course has been designed to enhance students’ vehicle body repair/re-finishing skills, knowledge and understanding to Level 2.
The Vehicle Accident and Repair (Paint Principles) Diploma Level 3 is for learners who have already achieved a level 2 paint qualification and wish to develop their paint skills further.
The course will enable the learners to develop skills and understanding of the procedures for the refinishing of new and repaired vehicle panels.
This will be completed by working on real customer’s vehicles and simulated work. In addition to your main programme, you will also engage in activities to develop your English, Maths and employability skills.
Course Content
The learning programme involves learners studying both the theory and practical aspects, including:
- preparing metal and pre-painted surfaces
- preparing and applying fillers and foundation materials to vehicles
- repairing minor paint defects.
Learners will also gain a broad knowledge and understanding of health and safety in the workplace and other skills associated with working in a garage.
Vehicle Accident Repair Paint Principles Diploma Level 2 units may include:
- Vehicle Structure Technology and Workshop
- Material Technology
- Repair Techniques and Technology
- Refinishing Techniques and Technology
- Employability
- Functional Skills/GCSEs
Practical work will be undertaken in the workshops on our own vehicles, commercial projects and students’ own vehicles as appropriate.
Vehicle Accident Repair Paint Principles Diploma Level 3 units may include:
- Preparation of New and Repaired Panels
- Skills in Paint Mixing and Matching
- Spot Repair
- Skills in the Application of Primers, 2k Solid Colour, Water Born Basecoat, Clear Coat and 3 Stage Pearl
- Introduction to SMART Repair and Custom Paint Techniques
- The Ability to Identify and Rectify a Range of Paint Faults
This will be supported by both practical and theory lessons with a bias toward practical work.
Entry Requirements
- 4 GCSEs (9-3) including English and Maths, or satisfactory results (Merit/Distinction) in a relevant Level 1 qualification
- An interview.
Progression onto Level 3 is dependent on satisfactory results in the Level 2 Vehicle Accident Repair and Paint, and an interview.
What Can I Do Next?
Level 2: Employment in the body repair and re-finishing industry or further study and training, including progression to the Level 3 in Paint Principles
Level 3: Employment within the motor trade as a painter or the opportunity to study at a higher level of education such as HNCs and Foundation Degrees or look to specialise further in paint principles.
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.
Aged 19+ - Fees and Funding
If you are aged 19 and over, in certain circumstances you may be eligible for a fee waiver and therefore you will not have to pay for this course.
Eligibility for a fee waiver will depend your age at the start of the course, your previous qualifications, your employment status and whether you claim certain benefits.
If you do not meet the criteria for a fee waiver, you may be eligible for some assistance from the College’s Bursary Funds, depending on the household financial circumstances.
If you do not meet the criteria for a fee waiver, and are not eligible for assistance from the Bursary Fund, you will have to pay for this course.
Published course fees for this course are located further down this course information page.
Do I have to pay a fee for Level 2?
The information in this section applies to this course, and may not apply to other courses with different funding criteria.
| You will not pay tuition fees if you are: |
| aged 19-24 on the 31st August 2022 and have an active Education, Health and Care Plan |
| aged 19 – 23, and already have a level 2 qualification in another subject (or 5 GCSEs grades 9-4) and are unemployed and in receipt of benefits |
| aged over 24, unemployed and in receipt of benefits |
| aged 19-23, already have a level 2 qualification in another subject (or 5 GCSEs grades 9-4) and are employed with a gross annual salary under £17,374 per annum |
| aged over 24 and are employed with a gross annual salary under £17,374 per annum |
If you are aged 19-23 and do not already have a level 2 qualification in any other subject or 5 GCSEs grades 9 – 4, you will not qualify for any government funding and will pay a considerably higher amount than the published course fee shown on this page.
| You will pay the published fee shown on this page (this fee is co-funded, which means the remainder of the fee is paid by the government) if you are: |
| aged 19-23, already have a level 2 qualification in another subject (or 5 GCSEs grades 9-4) and are unemployed but do not claim a benefit |
| aged 19-23, already have a level 2 qualification in another subject (or 5 GCSEs grades 9-4) and earn over £17,374 per annum |
| aged over 24 and are unemployed but do not claim a benefit |
| aged over 24 and are employed with a gross annual salary over £17,374 per annum |
In certain circumstances, the College’s discretionary bursary fund maybe able to assist with a contribution towards tuition fees. Eligibility to the fund depends on the household’s financial circumstances. Further information regarding the discretionary bursary fund can be found further down this page.
Please note that if you have to pay the full-cost fee, you are unable to access any financial assistance from the College Bursary Fund.
Do I have to pay a fee for Level 3?
National Skills Level 3 Offer
The Lifetime Skills Guarantee gives adult learners (who will be studying for their first full Level 3 qualification) the opportunity to study a fully-funded course. It is part of the government’s National Skills Fund to help adults to gain the skills they need for employment, and to improve their job prospects.
Level 3 of this course offered at Colchester Institute is included in the Lifetime Skills Guarantee.
Level 3 will be free if you meet the eligibility criteria listed below. If these do not apply, you may need to pay a fee, and the fee is located further down the course information page. You can apply for a loan to cover all of your tuition fees.
As there is no direct entry onto Level 3 for this course you will need to enrol on a lower level to be able to progress to Level 3. Depending on your circumstances, this may also be fully funded by the government.
The information in this section applies to this course, and as such may not apply to other courses with different funding criteria.
| 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 and over at the start of this course and you do not already have a qualification at this level (a full Level 3 or equivalent). * 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)). 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. If you are aged over 19 and have studied this course at Level 2 with us previously (or at another training provider) and would like to enrol directly onto Level 3 please contact our Admissions Department, where candidates will be assessed on an individual basis prior to application. |
| 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. |
What if I am on a low income or unemployed?
| From 1st April 2022 adults in England who already have an existing full Level 3 qualification or higher, or have previously achieved any other qualification included in the Level 3 adult offer, may be able to study this qualification for free. |
| You will not pay tuition fees provided that your qualification was achieved before 1st April 2021 and you meet either of the criteria below: |
| aged over 19, unemployed and in receipt of benefits |
| employed and earning under the National Living Wage annually (£18,525) |
For students with an identified low household income, there may be financial support available through the College’s discretionary bursary fund. Although the funds cannot be used to pay for course fees they can be used to contribute towards other course related costs such as travel, childcare, books and equipment.
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?
Level 2
If you are aged 19 at the start of the course, unemployed and not in receipt of benefits, or employed and earning over £17,374, you may be eligible for assistance with your tuition fees from the College Bursary fund.
Bursary funds are targeted at households with a net income of under £25,000.
If you are assessed as being eligible for a bursary award to assist with your tuition fees, the award will not exceed 75% of the fee payable and you will be responsible for paying the balance of the fee.
Students of all ages can apply for assistance from the bursary fund for other course related costs, such as transport, meals, books and equipment.
The bursary fund cannot assist with any general living costs 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.
When can I apply?
16-19 and 19+ 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.
Full details of the bursary funds can be found here:
Level 3
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 |
| or |
| 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.
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!
Applications for September 2023 open now!
The application window for full-time courses and joint apprenticeship applications opened on Monday 3rd October at 12pm.
Before submitting your online application, make sure you have got an email address which you will check frequently and which is professional and appropriate for this purpose, and use this when you create your account. Submit the application as early as possible and remember to make a note of your USERNAME and PASSWORD details! You will need these later.
We have prepared a step-by-step video guide below – please view this video which will guide you through the application process.
Application Do's and Don'ts
Application Tips
If you have chosen the study programme you would like to apply for then you are almost there. We recommend that you read our handy application tips, watch our video and then make your application.
You can only apply for one full-time programme and one apprenticeship. You can do this together within the same application form, in what is known as a joint application.
Remember, you cannot study more than one core subject. For example, you would not be able to study two full-time programmes in different subjects simultaneously. You would take Plumbing or Music, not Plumbing and Music.
Your subject will be your primary qualification and forms the bulk of your programme of study.
Application Dos
- Apply as early as possible. We want to make sure you have the best chance of securing a place with us. All full-time applications received by the 31st of January 2023 will be guaranteed a place at Colchester Institute, subject to you satisfying the published entry requirements. We still accept applications after this date but may not be able to guarantee you a place on your chosen programme.
- Think carefully about your course choice before you apply. Talk to your head of year or careers adviser at school to make sure you have explored all your options and have found a course that suits you best. You may wish to attend one of our open days to find out more before applying.
- Make sure you attend any interviews or assessments we invite you to. These are a mandatory part of our process. They give you the opportunity to find out more about our courses, as well as allowing us to make sure you are on the most appropriate course for you. Some courses may invite you to attend a second interview or audition to demonstrate your skills and to ensure you are on the most appropriate level for you.
- Please let us know if your contact details or address change. We will use a variety of letters, emails and texts to communicate with you throughout the process, and the information we provide is both confidential and vital to your application. If you move home or change your phone number and don’t inform us of any changes, you could miss some vital information.
Application Don’ts
- Do not make multiple applications. If you are unsure, for example, of which construction/trade subject you would like to study, please only make an application for one of them. Likewise, if you later wish you had applied for a different course, please don’t worry – we can change your application. Whatever the reason for wanting to change, there is no need to make another application.
- Do not use a school email address when you create your account. Remember, you will need to access this account later in the summer after you have left school.
- Do not create another account if you have previously applied. If you have applied in previous years, please do not create a new account. If you are unsure, contact us to check which username and password to use.
Just call us on 01206 712777
Vehicle Accident Repair and Paint Level 2/3
| Level | Level 2 Level 3 |
|---|---|
| Location | Colchester |
| Duration | Two Years: Year 1: Level 2 Year 2: Level 3 |
| Study Mode | Full-Time |
| Campus / Adult Skills Centre | Colchester Campus |
| Start Date | September 2023 |
| Applications | Applications opened on Monday 3rd October 2022 |
| Fee(s) | 16-18 year olds: Free 19+: Year 1: £1,875 19+: Year 2: £5,421 |
Other courses in this area
Level 1 Courses
Disclaimer
All fees, prices and funding information shown on this page are for courses starting in the 2022-23 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.
