Automotive Maintenance - Level 1

Summary

Level 1 Diplomas only last one year and allow you to build up a strong foundation of knowledge in your chosen subject area..

Pass a Level 1 Diploma successfully and you are on course to follow up with a Level 2 qualification.

  • Advanced Skills and Knowledge:  Build on the new knowledge you have gained and develop basic skills in your chosen subject
  • Better Job Prospects: Improve your chances of getting a job with practical skills and qualifications that employers value.
  • Next Step in Education: Get ready for further study at Level 2 by developing the essential academic and practical skills you need, including building your Maths and English
  • Boost Confidence and Independence: Increase your confidence and independence through hands-on learning and real-world applications.
  • Focused Learning: Concentrate on specific areas of interest, allowing you to tailor your education to your career goals.
  • Supportive Learning Environment: Enjoy a supportive and dynamic learning environment that encourages personal and academic growth..

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
02 Sep 2026
Bispham Campus
1 Year

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

When you successfully complete the Level 1  Vehicle Maintenance Level 1  course you will be able to progress to Level 2 Vehicle Maintenance or Level 2 Vehicle Body Repair and Paint

Throughout your time on the course you will receive regular career and progression advice from our team of highly qualified tutors, who have many years’ experience working as skilled technicians in the industry.

After successfully completing your Level 1 you will be well on your way to achieving your career aspirations and will have moved a step closer to reaching your career goal.

 

Next steps at B&FC

Level  2 Technical Occupational Entry in Automotive Care (Diploma) in the next step on your path to a rewarding career.

Employment Opportunities

This course is designed specifically designed to prepare you for progression onto a related Level 2 course in the automotive sector.

Key information

Entry Requirements

  • Commitment to study three days a week, motivation to study the subject
  • A successful discussion with a tutor
  • The ability to study independently
  • Good communication skills
  • Hardworking approach toward the industry

Qualification obtained

Award in Automotive Maintenance

Fees and funding

Courses for learners who are 16-18 years old at the start of their course and resident in the UK are fully funded. You may also be entitled to further financial help to support your studies depending on your personal circumstances. For more details of these, please visit our page on Finance Support for School Leavers. 

If you are not a UK resident, we will confirm whether funding is available when we process your application. If not, you may be liable for course fees.

Extra costs and equipment

You will need to provide your own safety boots and overalls / boiler suit for practical activities. A typical pair of safety boots should cost no more than £12 and a pair of overalls £15.

All other protective equipment will be provided by us.

All tools and equipment are provided for practical sessions and access to computers and all software required for the course is available at the College.

You will be expected to provide your own pen, pencil, basic drawing equipment and a note pad.

What will I learn?

While working towards your Level 1 Automotive Maintenance qualification, you will develop the basic knowledge and hands‑on skills needed to carry out common tasks in vehicle maintenance, repair and servicing.

You will be taught by experienced tutors who have strong industry backgrounds and a passion for helping new learners gain confidence and succeed in the automotive sector.

Your tutors will work with you to understand how you learn best and will adapt their teaching methods to support your progress.

You will also have weekly opportunities to meet with your progress tutor to discuss how you are getting on, and you will be allocated a team manager who will support you throughout your learning and future career aims.

This course is mainly practical and delivered in the following way, with typical weekly hours:

• Automotive Practical Sessions (Workshop – 6 hours)
• Automotive Theory Sessions (Classroom – 2.25 hours)
• Independent Study (1.5 hours)
• Industry Placement (Minimum 26 hours in total with an employer)
• Progress Meeting (Classroom – 1.5 hours)
• English and Maths (3 to 7.5 hours depending on your GCSE results)

You will learn in a supportive environment with regular target‑setting and reviews to help you stay on track and achieve your goals.

Essential skills: English and Maths

All school leavers at B&FC are encouraged to continue developing their English and maths skills as higher ability in both these subjects is linked to long-term career success and increased earning potential - irrespective of how well you performed at GCSE. If, however, you achieve a GCSE Grade 3 or less in either subject, you will also have the opportunity to work towards re-sitting these to enhance your paper-based qualifications. This won’t delay your career journey because you will be undertaking this programme of study at the same time as your chosen subject.

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

You will have the opportunity to attend your industry placement with a local employer, which is an essential part of the course. This normally takes place once you have gained sufficient knowledge of safe working practices.

We will help you to select the type of placement that best suits your industry interests and will benefit you the most.

There are no planned essential field trips.

How will I learn?

Expert tutors

All tutors involved in the delivery of courses and apprenticeships within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and a familiarity with professional practice. The aim of this is to enrich students’ learning experience, giving them an insight into what working in the industry is really like.

How will I be assessed?

Alongside building your practical skills, you will also need to show that you understand basic vehicle repair techniques and the correct procedures for carrying them out.

Your knowledge is assessed using online, multiple choice testing and through assignment work.

Your assessment weighting is as follows:

  • Practical skills assessments in the workshop (75%)
  • Online multiple-choice tests (25%)