Naturally, as a parent, guardian or carer, you may have some questions about the courses or our college.

On this page we hope to answer some of the questions you may have:

What is the difference between studying at a school sixth form and at Reading College?

Reading College is a very special place to study as it combines the technology and facilities of a large college with very strong pastoral support.

What are the A level exam results like?

The overall A level pass rate for our college was 98 per cent in 2011. The majority of our A level subjects achieved 100 per cent pass rate. The college's Sixth Form Centre is one of the best places to take your AS and A levels. In a comparison with other sixth forms measuring our ability to add value to students' achievement, we appear in the top quarter. Many of our subjects have had outstanding performance over the last three years.

Can my son/daughter get into university through routes other than the standard A levels?

Other than A levels, Advanced Diplomas, BTEC Nationals and other vocational qualifications at Level 3 (e.g. Apprenticeships) are an accepted route of entry into many universities. For those over the age of 19, Access courses also provide a recognised route. If your son or daughter has a course or university in mind it is best to check with them what their entry requirements are.

Can my son/daughter apply for a course before they get their exam results?

Yes, as soon as they know that they are interested in a course, they should complete the application form and reference form. We will arrange for an interview and they may be made an offer of a place, subject to their GCSE grades.

What happens in the interview?

The interview is a two-way process and allows your son/daughter to find out more about Reading College as well as for us to find out a bit more about them, their knowledge and experience. It gives them the chance to get more detailed information about the course and to let us know if there are any specific areas of support they might need.

What happens if my son/daughter doesn't get the grades they were expecting for their GCSEs?

If their grades are not as expected we will invite them in for an interview to explore possible study options and place them on a course at the appropriate level. We run regular clinics around exam results time, and advisers are also on hand at our Advice Centre.

What happens if the equivalent of GCSE grade C or above in Maths or English is needed for their course?

They can attend a one week 'fix it' course in early September or they can study for a Level 2 qualification in English or Maths and take the exam in just one term. These courses run every term and are free. Call 0118 967 5000 to arrange an interview.

What time do classes start and finish?

This depends on the course that they choose, and will be discussed at interview. As a rule, morning classes start from 9am and most afternoon classes end by 5pm. In addition to formal classes, students will be timetabled into the Study Zone and IT Suites for supported study.