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':
The minimum entry requirements for the Sixth Form are English and Maths GCSE at Grade 5 and the minimum average GCSE point score is 5.0 across 8 GCSEs (Several A levels require a GCSE Average score of 5.5 or 5.75).
In addition to our standard entry requirements, we may also seek a reference before enrolment, and we may require candidates to sit an entry assessment. References and entry assessments would typically be required by: candidates with overseas qualifications (including iGCSEs); candidates who are not progressing directly from GCSEs; and/or candidates who have previously been enrolled for A levels/Level 3 qualifications at this or other institutions.
Individual subject entry requiremenst can be found in the table below.
SUBJECT |
POINT SCORE |
Minimum GCSE Requirements |
| Architecture A Level | 5.0 | GCSE English Language, Maths and Art at grade 5 and a demonstratable enthusiasm for drawing |
| Biology A Level | 6.0 | GCSE English Language at grade 5, Maths and Double Science or Biology at grade 6 |
| Business A Level | 5.75 | GCSE English Language and Maths at grade 6 |
| Business (Applied) | 5.0 | GCSE English Language and Maths at grade 5 |
| Chemistry A Level | 6.0 | GCSE English Language at grade 5, Maths and Double Science or Chemistry at grade 6 |
| Computer Science A Level | 5.5 | GCSE English Language and Maths at grade 6 (if no IT GCSE students need to show demonstratable ability in IT) |
| Criminology (Applied) | 5.0 | GCSE English Language grade 5 |
| Economics A Level | 5.75 | GCSE English Language and Maths at grade 6 |
| English Language and Literature A Level | 6 | GCSE English Language and English Literature grade 5 |
| English Literature A Level | 6 | GCSE English Language and English Literature at grade 5 |
| Film Studies A Level | 5.5 | GCSE English Language at grade 5 |
| Fine Art A Level | 5.0 | English Language and Art at grade 5 and a strong portfolio |
| Government and Politics A Level | 5.5 | GCSE English Language at grade 6 |
| Graphics and Illustration A Level | 5.0 | GCSE English Language and Art at grade 5 and a strong portfolio |
| History: Modern European A Level | 5.5 | GCSE History or English Language/Literature at grade 6 |
| Law A Level | 5.75 | GCSE English Language at grade 6 |
| Law (Applied) | 5.0 | GCSE English Language and Maths at grade 5 |
| Mathematics A Level | 6.0 | GCSE English Language at grade 5 and Maths at grade 7 |
| Media Studies A Level | 5.5 | GCSE English Language at grade 5 |
| Music Technology A Level | 5.0 | GCSE English Language and Maths at grade 5 |
| Philosophy, Ethics and Religion A Level | 5.5 | GCSE English Language at grade 6 and Maths at grade 5 |
| Physics A Level | 6.0 | GCSE English Language at grade 5 and Double Science or Physics at grade 6 |
|
Psychology A Level |
5.75 | GCSE English Language, Maths and Science at grade 6 |
| Psychology (Applied) | 5.0 | GCSE English Language and Maths at grade 5 |
| Sociology A Level | 5.5 | GCSE English Language at grade 6 and Maths at grade 4 |
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/9-4 or Distinction/Merit/A*-C/9-4 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.
For students with numerical grades, points are calculated as follows:
|
Current grading structure |
Points (for RuTC A Level calculation purposes) |
| 9 | 9 |
| 8 | 8 |
| 7 | 7 |
| 6 | 6 |
| 5 | 5 |
| 4 | 4 |
| 3 | 3 |
| 2 | 2 |
| 1 | 1 |
|
1 x technical qualification (equivalent to 2 x GCSEs) = 10 points |
|
For students with lettered grades, points are calculated as follows:
| Old grading structure |
Points (for RuTC A Level calculation purposes) |
| A* | 8 |
| A | 7 |
| B | 6 |
| C | 5 |
| D | 4 |
| E | 3 |
| F | 2 |
| G | 1 |
| 1 x technical qualification (equivalent to 2 x GCSEs) = 10 points | |
Please see below how new and old grading systems translate:
