Year 11 Taster Days: 12th January 2027

Please arrive at the College between 8.30am and 8.45am. We’ll have lots of friendly faces around to meet you and advise you where you need to go to register your arrival.

Your timetable for the day will be sent to you by email before the event. You’ll follow this, going to the subject areas where your taster sessions will take place. Don’t worry – there will be lots of people around to help direct you to where you need to go and a central information point if you’re not sure or have any questions.

During the lunch break you can buy some food from our catering outlets or you can bring your own food to eat in our social areas.

You’ll have a full day experiencing life as a York College student, so as well as your main subject choices there may also be some information sessions included in your timetable for the day. 

Our Taster Day will end at 4.15pm, which is when you’ll depart College. 

If you would like to use one of the York College coach services (if applicable for where you live) for your journey to and from College then you can do this for free on the Taster Day. We operate privately run College coach routes which pick up from outside of York and also the outer York area not conveniently served by public transport. Details of the timetable for the Taster Days are on our Transport page or you can download them here. 

If you would like to use one of these services then please answer 'yes' when asked on the booking form, and choose the route number and the stop from the drop-down menu.

Some of the routes may have been revised after the bookings have opened. Please select the route number and stop closest to the one you wish to use. You should check the updated College Coach timetable the week of the Taster Days, as sometimes it is necessary to amend routes due to roadworks. We’ll also post the information on this page as well.

You will be able to use the email we send to you confirming your place on the Taster Day (or print a copy) as your College coach travel voucher to show the driver as you board.

Public transport
You can find details of other bus companies that stop outside or close to York College with the Journey Planner on the transport page of our website, in the section Local services (for areas not served by the College buses), to find routes and pick-up times. Please note that tickets for public transport routes, including the service from Thirsk and Easingwold, are not free for students using them to attend the Taster Days. 

Arriving by car
If you’re getting a lift by car there will be no College car park charges in operation on the Taster Days, so there are no charges whilst dropping-off and picking-up.

You do not need to wear school uniform but please try to dress appropriately as some subjects will be practical. We’ll provide an updated list of any subjects with clothing requirements on this page, as well as in the confirmation email with your timetable, so please check the week before to make sure.

Please bring a pen and some paper to make notes. If you need to bring anything specific to any of the subjects you are doing then we'll provide the information in your confirmation email, as well as on this page, so please check the week before.

You will need some money to buy lunch, or a snack or drink if you wish to do so. During the lunch break you can buy some food from our catering outlets (you’ll find information about what’s available here) or you can bring your own food to eat in our social areas.

Guideline minimum entry requirements for A Levels & Mix subjects are 4 GCSEs at grade 5 including English Language and Maths (though some may have additional requirements - please check the subject course descriptions on our website):

Art & Design

• Art & Design (Fine Art)
• Art & Design (Photography)
• Art & Design (Textiles)

Business

• Business
• Economics
• Enterprise Mix
• Finance & Accounting Mix
• Marketing Mix

Digital & Media

• Computer Science
• Film Studies
• Media Studies

Early Years & Education

• Early Childhood Development Mix

Engineering

• Design & Technology: Engineering Route
• Design & Technology: Product Design Route
• Engineering Mix

English

• English Language
• English Language & Literature
• English Literature

Health & Social Care

• Health Mix

Humanities & Social Sciences

• Criminology Mix
• History (Ancient)
• History (Late Medieval & Early Modern)
• History (Modern)
• Law
• Philosophy, Ethics & Religion
• Politics
• Psychology
• Sociology

Languages (you must be taking these at GCSE)

• French
• German
• Spanish

Maths

• Core Maths Certificate
• Maths
• Maths & Further Maths

Performance & Production

• Drama & Theatre Studies
• Music (you must be taking Music GCSE or have instrumental/singing and musical knowledge)
• Music Technology (you must be taking Music GCSE or have instrumental/singing and musical knowledge)

Science

• Applied Science Mix
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Geography
• Medical Science Mix
• Physics

Sport

• Physical Education
• Sport & Exercise Mix

Guideline minimum entry requirements for course levels (though some may have additional requirements - please check the subject course description on our website):

Entry level - no formal entry requirements
Level 1 - 3 GCSE subjects at grade 2
Level 2 - 4 GCSE subjects at grade 3
Level 3 - 5 GCSE subjects at grade 4 including English and/or Maths
T Level - 4 GCSE subjects at grade 5 including English Language and Maths

If no level is specified after the Vocational subject, the tutors will cover all levels available in this area.

(A) indicates subject areas that offer Apprenticeships. Please ask our tutors for more information.

Art & Design

• Art & Design Level 1/Level 2
• Creative Practice Art & Design Level 3
• Creative Practice 3D Design Level 3
• Creative Practice Fashion Design Level 3
• Creative Practice Graphic & Visual Communication Level 3* 
• Creative Practice Photography Level 3

*the course title for this has changed and can be found on the website as 2D Design Pathway.

Business (A)

• Skills for Business Level 2
• Leadership & Management T Level (Level 3)
• Marketing T Level (Level 3)

Construction (A)

• Bricklaying
• Carpentry & Joinery
• Electrical Installation Level 2 & T Level (Level 3)
• Painting & Decorating
• Plumbing Level 2
• Construction Design,Surveying & Planning T Level (Level 3)

Digital & Media (A)

• Creative Computing, Media & Games Level 1
• Computing & Games Development Level 2
• Computer Games Development Level 3
• Digital Software Development/Digital Support & Security T Level (Level 3)
• Creative Media Production & Technology Level 2
• Creative Media Production & Technology Level 3
• Broadcast, Media & Production (Content Creation & Production) T Level (Level 3)

Early Years & Education (A)

• Childcare & Early Years Level 1/Level 2
• Education & Early Years T Level (Level 3)

Engineering (A)

• Performing Engineering Operations AND Foundation Engineering & Manufacturing Level 2
• Engineering & Manufacturing T Level AND Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Level 3

ESOL

• ESOL - English for Speakers of Other Languages

Esports

• Esports - Business & Digital Innovation Level 2/Level 3

Hair, Beauty & Media Make-up (A)

• Hairdressing/Barbering
• Beauty Therapy
• Hair & Media Make-up

Health & Social Care (A)

• Health & Social Care Level 1/Level 2
• Social Care Level 3
• Health T Level (Level 3)

Hospitality (A)

• Hospitality Services

Humanities & Social Science

• Legal Services T Level (Level 3)

Motor Vehicle (A)

• Motor Vehicle

Performance & Production

• Music Performance & Production Level 2/Level 3 (you must be taking Music GCSE or have instrumental/singing and musical knowledge)
• Performance & Production Level 1
• Acting Level 2/Level 3
• Dance & Musical Theatre Level 3
• Events & Venues Technician T Level (Level 3)

Science (A)

• Science T Level (Level 3)

Skills & Inclusion

• Pathways to Work & Independent Living (Entry Level - only for students with an EHCP)

Sport & Uniformed Services (A)

• Gym Instructor & Personal Training
• Sports Coaching incl York RLFC Performance Programme
• Sport & Exercise Science
• Uniformed Services

Travel & Tourism

• Travel & Tourism Level 2/Level 3

• Apprenticeships & T Level Industry Placements
  Find out how apprenticeships and T Level industry placements connect learning with the workplace. This session will introduce the benefits of gaining practical experience and explain the opportunities available across different sectors.
   
• Brilliant Futures
  This workshop will look at skills you develop as part of our Brilliant Futures Pledge, such as Communication, and turns them into practical behaviours you can try immediately. There will be coached exercises where everyone is involved so that you leave with a real example of the skill in action and how it is used in College life.
   
• English GCSE Boost: Build Your Confidence
  If you feel you would benefit from a little extra support with your GCSE English, then this session will offer practical strategies to help improve your confidence and performance towards achieving a grade 4.
   
• Maths GCSE Boost: Build Your Confidence
  If you feel you would benefit from a little extra support with your GCSE Maths, then this session will offer practical strategies to help improve your confidence and performance towards achieving a grade 4.
   
• Support for Success at York College
  Meet our support teams and find out about travel, funding, well-being services, our Cube 360 immersive room and The Sanctuary - a safe and welcoming space for well-being. This session provides a great chance for you to ask any questions you might have and learn how we can support you throughout your College journey.
   
• Why the Next Six Months Matter
  This fast-paced, high energy session reframes the coming half-year as a moment when aspirations take shape and motivation becomes a skill you can build on. Blending real stories and insights, the session is interactive with an open Q&A at the end so that you leave with the bigger picture in focus and asking yourself what you could do with it.
   
• Basketball Development Centre
  Our basketball team are reigning AoC Yorkshire & Humber league champions and have been Regional Championship semi-finalists two years in row. Come along and find out more about training with Basketball England’s ‘Player Development Coach of the Year’ for the region, Tyler Paton Pottage, and being part of this team alongside your academic studies.
   
• Netball Development Centre
  Our team is coached by Janine Gibbons, England Netball’s ‘National Teacher/Coach of the Year’ and play in the Yorkshire & Humber League A following their promotion last year. You’ll hear about how training and matches fit around your programme of studies and what is involved in being part of a squad going from strength to strength.
   
• Men’s Football Development Centre
  Run in partnership with York City Football Club, we have three men’s football teams competing in the English College Football Association leagues and cup competitions. This two-hour session will give you the opportunity to hear in the first hour from the coaches about how the Development Centre works, followed by a one-hour training session on our 3G pitch (weather permitting). 
   
• Women’s Football Development Centre
  We have two women’s football teams, run in partnership with York City Football Club, with success each season in league and cup competitions and players being selected for the England Colleges team. This two-hour session will give you the opportunity to hear in the first hour from the coaches about how the Development Centre works, followed by a one-hour training session on our 3G pitch (weather permitting).  
   
• Men’s Rugby Development Centre
  This Development Centre offers an exciting opportunity to work with coaches from York RLFC and compete in College national leagues. During this two-hour session you will hear in the first hour from the York Knights coaches about how training and the centre works, followed by a one-hour training session on our sports pitch (weather permitting).
   
• Women’s Rugby Development Centre
  Our women’s rugby league team is led by York RLFC Valkyrie coaches and competes in College national leagues. During this two-hour session you will hear from the coaches about how training and the centre works, followed by a one-hour training session on our sports pitch (weather permitting).
   
• Esports Development Centre – Welcome to Esports 
  Unlocking the secrets of performance psychology, this session explores how elite competitors develop focus, confidence and resilience, helping participants build a winning mindset, understand the mental demands of esports and prepare for high-level performance before even turning on a PC.

When you click on the link to book you will be taken to the Taster Day Bookings Login page.

Click the button ‘Book Taster Day Now’ unless you have already submitted an application to study here in September, in which case click on ‘Login’ and enter the same email address and password you created for your course application.

Please use a personal email address rather than a school one. You’ll use the same log-in details if you decide to apply for a course at York College. All of our communication for the Taster Day booking and your College application will be sent via this email address (including College enrolment details which will be sent to you after you have left school). So please remember which one you have used and the password you have created.
 

The next page - 'Selection Summary' - shows the date that you have chosen to book on to. You can only book to attend on one of the Taster Days. Check with your school before booking that you are able to attend, and that there are no exams or important activities planned for the date you have chosen.

If the date shown is the day you wish to book for, click on ‘Continue’.

If this is NOT the date you wish to book for, please select ‘remove’ next to the date, and return to the College website 'Events' page to select the other Taster Day date.

We want you to truly experience what a day at College is like so you’ll have a full day of activities on the Taster Day made up of subject and information sessions. You will need to select:

1. Your subject sessions

When choosing your subject choices you can select up to a maximum of 6. This could be all A Levels & Mix subjects, all Vocational & T Level subjects, or a combination of these. You just need to select them in order of preference, with your first choice subject being the one you’d like to try the most.

A Level & Mix sessions are one hour, Vocational & T Level sessions last up to two hours.
Pathways to Work & Independent Living (only for students with an EHCP) is a standalone all day session and therefore cannot be mixed with other subjects - we'll send further information to students who book on to this.

• If you select only A Level & Mix subjects you should choose a minimum of 3 but can select up to 6 and we aim to timetable a maximum of 5, subject to availability.*
• If you select only Vocational/T Level subjects you should choose a minimum of 1 but can select up to 6. These are longer sessions than the A Level & Mix subjects and the most we can allocate you on the day is 3, subject to availability.*
• If you select a combination of A Level & Mix and Vocational/T Level subjects you should choose a minimum of 3 A Level & Mix sessions and up to 2 Vocational/T Level subjects and we will timetable a mix of these based on your preference order and availability.

*We’ll endeavour to allocate as many of your subject choices as we can though this may not always be possible. We have a maximum capacity in subjects and some of these may be full before the booking closing date. Where subjects are full we will operate a waiting list for students who have booked before 22nd November to infill any spaces that may become available through cancellations.

If we are unable to allocate your first choice of subject(s) as capacity is full on the day you have chosen and you would you like us to change your booking to the other Taster Day date (subject to space being available) please answer ‘yes’ to the question beneath the subject choice selection boxes. You should only do this if you know you can attend (i.e. not attending another school Taster Day, or have an exam) as we will not notify you before changing the date.

2. College Life & Information sessions

All students will spend a full day at College and so for students who may not want to select this many subject choices, or for whom we may not be able to timetable your full selection, we have a range of information sessions that you will attend. These will give you some insights into the wider College life as well as providing some helpful tips and advice to make sure you know what to expect when you come here and will get the most out of your time with us.

After you have made your subject choices please select which information sessions you would like to try. We will prioritise subject choices first and only allocate information sessions if there is a gap in your timetable and space available on the sessions you have selected.

If you have a learning difficulty, disability or an Education, Health and Care Plan, or have specific medical or health requirements, please let us know by completing the relevant sections on the booking form. Students with an EHCP will be contacted by our Learning Support team.

After completing all of the questions on all of the page tabs the final page is the ‘Summary’ page – check the details are correct. Then you must click on ‘Submit Your Taster Day Booking’ at the bottom of the page for us to receive your booking.

You’ll receive an email to confirm it has been submitted. Keep this or take a screenshot for reference, and make a note of your student reference number, in case you need to get in touch with us. This email will also be copied into the parent/carer email, if this was provided on the booking form.

Important - If you do not receive a booking confirmation email from us (and it’s not in your junk folder) please contact us as this may indicate that your booking has not come through.

Keep a check on your email inbox in case we need to contact you with questions about your booking after you have submitted it (and junk folder in case the email we send is delivered there).