York College Mix offers students option to combine A Levels with a vocational subject from 2026/27
Are you a Year 11 student struggling to decide whether you want your next steps to be A Levels or a vocational qualification?
From 2026, we are aiming to make that choice easier at York College & University Centre by offering students the opportunity to do both.
Our York College Mix option will enable learners to enrol for two A Levels, while simultaneously studying one A Level Equivalent as an Alternative Academic Qualification (AAQ).
These are practical academic courses that offer deeper subject-specific knowledge and are endorsed by employers and professional bodies, as well as providing the same UCAS points for entry into university as would be gained from an A Level.
The AAQ subjects available for York College Mix students will be in Applied Science; Cyber Security & Networks; Early Childhood Development; Engineering; Enterprise & Innovation; Health; Information Technology; Medical Science; Marketing; Policing & Criminal Justice; and Sport, Exercise & Health.
From September 2026, we will also be introducing a new A Level in Environmental Science.
That will further expand our A Level offering to 37 different subjects – the largest number of any education provider in North Yorkshire.
The next academic year will see the launch of three new T Level courses, too, in Marketing; Craft & Design – Jewellery Maker; and Legal Services.
T Levels are technical-based qualifications that have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses and consist of content that meets the needs of industry and prepares students for work, further training or study.
They were introduced by the Government in 2020 and incorporate 315 work placement hours, with a Distinction* grade equivalent to three A*s at A Level.
The new courses will extend York College’s provision to 13 T Levels.
A Level 3 Creative Practice – Photography course, meanwhile, will be added to our list of vocational qualifications in 2026/27.
We are also currently offering tuition for eight new apprenticeships – Craft Painter and Decorator Level 3; Furniture Making Operative Level 2; Early Years Practitioner Level 2; Early Years Educator Level 3; Adult Care Worker Level 2; Senior Health Care Support Worker Level 3; Finance Assistant (AAT) Level 2 and Chef de Partie Level 3.
There are also plans to announce further new apprenticeships in early 2026, along with some adult courses (including free classes), so please check our website to keep updated.
All apprentices will need to be in employment for a minimum of 30 hours per week and a current list of our apprenticeship vacancies can be found here
If you are an employer who would like to find out more about apprenticeships, please contact our Apprenticeship Team by emailing apprenticeships@yorkcollege.ac.uk
Want to discuss the York College Mix or any of our degree, higher-level, vocational, T Level and A Level courses or apprenticeships with our expert team of tutors and check out our state-of-the-art facilities?
Then, please come along to our next Open Event on Thursday. Register a place here
