Your study programme

Here at Farnborough we challenge our students to dream big and provide the support and inspiration they need to reach their full potential.

All students with a 7.5 GCSE average or higher will be invited to join our Aspire+ Programme which offers exciting opportunities and guidance  to those students with ambitions to study at the most competitive and prestigious universities, or for desirable apprenticeships and degree apprenticeship programmes.

In order to build a strong foundation, the Aspire+ Programme commences at the start of year 12 and will continue for students until the end of their college career.

The Aspire+ Programme includes a number of strands within which students receive tailored support. However, all students participating in the Programme will be encouraged to take action to extend and deepen their subject expertise and, where appropriate, go beyond the limit of the subject specifications.

Opportunities to do this include lectures, workshops, research groups, HE style presentations, webinars, wider reading, practical tasks and enrichment groups.

This wider knowledge and understanding will help you to stand out from the crowd when making applications to elite destinations and also in some cases offer the opportunity to make connections.

“The support helped me understand the application process to top universities like Oxbridge, and throughout the application process I was supported by teachers with mock interviews, helping me feel prepared for the actual interview”

Tara

Enrichment is an important part of College life which will help you to:

• develop wider skills and experience beyond your programme of study
• meet new people
• diversify your CV.

Whether your passion is performing, the outdoors, volunteering for a charity or film making, there is something for everyone here at the College. Find out more on the main College website here.

You can discover and sign up for all these activities at the Getting Ready Days in June and July, and at the Freshers’ Fair in September. Both are brilliant opportunities for you to speak to students and staff about what is on offer.

“I’m part of the feminist and philosophy society which enables me to meet people with similar interests and it enriches my lunchtimes.”

Henry

The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), equivalent to 50% of an A level, is a skills based, independent research project with a long history at Farnborough. Students select their own topic of interest and the projects are presented at the end of the year.

First year students can enrol onto the EPQ as an additional course at the end of the summer term. Some universities will give a reduced conditional offer to a student who is undertaking an EPQ.

Many departments host subject specific events throughout the year designed to stretch and challenge understanding. Examples include:

• Dedicated focus weeks for maths, sciences, computing and STEM
• National competitions
• Trips and visits.

You can find out more detailed information on each of our courses via our main website.

This course supports students who wish to apply for a university which has a maths based admissions test, for example STEP, MAT, TMUA or PAT. It provides the opportunity to improve mathematical thinking and problem solving skills alongside the introduction of topics beyond A level maths including university interview style questions.