Further education

For a complete list of schools and colleges and the courses on offer in Berkshire visit the BOPS website.

Further Education (FE) colleges are one of the options open to you when you have finished your compulsory education, and which can enable you to continue your learning and learn new skills.

An FE or sixth form college can offer a larger range of courses than most schools. This gives you the chance to put together a series of courses that will take you where you want to go (or keep your options open if you don’t know yet). You’ll also mix with a wider range of people with more varied interests than you did at school.

Putting together your personal ‘course portfolio’ can be complicated. Read the prospectuses or view the websites carefully. Don’t assume that you can mix and match anything you choose; the timetables may not be that flexible. Colleges have open days as well as interview days; take time to find the right tutor to talk to. In April, May and July college tutors will have more time to give to applicants than during the rush of September enrolment.

Links to local colleges:

Berkshire College of Agriculture For details of student advisory days click here

Bracknell and Wokingham College For details of open events click here

East Berkshire College For details of open days click here

Newbury College For details of open days click here

Reading College For details of open days and events click here