The BTC Honours Academy is an enrichment opportunity based at our Bridgwater campus and open to all students who are ambitious, motivated and hard working. The Academy will help stretch and challenge you to progress to leading universities and sought-after employment by offering additional tuition and skills development.

During your weekly enrichment session you will prepare for progression to top universities and employers, whilst increasing your confidence, public speaking, social and presentation skills. You will extend your learning within and outside of your area of study and develop leadership skills. You will also have the opportunity to take part in master classes from visiting experts, including STEP Maths support, speak to former college students who have progressed on to top universities, whilst also taking part in trips, visits and residentials, such as Oxbridge summer schools.

Entry Requirements

All students on the A Level programme are invited to get involved in the Honours Academy; however, those who fulfil the following criteria would benefit most:

1 An interest in pursuing a work experience during your A Level programme
2 A genuine, evidenced ambition for progressing on to the most competitive higher education and employment institutions
3 A commitment to maintaining outstanding attendance

The Honours Academy was vital in helping me receive my place to study at Oxford University. It made the application process as straight forward and easy as it could be and offered loads of support throughout. As a student who was never 100% sure what degree or university to apply for, the Honours Academy was very helpful in guiding and encouraging me to aim high, which ultimately paid off.

MADELINE KENNARD
A Levels (Biology, Physical Education & Psychology)
Destined for Experimental Psychology at Oxford

Example Master Classes

Oxford University Outreach Officers
Every year, admissions officers from Exeter and Mansfield colleges visit to offer application advice. In turn, they host visits to the Oxford Further Education Conference and Open Day

Sir Peter Wall
Our link with Speakers4Schools led to a visit from former Chief of the General Staff, Sir Peter Wall. He spoke to students on a variety of topics, including international relations, conflict resolution and global security

Next Steps South West
Our college collaborates with NSSW to help students that have the ability to progress on to higher education, though are unlikely to due to factors such as no one in their family have been before, to access the the top universities.

John Dobai
Through our links with Holocause Education Trust, students have attended trips to Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen; and invited Holocause survivors, such as John Dobai, to give talks to the college.

Wells Cathedral
Every year our students attend the Sixth Form conferences at Wells Cathedral where they learn about important issues from experts. Recent topics included tackling the climate crisis and raising awareness of conflict resolution issues.

Oxbridge Interview Preparation Day at Millfield School
The College fosters links with local schools hosted at Millfield where students engage in workshops, such as the High Ability Consortium and Leadership Symposium, which helps students prepare for Oxbridge interviews and gives entrepreneurialism and careers advice.

Academic Enhancement

UNIQ – University of Oxford

Through a four night, five-day residential course in either spring or summer, you can discover student life for yourself. Living just like the other students, you will stay in an Oxford college, attend academic and admissions sessions during the day and relaxed social activities in the evenings. During your Oxford residential, you will receive lots of admissions advice so you can make a competitive application to any university, wherever you decide to apply.

Access to Bristol University Scheme & University of Exeter Scholars

These programmes are held at Exeter and Bristol universities and allow students to choose to study one of dozens of subject streams, representing many of the degree subjects available at Bristol and Exeter. You will get an idea of what it is like to study at these universities, working with academics and current students who can offer advice and guidance about higher education and their subject area. Previous BTC students who have taken part have consequently received contextual offers.

The Sutton Trust US Programme

The aim of the Sutton Trust US Programme is to identify the UK’s most talented state school students and to provide them with the opportunity to experience US culture and higher education first-hand through a weeklong programme in the US. Previous BTC students have received tailored advice and guidance leading to fully funded US university places.

Erasmus+

We have strong links with an extensive list of educational institutions across Europe and have successfully secured funding to enable students and staff to work, train and study abroad.

The A Level Academic Scholarship

Entry Requirements

1 A minimum of eight GCSEs in the 9 to 5 range(including English and Maths), with at least five at grade 9.
2 Successful completion of the Bridgwater & Taunton College Scholarship application and interview process.
3 You will need to show ambition, enthusiasm, talent and a capacity for hard work.

The Scholarship offers automatic enrolment in to the College’s Honours Academy, which provides specialist tutorial support for high achieving students and specialist additional teaching and support depending on your intended destination You also recieve £1,000 towards your first year tuition fees at Cambridge or Oxford University, any Russell Group university, a music conservatoire in the UK, medical school in the UK or other leading institutions, perhaps specialising in your field of study, at the discretion of the Scholarships Admissions Panel.

For more information please call the College on 01278 455464 and ask to speak with a member of A Levels or alternatively email crowleyk@btc.ac.uk.

Please see the Scholarships pages on our website for more information and how to apply.

Please note you do not need to apply for the Honours Academy if you have already applied for the Academic Scholarship.