entry criteria
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 English |
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 6/5 in combined science and a 5 in maths |
Business Studies | At least a 4 in maths |
Chemistry | At least a 6/5 in combined science and a 5 in maths |
Computer Science | At least a 5 in maths |
Core Maths *2025 entry | At least a 5 in maths |
Photography | At least a 4 in art or design technology subject (if studied) or portfolio of work demonstrating appropriate creative skills |
Drama and Theatre Studies | At least a 5 in English language, and at least a grade 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 5/5 in combined science and a 4 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 or literature |
English Literature | At least a 5 in English literature |
Environmental Science | At least a 5/5 in combined science |
Film Studies | At least a 5 in an essay-based subject |
Fine Art | At least a 4 in art or design technology subject (if studied) or portfolio of work demonstrating appropriate creative skills |
French | At least a 5 in French (higher tier) |
Further Maths | At least a 7 in maths (must take A Level maths too) |
Geography | At least a 5 in geography (if studied) and English |
Graphic Design | At least a 4 in art or design technology subject (if studied) or portfolio of work demonstrating appropriate creative skills |
Law | At least a 5 in English |
Mathematics | At least a 6 in maths |
Media Studies | At least a 5 in an essay-based subject |
Modern History | At least a 5 in history (if studied) and English |
Music Technology | 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) or portfolio of work demonstrating appropriate creative skills |
Physical Education | At least a 4 in PE (if studied) and a 5 in science |
Physics | At least a 6/5 in combined science and a 6 in maths (strongly recommend pairing with A-Level Maths) |
Politics | At least a 5 in English |
Psychology | At least a 5 in maths, English language and science |
Religion, Ethics and Philosophy | At least a 5 in religious studies (if studied) and English |
Sociology | Standard entry requirements |
Spanish | At least a 5 in Spanish (higher tier) |
Statistics | At least a 5 in maths |
Textiles | At least a 4 in art or design technology subject (if studied) 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 | ✅ | ✅ | ||
Performing Arts (acting) 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 at GCSE including maths, English language and science |
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 |
---|---|---|
Business BTEC | ✅ | |
Creative Skills (media and art) BTEC | ✅ | |
Health and Social Care BTEC | ✅ | |
IT BTEC | ✅ | |
Personal Growth and Wellbeing BTEC | ✅ | |
Public Services BTEC | ✅ |