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Entry Requirements

College and Subject Entry Requirements for 2024

The following list provides a guide to entry criteria for each subject at the college and is used when working with students to provide a suitable programme of study. The entry criteria is designed around a student’s most likely chance of success as we want to avoid enrolling students on unsuitable courses. All students will have an advice and guidance interview as part of their enrolment process where a suitable programme will be agreed. All of the following courses are subject to demand.

Entry requirements for A levels

Six GCSEs at grade 4 (must include both English Language and Maths) and the additional subject entry requirements
as follows:

Subject Entry requirements in addition to those above Additional details/Further guidance
3D Design
Accounting GCSE grade 5 in Maths and English Language
Art Craft and Design GCSE grade 4 an Art and Design subject
Biology GCSE grade 6 in Maths and Sciences and grade 5 in English Language
Business GCSE grade 5 in English Language
Chemistry GCSE grade 6 in Maths and Sciences and grade 5 in English Language
Computer Science GCSE grade 5 in Maths and a Science subject Science could be Computer Science
Drama and Theatre
Economics GCSE grade 6 in Maths and grade 5 in English Language
English (All) GCSE grade 4 in English Language and English Literature
Environmental Science GCSE grade 5 in Science and English Language
Film Studies GCSE grade 5 in English Literature
French GCSE grade 6 in French
Geography GCSE grade 5 in Maths, English Language and Science
Geology GCSE grade 5 in Maths, English Language and Science
German GCSE grade 6 in German
Graphic Design
History GCSE grade 5 in English Language or History
Law GCSE grade 5 in English or History
Maths (including Further Maths) GCSE grade 7 in Maths
Media Studies
Music GCSE grade 5 in Music or grade 5 instrument/voice or theory
Music Technology GCSE grade 4 in Music or equivalent L2 Merit BTEC Music, grade 4 instrument/voice/theory, portfolio of production work
PE GCSE grade 5 in English Language and grade 6-5 in Combined Science or grade 6 in Biology Must play club level in one sport.
Photography
Physics GCSE grade 6 in Maths and Sciences and grade 5 in English Language
Politics GCSE grade 5 in English Language
Psychology GCSE grade 6 in English Language and grade 5 in Maths and Science
Sociology GCSE grade 5 in English or History
Spanish GCSE grade 6 in Spanish
Statistics GCSE grade 5 in Maths and English
Textiles
Theology (Philosophy, Ethics and
Religion)		 GCSE grade 5 in English or History

Entry requirements for Vocational qualifications

Five GCSEs at grade 4 (to include English Language) and the additional subject entry requirements as follows:

Subject Entry requirements in addition to those above Additional details/Further guidance
Performing Arts (Acting) BTEC Extended Certificate Controlled assessment
Applied Business General Extended Certificate AQA Grade 4 in Maths Coursework and examined unit each year
Criminology Diploma WJEC Grade 4 in Maths and 4-4 in Combined Science or 4 in all sciences Controlled assessment and examined unit each year
Performance BTEC Extended Certificate 2 year experience of any style dance (not graded) Controlled Assessment
Health and Social Care BTEC Extended Certificate Coursework and examined unit each year
IT BTEC Extended Certificate Grade 4 in Maths Coursework and examined unit each year
Applied Law BTEC Extended Certificate Coursework and examined unit each year
Creative Media Practice BTEC Diploma Coursework – 1.5 course equivalent
Music BTEC Subsidiary Diploma Coursework
Uniformed Protective Services BTEC Extended Certificate Coursework and 1 examined unit in L6
Applied Science BTEC Extended Certificate Grade 4 in Maths and 4-4 in Combined Science or 4 in all sciences Coursework and examined unit each year
Sport and Physical Activity CTEC Extended Certificate (single) 4-4 in Combined Science or 4 in Biology Coursework and examined unit each year
Diploma in Sport CTEC (Double) Coursework

Level 2 qualifications

Students who have not achieved GCSE grade 4 in English Language and/or Maths must be enrolled onto either of those courses.

Subject Entry requirements in addition to those above Additional details/Further guidance
Business CTEC Extended Certificate No requirements
English Language GCSE No requirements
Japanese GCSE No requirements 2 year course
Maths GCSE No requirements

Further information about subject combinations

You Must Do:

  • A level Maths to study Further Maths

You Can Do:

  • A level Maths with A level Statistics
  • Biology/Chemistry/Physics with BTEC Applied Science
  • Computer Science with BTEC IT
  • Media with BTEC Media
  • English Literature with English Language

You Can’t Do:

  • A level Business with Applied Business
  • A level Law with BTEC Law
  • English Language and Literature with either English Language or English Literature
  • BTEC Performance with BTEC Performing Arts (Acting)