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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) | Five Grade 4s at GCSE, including a grade 4 in GCSE English |
| Excellence Programme | An average of grade 7 at GCSE |
| T Level Programme (Level 3) | Five Grade 4s at GCSE, including both GCSE Maths AND English |
| 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 Grade 3 in English |
A Level Courses
We require at least five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including a grade 4 in GCSE English. 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 | Standard entry criteria |
| 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 Maths |
| 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 |
| Core Maths | At least a 5 in maths |
| 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 |
| 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 | Grade 5 in English Language OR English Literature AND a grade 4 in the other |
| 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 4 in Geography (if studied) |
| 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 | Standard entry requirements |
| Mathematics | At least a 6 in Maths |
| Media Studies | Standard entry requirements |
| Modern History | At least a 4 in History (if studied at school) |
| 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 |
| Physics | At least a 6 in Physics or 5/6 in combined science and a 6 in Maths |
| Politics | Standard entry requirements |
| Psychology | At least a 4 in Maths and 4/4 Combined Science or a 4 in psychology (if studied) |
| Religion, Ethics and Philosophy | At least a 4 in Religious Studies (if studied at school) |
| 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 a grade 4 in GCSE English 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 - Medical Science BTEC | At least a 4/4 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 | ✅ | |||
| Dance BTEC | At least a grade 4 in English. At least 2 years of dance training in any style | ✅ | ✅ | ||
| Education and Early Years V-LEVEL | Standard entry requirements | ✅ | |||
| Engineering CTEC | At least a 4/4 in Combined Science, or 4 in Physics & another science (if taken as singles) and 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 | ✅ | |||
| Health and Social Care BTEC | At least a 4 in Science. Completion of a DBS check. | ✅ | ✅ | ||
| Information Technology BTEC | Standard entry requirements | ✅ | |||
| Music Performance BTEC | At least ABRSM (or equivalent) grade 4 in music (instrumental/vocal) or audition | ✅ | ✅ | ||
| Music Production BTEC | Standard entry requirements | ✅ | ✅ | ||
| Musical Theatre BTEC | At least 2 years recent practical experience in performance | ✅ | ✅ | ||
| Sport and Exercise Sciences BTEC | At least a 4/4 in combined science or 4 in biology | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | |
| 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 (Adult Nursing) | At least a grade 4 in Maths, English 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 4 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 English
| BTEC LEVEL 2 | SINGLE | DOUBLE |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Science BTEC | ✅ | |
| Business BTEC | ✅ | |
| Digital Systems and Data FOUNDATION CERTIFICATE | ✅ | |
| Creative Skills (media and art) BTEC | ✅ | |
| Health and Social Care BTEC | ✅ | |
| Personal Growth and Wellbeing BTEC | ✅ | |
| Public Services BTEC | ✅ |
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