Entry Requirements
Our basic entry requirements for all Level 3 courses is a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English Language.
This table outlines any additional entry requirements for each of our courses.
A Level Courses (Level 3)
| Subject | English Language GCSE | Mathematics GCSE | Other GCSE Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture / 3D Design | Grade 4 | Grade 4 or above in Art & Design subject preferred if taken at GCSE | Higher grades in GCSE Art preferred. If Art not taken at GCSE, portfolio evidence is required | |
| Biology | Grade 4 | Grade 5 | Minimum grade 6 in Biology and one other GCSE Science subject, or 6's in Double Science | Higher grades in Sciences preferred |
| Business Studies | Grade 5 | Grade 5 | No previous experience of this subject is required | |
| Chemistry | Grade 4 | Grade 6 | Minimum grade 6 in Chemistry and one other GCSE science subject or 6's in Double Science | Higher grades in Science preferred |
| Classical Civilisation | Grade 4 | No previous experience of this subject is required | ||
| Computer Science | Grade 4 | Grade 5 | Grade 5 in Computer Science if taken | |
| Digital Art & Design | Grade 4 | Grade 4 or above in Art & Design subject preferred if taken at GCSE | No previous experience of this subject is required | |
| Drama & Theatre Studies | Grade 4 | Grade 4 or above in Drama if taken at GCSE or Merit in a Performing Arts Level 2 vocational course | Students must have previous experience of Drama if not taken at GCSE | |
| Economics | Grade 5 | Grade 5 | No previous experience of this subject required | |
| English Language | Grade 5 | |||
| English Language & Literature | Grade 5 | Grade 5 or above in English Literature | GCSEs in English Language and Literature preferred | |
| English Literature | Grade 5 | Grade 6 or above in English Literature | GCSEs in English Language and Literature preferred | |
| Film Studies | Grade 4 | No previous experience of this subject is required | ||
| Fine Art & Design | Grade 4 | Grade 5 or above in Art if taken at GCSE | Higher grades in GCSE Art preferred. Evidence of confident drawing ability shown through a portfolio will be required at interview for all candidates | |
| French | Grade 5 | Grade 6 or above if taken at GCSE | Higher grades in French preferred | |
| Geography | Grade 5 | Grade 4 | Grade 4 or above in Geography if taken at GCSE | It is not necessary to have studied GCSE Geography |
| German | Grade 5 | Grade 6 or above in GCSE German | ||
| Graphic Communication | Grade 4 | Grade 4 or above in Art & Design subject preferred if taken at GCSE | ||
| History | Grade 5 | Grade 4 or above in History if taken at GCSE | It is not necessary to have studied GCSE History | |
| Law | Grade 5 | No previous experience of this subject is required | ||
| Mathematics (Further) | Grade 4 | Grade 7 | Higher grades preferred in GCSE Mathematics. You must also enrol on A Level Mathematics | |
| Mathematics (Pure) | Grade 4 | Grade 6 | ||
| Media Studies | Grade 4 | No previous experience of this subject is required | ||
| Philosophy, Religion & Ethics | Grade 4 | No previous experience of this subject is required | ||
| Photography | Grade 4 | Grade 4 or above in Art & Design subject preferred if taken at GCSE | No previous experience of this subject is required | |
| Physics | Grade 4 | Grade 6 | Minimum grade 6 in Physics and one other GCSE Science subject or a 6 in Double Science | Students taking Physics are also required to take A Level Mathematics |
| Politics | Grade 4 | No previous experience of this subject is required | ||
| Psychology | Grade 4 | Grade 5 | Grade 4 GCSE in Science | No previous experience of this subject is required |
| Sociology | Grade 4 | No previous experience of this subject is required | ||
| Spanish | Grade 5 | Grade 6 in Spanish if taken at GCSE | ||
| Statistics | Grade 4 | Grade 6 |
Vocational Courses (Level 3)
| Subject | English GCSE | Mathematics GCSE | Other GCSE Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Law | Grade 4 | |||
| Applied Psychology | Grade 4 | |||
| Art & Design | Grade 4 | Grade 4 in Art based subject (if taken) or portfolio evidence required | ||
| Business | Grade 4 | Grade 4 | ||
| Core Mathematics | Grade 4 | Grade 4 | Prefer a Grade 5 in Mathematics | |
| Criminology | Grade 4 | |||
| Digital Media (Games Development) | Grade 4 | |||
| Dance | Grade 4 | Grade 4 or above in Dance (if taken) or Level 2 Vocational Performance qualification Merit or above | Students must have previous experience of Dance if not taken at GCSE | |
| Digital Media | Grade 4 | |||
| Digital Media Journalism | Grade 4 | |||
| Elite Football | Grade 4 | Grade 5 in Physical Education preferred | Experience of playing club level preferred | |
| Esports | Grade 4 | Students enrolling on this course should have an active interest in gaming and have some experience of online gaming in particular | ||
| Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) | Grade 4 | This is usually completed in the second year | ||
| Foundation Journalism | Grade 4 | |||
| Health & Social Care | Grade 4 | This course includes a large amount of Science theory within the teaching and you will be taking an exam linked to the human body | ||
| IT | Grade 4 | |||
| Medical Science | Grade 4 | Grade 4 | Grade 4 or above in GCSE Science | |
| Music Performance | Grade 4 | Grade 4 or above in Music or level 2 Vocational Music qualification Merit or above | Students must play an instrument (inc voice) and successfully audition for a place on the course | |
| Music Technology | Grade 4 | Grade 4 or above in Music preferred or level 2 Vocational Music qualification Merit or above | ||
| Performing Arts | Grade 4 | Grade 4 or above in performance subject at GCSE Level 2 Vocational Performance qualification Merit or above | Students must have previous experience of either acting, singing or dance if not taken at GCSE | |
| Personal Training | Grade 4 | Students need to have completed the Instructing Exercise & Fitness Level 2 course before progressing on to this qualification | ||
| Sport Coaching & Development | Grade 4 | Please see the detailed course description before choosing your preferred Sport course | ||
| Uniformed Public Services | Grade 4 | Aspects of the course are physically demanding |
Level 2 (and below) Courses
| Subject | English GCSE | Mathematics GCSE | Other GCSE Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language GCSE | Grade 3 or below required | |||
| Mathematics GCSE | Grade 3 required | |||
| Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics | Grade 2 required | |||
| Functional Skills Level 1 Mathematics | Grade 1/U required | |||
| English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) | Not required | Not required |
The following Level 2 vocational courses require only the general entry requirement of 5 GCSEs at Grade 3 or above, including English Language
| Subject | English Language GCSE | Mathematics GCSE | Other GCSE Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business | Grade 3 | |||
| Health & Social Care | Grade 3 | |||
| ICT & Games Development | Grade 3 | |||
| Instructing Exercise & Fitness | Grade 3 | Aspects of this course are physically demanding | ||
| Public Services | Grade 3 | Aspects of this course are physically demanding | ||
| Sport | Grade 3 | Aspects of this course are physically demanding |