Entry Requirements
Below are the general minimum entry requirements, as a guideline. Some courses require GCSEs in specific subjects and grades and many courses require English/Maths at specific grades. For exact entry requires, please see individual courses.
Entry requirements for A Level subjects (Level 3) including A Level equivalent subjects, referred to as 'applied':
SUBJECT |
POINT SCORE |
Minimum GCSE Requirements |
| Architecture A Level | 5.0 | GCSE English, Maths and Art at grade 5 |
| Biology A Level | 5.5 | GCSE English at grade 5 and Biology at grade 6 or Double Science |
| Business A Level | 5.75 | GCSE English and Maths at grade 6 |
| Business (Applied) | 5.0 | GCSE English and Maths at grade 5 |
| Chemistry A Level | 5.5 | GCSE English at grade 5 and Chemistry at grade 6 or Double Science |
| Computer Science A Level | 5.5 | GCSE English and Maths at grade 6 |
| Criminology (Applied) | 5.0 | GCSE English and Maths at grade 5 |
| Drama and Theatre Studies A Level | 5.0 | GCSE English and Drama at grade 5 (provided your school offered GCSE Drama) |
| Economics A Level | 5.75 | GCSE English and Maths at grade 6 |
| English Literature A Level | 5.5 | GCSE English and English Literature at grade 5 |
| Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (Appplied) | 5 | GCSE English and Maths at grade 5 |
| Film Studies A Level | 5.5 | GCSE English at grade 5 |
| Fine Art A Level | 5.0 | GCSE English and Art at grade 5 plus a strong portfolio |
| Government and Politics A Level | 5.5 | GCSE English at grade 6 |
| Graphics and Illustration A Level | 5.0 | GCSE English and an Art and Design subject at grade 5 plus a strong portfolio |
| History: Modern European A Level | 5.5 | GCSE English and History at grade 6 |
| Law A Level | 5.75 | GCSE English at grade 6 |
| Law (Applied) | 5.0 | GCSE English and Maths at grade 5 |
| Mathematics A Level | 5.75 | GCSE Maths at grade 7 and English at grade 5 |
| Media Studies A Level | 5.5 | GCSE English at grade 5 |
| Philosophy, Ethics and Religion A Level | 5.5 | GCSE English at grade 6 and Maths at grade 5 |
| Photography A Level | 5.0 | GCSE English and Art at grade 5 and a proven interest in photography |
| Physics A Level | 5.5 | GCSE English at grade 5 and Physics at grade 6 or Double Science |
| Professional Construction Practice (Applied) | 5 | GCSE English and Maths at grade 5 |
|
Psychology A Level |
5.75 | GCSE English at grade 5 and Maths at grade 6. Science at grade 6 is also preferred |
| Psychology (Applied) | 5.0 | GCSE English and Maths at grade 5 |
| Public Services (Applied) | 5.0 | GCSE English and Maths at grade 5 |
| Science (Applied) | 5.0 |
GCSE English and Maths at grade 5 |
| Sociology A Level | 5.5 | GCSE English at grade 6 |
How many A Levels can I study?
A Levels must be studied as part of a full-time programme consisting of three to four A Level subjects:
LEVEL |
Subject |
POINT SCORE |
What this might lead to |
| Level 3 | 4 A Levels | An average point score of 6.5 or above - depends on subject with specific GCSE requirements. | Higher Education OR Employment |
| Level 3 | 3 A Levels | An average point score of 5 to 6.5 - depends on subject with specific GCSE requirements. | Higher Education OR Employment |
Entry requirements for vocational/technical qualifications:
LEVEL |
Subject |
POINT SCORE |
What this might lead to |
| Level 3 | Subsidiary Diplomas/90 Credit Diplomas/Diplomas/Extended Diplomas (BTEC/ CACHE/C&G/ NVQ/OCR/UAL Qualifications) |
5 GCSEs at grade A*-C/9-5 or Distinction/Merit/A*-C/9-5 on a Level 2 Diploma with specific GCSE requirements. See individual courses page. |
Higher Education OR Employment |
| Level 2 | Certificates/Diplomas (BTEC/CACHE/C&G/NVQ/OCR/UAL Qualifications) | 4 GCSEs at grade D/3 or a Level 1 Diploma at Pass with GCSE English and Maths at grade 3. See individual courses page. | Level 3 BTEC / CACHE / C&G / UAL course OR Employment |
| Level 1 | BTEC / CACHE / UAL qualifications | 4 GCSEs as grade E-F/2-1 including English and Maths at grade 2. See individual courses page. | Level 2 course |
| Entry level 1,2,3 | Various courses | Successful interview | Dependent on progress |
Average points score
The average point score for entry on to an A Level programme will be calculated from your best 8 GCSEs OR your best 6 GCSEs and a maximum of 1 vocational qualification.
Each GCSE grade is allocated points. Points are totalled and divided by the relevant number of GCSEs - this gives your average point score.
Points are calculated as follows:
|
Current grading structure |
Points (for RuTC A Level calculation purposes) |
Old grading structure |
Points (for RuTC A Level calculaton purposes) |
| 9 | 9 | ||
| 8 | 8 | A* | 8 |
| 7 | 7 | A | 7 |
| 6 | 6 | B | 6 |
| 5 | 5 | C | 5 |
| 4 | 4 | D | 4 |
| 3 | 3 | E | 3 |
| 2 | 2 | F | 2 |
| 1 | 1 | G | 1 |
|
1 x technical qualification (equivalent to 2 x GCSEs) = 10 points |
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