Entry Requirements – specific 202021
A level
For our A Level programme, we require at least two GCSEs at grade 5 and three GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and maths. The pass grades need to be in academic GCSEs and relate to your chosen A level courses. You must also meet the specific requirements for the individual courses you want to take.
| Ancient History | Grade 5 in GCSE English language is preferred but a grade 4 will be considered (you do not need to have studied history before). |
| Art: Graphic Design | If you do not have GCSE Art, it is advisable to have attended taster sessions and open events. |
| Art: Fine Art | If you do not have GCSE Art, it is advisable to have attended taster sessions and open events. |
| Art: Photography | If you do not have GCSE Art, it is advisable to have attended taster sessions and open events. |
| Art: Textiles | If you do not have GCSE Art, it is advisable to have attended taster sessions and open events. |
| Art, Craft and Design | If you do not have GCSE Art, it is advisable to have attended taster sessions and open events. |
| Biology | Grade 6 and 5 from GCSE Combined Science (higher tier), or grade 6 in GCSE Biology plus a grade 5 in GCSE Maths. |
| Business Studies | Grade 4 in GCSE English and maths. Grade 4 or BTEC Pass in business (if studied at school) |
| Chemistry | Grade 5 in GCSE maths plus grade 6 and 5 from GCSE Combined Science (higher tier), or grade 6 in GCSE Chemistry. We strongly advise you to take another science or maths with A level Chemistry. |
| Computer Science | Grade 5 in GCSE in Maths and grade 4 in GCSE English Language. An interest in programming.
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| Drama and Theatre Studies | Grade 4 in GCSE drama if taken, if not, suitable up-to-date experience in performing publicly or for exams will be considered. Grade 5 in GCSE English Language preferred. |
| Economics | GCSE maths and GCSE English language or literature at grade 5. 4’s will be considered with a profile of 5’s in essay based subjects. |
| Electronics | Grade 5 in GCSE Maths plus grades 6 and 5 from GCSE Combined Science (higher tier), or grade 6 in GCSE Physics. No prior electronics experience is required. |
| English Language | Grade 5 in GCSE English Language is preferred but a student with a grade 4 who has a genuine enthusiasm for the subject will be considered. |
| English Literature | Grade 5 in GCSE English Literature is preferred but a student with a grade 4 who has a genuine enthusiasm for the subject will be considered. |
| English Language and Literature | Grade 5 in GCSE English Literature and/or language is preferred but a student with a grade 4 with genuine enthusiasm for the subject will be considered. |
| Film Studies | Grade 4 in GCSE English Language or Literature. Students will be required to view 18 certificate material. |
| French | Grade 5 in GCSE French is preferred. |
| Further Mathematics | Grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics. You must also take A level Maths as one of your other courses. |
| Geography | Grade 5 (ideally higher tier) in GCSE Geography and grade 5 in GCSE English Language is preferred but a grade 4 in either/both will be considered. |
| Mathematics | Grade 6 in GCSE Maths. |
| Media Studies | Grade 4 in GCSE English Language or Literature. Students will be required to view 18 certificate material. |
| Modern History | Grade 5 in GCSE History (if studied at school) and grade 5 in GCSE English Language is preferred but a grade 4 in either/both will be considered |
| Music | Must have practical ability on your first-study instrument (or voice) at grade 5 ABRSM standard or above (no need to have taken the exam). Students must also have passed (or be working towards) ABRSM grade 5 theory. |
| Music Technology | Any prior experience of using production software will help students become familiar with recording features, edit screens and plugins. Applications including Cubase, Logic Pro, FL Studio to name a few offer free or trial versions of their software for users to experience, many of which are available for PC, MAC and tablets. |
| Law | Grade 5 in GCSE English Language is preferred but a grade 4 will be considered. A grade 5 in another essay-based subject is also preferred e.g. English Literature or History. |
| Physical Education | Grade 4 in GCSE PE (if studied at school). A grade 5 in GCSE Science |
| Physics | Grade 6 in GCSE Maths preferred; a grade 5 may be considered. Grade 6 and 5 from GCSE Combined Science (higher tier), or grade 6 in GCSE Physics (if studied at school). It is highly recommended that you take A Level Maths alongside A Level Physics. |
| Psychology | Grade 5 in GCSE Science (in particular Biology) and grade 5 in GCSE maths required. Grade 5 in English Language is preferred. |
| Religion, Ethics and Philosophy | Grade 5 in GCSE Religious Studies (if studied at school) and grade 5 in GCSE English Language is preferred but a grade 4 in either/both will be considered |
| Sociology | Grade 5 in GCSE English Language is preferred. |
| Spanish | Grade 5 in GCSE Spanish is preferred. |
| Statistics | Grade 5 in GCSE Maths. |
Vocational Level 3 Courses
Vocational level 3 courses are advanced 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.
| Cambridge Technical Applied Science | Grade 4 in GCSE Maths and grade 5 in a GCSE science subject. |
| BTEC Art and Design | If you have not taken an art and design subject at school, you will need a portfolio showing desire and commitment to art and design. |
| BTEC Business | Standard vocational programme entry requirements |
| Applied Diploma in Criminology | Grade 4 in GCSE English Language. |
| Cambridge Technical Engineering | Grade 5 (higher tier) in GCSE Maths and a grade 5 and 4 in GCSE Combined Science (or BTEC Level 2 PP). |
| BTEC Fashion Design, Promotion & Marketing | Ideally you will have a grade 4 in any GCSE art or textiles subject. If not then you’ll need creative flair, enthusiasm and willingness to learn. |
| LIBF Financial Studies | If you have taken a GCSE/BTEC business course at school, then a grade 4 (C) or BTEC pass is required. |
| BTEC Film and Television Production | Grade 4 in GCSE English Language is preferred. |
| BTEC Health & Social Care | A grade 4 in GCSE Science. Some nursing/midwifery courses at university may require grade 5 or above in GCSE Maths, English Language and/or Science. Completion of DBS check. |
| BTEC IT | Standard vocational programme entry requirements |
| BTEC Music | Must demonstrate instrumental/vocal skills at ABRSM Grade 4 or equivalent standard. All students will take part in a practical audition to demonstrate musical performance skills. |
| BTEC Level 3 Performing Arts | At least two years’ recent significant performance experience |
| BTEC Performing Arts: Dance | A minimum of two years’ dance experience. |
| BTEC Performing Arts: Musical Theatre | At least two years’ recent significant performance experience. |
| BTEC Sport | Standard vocational programme entry requirements |
| BTEC Sport and Exercise Science | Two grade 4s in GCSE combined science or grade 4 in GCSE Biology. |
| BTEC Travel and Tourism | Standard vocational programme entry requirements |
| BTEC Uniformed Protective Services | Standard vocational programme entry requirements |
If you are receiving (or have already received) a GCSE qualification graded on the A*-G system which is being phased out, please refer to the table below to see how your grade relates to the new 1 – 9 number system. We will be able to confirm at enrolment how any letter grades relate to our entry requirements in the context of your GCSE (or other level 2) grades as a whole. Please contact the Admissions Team at enquiries@blackpoolsixth.ac.uk if you have any concerns about this or any other matter related to our entry requirements.