FAQs

For 2023-24, the Race Technician course will take place over five days per week and consists of face-to-face learning on two consecutive days in the college and also online tasks over three days undertaken at home (two compulsory time-tabled sessions and flexible tasks.)

You will need at least GCSE grade 3 or Level 2 Functional Skills in English and maths to qualify for entry onto the Motorsport Race Technician course.  If you do not achieve the required grades for entry, you are advised to retake your exams and then reapply to the college for the next academic year.

The principle qualification delivered at Silverstone is the:

EAL Level 2 Diploma in Engineering Operations (Knowledge).

Students will also complete the City & Guilds Health & Safety Award qualification as part of their study programme.

The programme of study carried out at Silverstone also includes:

• Life-skills’ enhancement tasks throughout the year
• Tutorial lessons which are carried out in-house
• Maths and English ‘stretch’ online classes for students aged 16 to 18 who are not required to re-sit GCSEs (not applicable for 19+ students)
• All students are expected to complete a minimum of twenty hours of work experience with a race team during the academic year

The course is assessed by coursework submitted plus one online exam.

If you are aged 16-18 on 31 August 2023, a British resident and looking to study at Level 2, the tuition fees and any exam registration fees are FREE unless your permanent address is outside England.

For any students who are aged 19+ on 31 August 2023 who are looking to study the Level 2 qualification, the course is free, unless you live outside England or are in a devolved postcode.  Please check with info@bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk to check for your eligibility as conditions of funding can change.  Course costs are available on request.

You will need to make your own arrangements for accommodation.

There is no NC4M college transport available to and from the Silverstone facility although there is another college public bus that our students can use that runs from Milton Keynes. Contact NC4M for details.  You will need to check online timetables for trains and buses from your area.

For students aged 16-18, a bursary is a payment you could receive if you are eligible which may help towards accommodation, clothing and equipment required for your course, as well as travel and lunch on the days you are in the college.  For further information, please go on to the main Bedford College Group link:

https://www.bedford.ac.uk/student-support/financial-support/16-18-bursary

For students aged 19+, contact: info@bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk for finance options.

Students with any concerns or worries can seek advice from the college Personal Achievement Tutor (PAT) who you will meet at the beginning of the course. If you have a personal issue, you can speak to the PAT for advice; they will also be able to suggest other support services available and refer you. The PAT and your Tutor will provide all the support you need to ensure that you are able to complete the course successfully.

The college year starts 4^th September 2023 until June 2024.  If you are waiting for GCSE results, it is essential that, following results’ day, you upload evidence of proof of qualifications, ID, a recent photograph and fee waiver (if applicable.)  The photograph is required to produce the student ID card.  Without the above information, Admissions cannot enrol you.

Once you have provided the above information, you will be enrolled by the Admissions Department who will send you a ‘First Day’ letter to confirm your start day, where to go and what to bring with you.  Our Induction takes place during your first week of the course as detailed on the letter.

The parking spaces immediately in front of Units 8 and 2285 are reserved for staff and visitors only.  There is a small Visitors’ Parking area by Unit 2235 at the entrance road to 2285.  Further marked parking spaces are available at the Innovation Centre and on the entry road into the Technology Park.

Full time Motorsport Race Technician students who pass the Level 2 course could progress into an apprenticeship or be employed by a race team.

Alternatively, you can advance on to the full-time Level 3 Motorsport Race Technician programme here.

All students must obtain the complete National College for Motorsport uniform which is purchased directly from our supplier: T. King Associates. The complete uniform must be worn as students will be representing the college whilst at the Silverstone site and when undertaking work experience with race teams. The cost for the ‘bundle’ for 2023-24 is £297.

Due to the bespoke design of the uniform, T. King will offer exchange only on items. Please note: if you are waiting for exam results and there are any concerns that you will not meet the minimum grade criteria to join the college, do not order the uniform until you have received your grades.

For a size guide or any uniform related queries, you must call T. King direct on: 01280 824836 and then order using the link below:

https://www.uniformcity.co.uk/school/tresham-institute

NC4M is unable to advise on sizing or queries on orders.

A branded beanie hat is also included for 2023-4.

Race teams have never before been able to access industry specific qualifications for their race mechanics. This failure in the education system has resulted in race mechanics progressing through experience as the benchmark for quality. Although this proven method is accepted by the motorsport industry, it is by no means a guarantee that you will find a good quality race mechanic.

At the National College for Motorsport, we try to combine the tried and tested methods of progression through hands on experience with good quality motorsport industry specific qualifications, delivered by experienced ex-professional race mechanics in an industry specification facility.

The Engineering Operative Apprenticeship Standard with the National College of Motorsports combines the knowledge qualification gained on the full time programme with the skills qualification attained in the workplace to achieve the full Apprenticeship Standard following the synoptic end point assessment process.

• Complying with statutory regulations and organisational safety requirements
• Working efficiently and effectively in advanced manufacturing and engineering
• Using and interpreting engineering data and documentation
• Using and interpreting engineering data and documentation
• Stripping and rebuilding motorsport vehicles pre-competition
• Inspecting a motorsport vehicle during a competition
• Diagnosing and rectifying faults on motorsport vehicle systems during competition

Further Knowledge modules will be delivered as part of this Apprenticeship Programme.

You will train your apprentice, which means they will be moulded to exactly the way you and your team works. They will serve a four year nationally recognised apprenticeship, which will be a good quality benchmark for your company, and could ease any insurance issues presented in the future by event organisers questioning “qualified” staff members working in the pit lane and on race cars at events.

As of April 2017 all UK employers who have a total wage bill in excess of £3 million a year will pay the new apprenticeship levy. The levy rate will be set at 0.5% of your wage bill offset by a levy allowance of £15,000.

If your wage bill is less than this you will not pay the apprenticeship levy, however you may need to make a contribution to fund any apprentice you employ. You will need to co-invest 5% of the agreed price and the government will pay the remaining 95%. For small employers (fewer than 50 employees) who take on younger apprentices (aged 16-18) the government will pay 100% of the apprenticeship costs.

No, there is no upper age limit to study for an apprenticeship.