General Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements for Sixth Form to study 3 A-Level/BTEC courses are a minimum of 5 GCSEs including 3 at Grade 5 and 2 at Grade 4 or better.

Entry Requirements for Sixth Form to study 4 A-Level/BTEC courses are a minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade 7 or better.

Those students who have achieved between 5 GCSE Grades at 4 and the Standard Entry Requirement should talk to the Academy about individualised programmes of study based on a reduced list of options.

Specific Entry Requirements for Subjects

A-Level

  • Art and Design - It is desirable to have 5 at GCSE.
  • Biology - It is desirable to have Grade 7 in GCSE Biology and one other GCSE science and Grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics or Grade 7-7 in Science (Trilogy) and Grade 7 at GCSE Mathematics. It is essential to have Grade 6 in GCSE Biology and one other GCSE science and Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics or Grade 6-6 in Science (Trilogy) and Grade 6 at GCSE Mathematics.
  • Business Studies - English Language GCSE Grade 6 and Mathematics GCSE Grade 5.
  • Chemistry - It is desirable to have Grade 7 in GCSE Chemistry and Grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics or Grade 7-7 in  Science (Trilogy) and Grade 7 at GCSE Mathematics. It is essential to have Grade 6 in GCSE Chemistry and Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics or Grade 6-6 in Science (Trilogy) and Grade 6 at GCSE Mathematics.
  • Computer Science - Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics.
  • Economics - Grade 6 in GCSE English Language and Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics.
  • English Language - Grade 6 in GCSE English Language.
  • English Literature - Grade 6 in both GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature.
  • French - Grade 6 in GCSE French.
  • Geography - Grade 6 in GCSE Geography and a grade 5 in both English and Mathematics.
  • History - Grade 6 in GCSE History and GCSE English Language.
  • Mathematics - Grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics is desirable and grade 6 is essential.
  • Further Mathematics - Grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics.
  • Media Studies - Grade 6 in GCSE English Language.
  • Music - Grade 6 in GCSE Music or a BTEC Music at Level 2 Distinction and ABRSM Practical Exam Grade 5 and play a musical instrument.
  • Philosophy and Theology - GCSE Grade 6 in Religious Education, Grade 5 in GCSE English Language.
  • Photography - No formal requirements.
  • Physics - Desirable: Grade 7 in GCSE Physics and Grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics or Grade 7-7 in  Science (Trilogy) and Grade 7 at GCSE Mathematics. Essential: Grade 6 in GCSE Physics and Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics or Grade 6-6 in Science (Trilogy) and Grade 6 at GCSE Mathematics.
  • Politics - Grade 6 in GCSE English Language.
  • Psychology - Grade 6 in GCSE English Language, Grade 5 in GCSE Mathematics and Grade 5 in any GCSE Science.
  • Sociology - Grade 6 in GCSE English Language.
  • Spanish - Grade 6 in GCSE Spanish.
  • Textiles Design - Grade 5 in GCSE Textiles.
  • Three Dimensional Design - Grade 5 in GCSE Product Design.

Other Level 3 Courses

  • BTEC National Extended Certificate in Business Studies - Minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above preferably including GCSE Mathematics, GCSE English Language.
  • AAQ / BTEC National in Health and Social Care (Extended Certificate) - Minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade 4  including English Language.
  • BTEC National Extended Certificate in Applied Science - Minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 preferably including English Language and Grade 5 at GCSE Mathematics. Two Grade 5’s from GCSE Physics/GCSE Biology/GCSE Chemistry and Grade 5 at GCSE Mathematics or Grade 5-5 in Science (Trilogy).
  • BTEC National Extended Certificate in PE & Sport - Minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 preferably including English Language, Mathematics with a grade 5 in GCSE Biology or GCSE Science with evidence of commitment to school/club level sport. It is recommended that you have successfully studied GCSE or BTEC PE or equivalent in Key Stage 4.
  • BTEC National Extended Certificate in Applied Law - Minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 including English Language, Mathematics at a grade 4.

GCSE

  • English - All students who have not achieved a Grade 4 at GCSE English must follow this course.
  • Mathematics - All students who have not achieved a Grade 4 at GCSE Mathematics must follow this course.