Thabiso Khoza is among hundreds of CONEL students heading to university after completing vocational skills courses.
Hundreds of students from the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) are celebrating as they head off to university after completing vocational skills courses.
Thabiso Khoza, 19, is going to De Montford University to study a BEng in Mechanical Engineering after completing a Engineering Diploma Extended Level 3 course.
“University is going to be a new challenge and I’m really excited,” said Thabiso.
“I really enjoyed the course at CONEL. It really related to the engineering world and was more practical than at school, which should give me an advantage at university.”
During his time at CONEL, Thabiso was the captain of the College’s basketball team The Warriors, leading them to victory in the Association of College’s East Men’s League.
He joins many other successful Level 3 students who have gone on to gain places at university in recent years after opting for vocational training over academic study.
Sevgi Bostanci, 19, gained a place at London South Bank University after completing an Health and Social Care Extended Diploma Level 3 in 2016.
She said: “My teachers were kind and supportive, and helped me get the highest grade possible – a triple Distinction. The course was well structured and the work placements helped me gain the skills and experience needed to move onto a teaching degree.”
Sevgi Bostanci and Luke Taylor who both went on to university after studying at CONEL.
The College offers a wide range of Level 3 courses, which are the equivalent of three A-levels and train students in a specific job or enable them to continue into higher education.
These courses are free to 16 to 18s and include Accounting, Business, Construction, Creative and Media, ICT and Computing, Health and Social Care, Hair and Beauty, Public Services, Sport and Fitness and Travel and Tourism.
CONEL also offers Access to Higher Education courses for those who want to go to university but do not have any A-levels or have been out of work or education for some time. no formal qualifications.
Luke Taylor, 27, is now studying for a BSc in Computer Science at King’s College London after completing an Access to Higher Education Diploma in Computing in 2016.
“I found the course at CONEL incredibly helpful and really prepared me well for university,” he said.
“I am already ahead of where I need to be, which is brilliant. The teachers were very friendly and went above and beyond to provide all the information needed to help me get the grades I needed.”
The table below shows Extended Diploma Level 3 grades and their equivalents at A-level and UCAS points.
| Extended Diploma Level 3 | A-level Equivalent | UCAS points |
| D*D*D* Distinction* | A*A*A* | 56 x 3 = 168 |
| DDD - Distinction | AAA | 48 x 3 = 144 |
| MMM- Merit | CCC | 32 x 3 = 96 |
| PPP - Pass | EEE | 16 x 3 = 48 |
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