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The table below shows details of the standard college entry requirements. Subject specific requirements may apply and can be found on the inside of this booklet and on the college’s website. If you don’t achieve a grade 4 in GCSE maths and/or English language you will re-sit these as part of your programme of study.
| PROGRAMME | GCSE GRADES REQUIRED |
|---|---|
| A Level Programme (Level 3) | Two grade 5s and three grade 4s at GCSE including a grade 4 in English language |
| Excellence Programme | An average of grade 7 at GCSE |
| T Level Programme (Level 3) | Two grade 5s and three grade 4s at GCSE including both GCSE maths and English language |
| Combined Programme (A Levels and Level 3 Vocational - BTECs/CTECs) | Five grade 4s at GCSE including a 4 in Maths or English |
| Vocational Programme (Level 3 A Level equivalent) | Five grade 4s at GCSE including a 4 in Maths or English |
| Foundation Programme (GCSE equivalent) | Four grade 3s at GCSE with a 3 in either Maths or English and a 2 in the other |
A Level Courses
We require at least two GCSEs at grade 5 and three GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English language. You must also meet the specific requirements for the individual courses you want to take.
| A LEVELS | SPECIFIC GCSE REQUIREMENTS |
|---|---|
| Accounting | At least a 5 in Maths |
| Ancient History | At least a 5 in an essay-based subject |
| Art, Craft and Design | At least a 4 in art or design technology subject (if studied) or portfolio of work demonstrating appropriate creative skills |
| Biology | At least a 6 in Biology or 5/6 in Combined Science and a 5 in Maths |
| Business Studies | At least a 4 in English Language and Maths. Grade 4 or BTEC Pass in business (if studied at school) |
| Chemistry | At least a 6 in Chemistry or 5/6 in combined science and a 5 in Maths |
| Computer Science | At least a 5 in Maths and a 4 in English Language |
| Core Maths | At least a 5 in maths |
| Photography | At least a 4 in Art or design technology subject (if studied at school) or portfolio of work demonstrating appropriate creative skills |
| Drama and Theatre Studies | At least a 4 in Drama (if studied) (up-to-date experience will be considered as an alternative) |
| Economics | At least a 5 in Maths plus a 5 in an essay based subject |
| Electronics | At least a 5 in Physics or 5/5 in Combined Science and a 5 in Maths |
| English Language and Literature Combined | At least a 4 in English Language and English Literature |
| English Language | At least a 5 in English Language |
| English Literature | At least a 5 in English literature |
| Environmental Science | At least a 5/5 in Combined Science and a 4 in Maths |
| Film Studies | Standard entry requirements |
| Fine Art | At least a 4 in Art or design technology subject (if studied at school) or portfolio of work demonstrating appropriate creative skills |
| French | At least a 5 in French |
| Further Maths | At least a 7 in Maths (must take A Level Maths too) |
| Geography | At least a 5 in Geography (if studied) and a 5 in an essay based subject |
| German | At least a 5 in German |
| Graphic Design | At least a 4 in Art or design technology subject (if studied at school) or portfolio of work demonstrating appropriate creative skills |
| Law | At least a 5 in an essay-based subject |
| Mathematics | At least a 6 in Maths |
| Media Studies | Standard entry requirements |
| Modern History | At least a 5 in History (if studied at school) and 5 in an essay-based subject |
| Music Technology | Standard entry requirements. Any prior experience of using production software will help students become familiar with recording features, edit screens and plugins |
| Photography | At least a 4 in Art or design technology subject (if studied at school) or portfolio of work demonstrating appropriate creative skills |
| Physical Education | At least a 4 in PE (if studied at school) and a 4 in any single science or 4/5 in Combined Science |
| Physics | At least a 6 in Physics or 5/6 in combined science and a 6 in Maths |
| Politics | At least a 5 in an essay-based subject |
| Psychology | At least a 5 in an essay-based subject, 4 in Maths and 4/5 Combined Science or a 5 in Biology (single) |
| Religion, Ethics and Philosophy | At least a 5 in Religious Studies (if studied at school) and 5 in an essay-based subject |
| Sociology | Standard entry requirements |
| Spanish | At least a 5 in Spanish |
| Statistics | At least a 5 in maths |
| Textiles | At least a 4 in Art or design technology subject (if studied at school) or portfolio of work demonstrating appropriate creative skills |
VOCATIONAL Courses
Vocational study programmes include courses like BTECs, CTECs and T Levels that are equivalent to A Levels at level 3. Courses are offered as SINGLE (Extended Certificate -1), SINGLE + (Foundation Diploma - 1.5), DOUBLE (Diploma - 2) or TRIPLE (Extended Diploma -3). Your study programme will include three (or the equivalent of three) courses.
We require five grade 9-4 passes (or equivalent) including English language or maths.
You must also meet the specific requirements for the individual courses you want to take.
| SINGLE Extended Certificate (1) | SINGLE + Foundation Diploma (1.5) | DOUBLE Diploma (2) | TRIPLE Extended Diploma (3) |
|---|
| A LEVELS | SPECIFIC GCSE REQUIREMENTS | SINGLE | SINGLE+ | DOUBLE | TRIPLE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Science CTEC | At least a 4/5 in combined science and a 4 in maths | ✅ | |||
| Art & Design Practice BTEC | At least a 4 in art or design technology subject (if studied) or portfolio of work demonstrating appropriate creative skills | ✅ | |||
| Business BTEC | Standard entry requirements | ✅ | ✅ | ||
| Criminology DIPLOMA | At least a grade 4 in English language | ✅ | |||
| Dance BTEC | At least 2 years of dance training in any style | ✅ | ✅ | ||
| Engineering CTEC | At least a 4/5 in combined science and a 5 in maths | ✅ | |||
| Fashion Design, Promotion and Marketing BTEC | At least a 4 in art or design technology subject (if studied) or portfolio of work demonstrating appropriate creative skills | ✅ | |||
| Film and TV BTEC | At least a 4 in English language | ✅ | |||
| Health and Social Care BTEC | Standard entry requirements (double) At least a grade 4 in science (triple) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | |
| Information Technology BTEC | At least a 4 in English language or maths | ✅ | ✅ | ||
| Music Performance BTEC | At least ABRSM (or equivalent) grade 4 in music (instrumental/vocal) or audition | ✅ | ✅ | ||
| Musical Theatre BTEC | At least 2 years recent practical experience in performance | ✅ | ✅ | ||
| Sport and Exercise Sciences BTEC | At least a 4/4 in double science or 5 in single science | ✅ | ✅ | ||
| Sport BTEC | Standard entry requirements | ✅ | |||
| Travel and Tourism BTEC | Standard entry requirements | ✅ | ✅ | ||
| Uniformed Protective Services BTEC | Standard entry requirements | ✅ | ✅ |
T-Levels
T-Levels are an exciting new alternative to A levels, BTECs, apprenticeships and other 16-19 courses. Developed with employers, they are equivalent to three A levels and combine the academic elements of A Levels with the vocational aspects of BTECs and the practical experience of apprenticeships.
As a T-Level student, you will spend 80% of the course in college learning relevant academic knowledge and skills and 20% in an industry placement, putting these skills into action.
| T-LEVELS | SPECIFIC GCSE REQUIREMENTS |
|---|---|
| Health | Two grade 5s and three grade 4s including Maths, English language and Science |
| Digital | Two grade 5s and three grade 4s including Maths, English language and Science |
ADDITIONALS
Interested in gaining an extra qualification alongside your three main subjects? Core Maths is ideal for aspirational students wanting to strengthen key maths skills, while the EPQ is a great way to explore academic interests beyond A Levels - both with clear links to university and career success.
| Course | SPECIFIC GCSE REQUIREMENTS |
|---|---|
| Core Maths | At least a 5 in Maths |
| EPQ Extended Project Qualification | Average GCSE point score of 7 |
The Foundation Programme
The Foundation Programme is designed for students who have just missed out on the entry requirements for our level 3 programmes. This three year option enables them, in the first year, to gain further qualifications at level 2 and develop the skills required for future success before moving onto a two year level 3 programme.
Your study programme will be made up of the equivalent of four GCSEs including GCSE maths and/or GCSE English language as required.
SPECIFIC GCSE REQUIREMENTS - Four grade 3 GCSEs with a 3 in either maths or English and a 2 in the other
| BTEC LEVEL 2 | SINGLE | DOUBLE |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Science BTEC | ✅ | |
| Business BTEC | ✅ | |
| Creative Skills (media and art) BTEC | ✅ | |
| Health and Social Care BTEC | ✅ | |
| IT BTEC | ✅ | |
| Personal Growth and Wellbeing BTEC | ✅ | |
| Public Services BTEC | ✅ |
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