Please note, individual courses will have their own requirements so you should check the course profiles for each subject before making your choices.
| PATHWAY | ENTRY CRITERIA | ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS |
|---|---|---|
| A-Level | 555444 | GCSE Grade 4 English Language
GCSE Maths - see subject guidance |
| Vocational | 444444 | GCSE Grade 4 English Language recommended - see subject guidance
GCSE Maths - see subject guidance |
| Mixed (A-Level and Vocational) | 554444 | GCSE Grade 4 English Language GCSE Maths - see subject guidance |
| T-Level | 555444 | GCSE Grade 4 English Language
GCSE Maths - see subject guidance GCSE Science - see subject guidance |
| Foundation | 4333 | GCSE Grade 2s in English Language and/or Maths |
Up to two GCSE grades can be replaced with equivalent Level 2 Vocational qualification grades.
Specialisms
All Level 3, A-Level and Vocational programme students can study up to four A-Level equivalent courses. Students are able to select a ‘specialism’ as one of their four courses.
A T-Level is a full four-course equivalent programme so cannot be studied alongside other subjects/ courses.
For more details about the specialisms – including entry criteria – click here
Every student’s study programme will also include a weekly Personal Development Programme (tutorial) and enrichment activities.
Subject / Course Entry Requirements
The College reserves the right to adjust entry requirements in light of the development of government policy, grade thresholds, and local and national circumstances.
| COURSE | COURSE SIZE | PATHWAY | ENTRY CRITERIA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● GCSE 4 in Art or related subject |
| Fine Art | 2 | A-Level / Mixed | ● GCSE 4 in Art or related subject (or an agreed portfolio) |
| Art and Design - Creative Practices | 3 | Vocational / Mixed | ● GCSE 4 in Art or related subject (or an agreed portfolio) |
| Applied Science | 2 | Vocational / Mixed | ● Grade 4 in GCSE Science or a Merit (MM) in Level 2 Vocational Science
● Grade 4 in GCSE maths and English |
| Applied Human Biology | 1 | Vocational / Mixed | ● Grade 4 in GCSE Science or a Merit (MM) in Level 2 Vocational Science
● Grade 4 in GCSE Maths and English |
| Biology | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● Grade 6 in GCSE Science Trilogy (Higher Tier) or in GCSE Biology
● Grade 5 in GCSE Maths ● Grade 5 in English Language |
| Business | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● GCSE Grade 4 in Maths (Grade 5 preferred) |
| Business | 1 or 3 | Vocational / Mixed | ● GCSE Grade 4 in Maths |
| Chemistry | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● Grade 6 GCSE Science Trilogy (Higher Tier) or in GCSE Chemistry Grade 5 GCSE in Maths (Grade 6 advised)
● Grade 5 GCSE in English Language. |
| Classical Civilisation | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● General Entry Requirements Only |
| Computer Game Development | 3 | Vocational / Mixed | ● General Entry Requirements Only |
| Computer Science | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● Grade 6 in GCSE Maths |
| Criminology | 1 | Vocational / Mixed | ● General Entry Requirements Only |
| Dance | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● Audition
● Grade 4 in GCSE English Language |
| Dance | 1 | Vocational / Mixed | ● Audition
● Grade 4 in GCSE English Language |
| Drama | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● Audition
● Grade 4 in both GCSE English Language and English Literature |
| Early Years, Childcare and Education | 1 | Vocational / Mixed | ● GCSE 4 in English and Maths, DBS Clearance |
| Economics | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● GCSE Grade 5 in Maths and English Language |
| Education and Childcare | 4 | T-Level | ● GCSE 4 in English and Maths, DBS Clearance |
| Electronics | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● Grade 5 in GCSE Science Trilogy or in separate Sciences
● Grade 5 in GCSE Maths |
| Engineering | 1 | Vocational / Mixed | ● Grade 4 in GCSE Science Trilogy or in separate sciences, or a Merit in a relevant Level 2 vocational programme
● Grade 4 in GCSE English Language ● Grade 5 in GCSE Maths. |
| Engineering | 4 | T-Level | ● Grade 6 in GCSE Maths
● Grade 5 in GCSE Science / Physics ● Grade 5 in GCSE English Language |
| English Language | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● Grade 5 in GCSE English Language |
| English Language & Literature | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● Grade 4 in GCSE English Language ● Grade 4 in GCSE English Literature |
| English Literature | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● Grade 5 in GCSE English Literature
● Grade 4 in GCSE English Language |
| Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
5 pathways available: ● Dissertation ● Artefact ● Product Design ● Climate & Sustainability ● Cyber Security | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● Grade 4 in GCSE English Language |
| Film Studies | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● General Entry Requirements Only |
| French | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● Grade 5 in GCSE French
● Grade 5 in GCSE English Language |
| Geography | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● Grade 5 in GCSE Geography
● Grade 5 in GCSE Maths |
| Geology | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● Grade 5 in GCSE Science |
| German | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● Grade 5 in GCSE German
● Grade 5 in GCSE English Language |
| Graphic Design | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● Grade 4 in GCSE Art or related subject |
| Graphic Design & Photography | 3 | Vocational / Mixed | ● Grade 4 in GCSE Graphics or Art related subject |
| Health | 4 | T-Level | ● Grade 4 in GCSE English Language
● Grade 4 in GCSE Maths ● Grade 5 in GCSE Science |
| Health & Social Care | 1 or 2 | Vocational / Mixed | ● Grade 4 in GCSE Science |
| History (Modern or Early Modern) | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● General Entry Requirements Only |
| Journalism | 1 | Vocational / Mixed | ● Grade 5 in GCSE English Language
● Pre-enrolment assessment |
| Information Technology | 1 | Vocational / Mixed | ● Grade 4 in GCSE English Language
● Grade 4 in GCSE Maths |
| Digital, Production, Design and Development | 4 | T-Level | ● Grade 4 in GCSE English Language
● Grade 5 in GCSE Maths |
| Law | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● General Entry Requirements Only |
| Law | 1 | Vocational / Mixed | ● General Entry Requirements Only |
| Mathematics | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● Grade 7 in GCSE Maths |
| (Further) Mathematics | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● Grade 8 in GCSE Maths .
● Must be studied alongside AS Mathematics |
| Mathematical Studies (Core Maths) | 1 | Vocational / Mixed | ● Grade 4 in GCSE Maths |
| Media Studies | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● General Entry Requirements Only |
| Media Studies (Creative Media Production and Technology) | 3 | Vocational / Mixed | ● General Entry Requirements Only |
| Music | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● Performance Grade 5
● Theory Grade 5 ● Audition |
| Music Performance | 1 | Vocational / Mixed | ● Audition |
| Music Production | 1 | Vocational / Mixed | ● Audition |
| Music Performance and Music Production | 2 | Vocational / Mixed | ● Audition
● Pre-enrolment Questionnaire |
| Music Performance and Music Production Extended | 3 | Vocational / Mixed | ● Audition
● Pre-enrolment Questionnaire |
| Musical Theatre (Performing Arts) | 2 | Vocational / Mixed | ● Audition |
| Philosophy | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● Grade 6 in GCSE English Language |
| Photography | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● Grade 4 in Art or related subject or portfolio |
| Physical Education | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● Grade 5 in GCSE Science and/or Physical Education, or a Distinction in relevant Level 2 vocational course
● An active and current participant in sport; playing or coaching |
| Physics | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● Grade 6 in GCSE Science Trilogy (Higher Tier) or in GCSE Physics.
● Grade 6 in GCSE Maths ● Grade 5 in GCSE English Language ● AS Maths is strongly recommended and essential to progress to the full A-Level Physics |
| Politics | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● General Entry Requirements Only |
| Production Arts | 3 | Vocational / Mixed | ● Grade 4 in GCSE English Language |
| Psychology | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● Grade 5 in GCSE Maths |
| Protective Services | 2, 3 | Vocational / Mixed | ● General Entry Requirements Only |
| Religious Studies | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● Grade 4 in GCSE English Language |
| Sociology | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● General Entry Requirements Only |
| Spanish | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● Grade 5 in GCSE Spanish
● Grade 5 in GCSE English Language |
| Sport | 1 | Vocational / Mixed | ● Grade 5 in GCSE Science
● Grade 5 in GCSE English Language |
| Sport & Exercise Science | 3 | Vocational / Mixed | ● Grade 4 in GCSE Maths
● Grade 4 in GCSE English Language ● Grade 5 in GCSE Science |
| Sport - Football, Coaching & Development | 3 | Vocational / Mixed | ● Sports Trial
● Playing football on a regular / weekly basis ● Playing for College Academy / Club level |
| Sport - Coaching & Development | 3 | Vocational / Mixed | ● Grade 4 in GCSE Science
● An active participant in sports; playing, coaching or officiating |
| Textiles and Fashion | 1 | A-Level / Mixed | ● Grade 4 in GCSE Art or related subject or portfolio |
Foundation Year Programme and other Level 2 qualifications
| Course | Additional Notes |
|---|---|
| Level 2 Vocational Programmes - one of the following courses:
● Art and Design ● Business Studies and Travel ● Early Years/Health (T-Level transition) ● Media Studies ● Public Services ● Sport | The majority of students will combine with English or Maths (see below). However, some students (particularly those who have achieved a maths and English grade 4 but only have 4 x 4 GCSEs) may be able to build a broader and more challenging programme for example combining Health and GCSE Science. |
| GCSE English | GCSE Grade 3 in English. |
| English Core | GCSE Grade 2 in English or below. |
| English as an Additional Language (EAL) | Students whose first language is not English. |
| Functional Skills Maths | GCSE Grade 2 in Maths or below. |
| GCSE Maths | GCSE Grade 3 in Maths. |
| GCSE Maths Plus | GCSE Grade 4 in Maths. |
| GCSE Trilogy Science (this is one course) | GCSE Grade 3 in Science, 3 and above in double award Science. |
GCSE English and Maths
The government requires that students continue to study English and Maths if they do not achieve a grade 4 in GCSE Maths and English Language or Literature. At Priestley, students who do not achieve a grade 4 in English Language must also keep working towards it as it’s an important qualification for many employers, apprenticeship providers, and universities.
For more information about entry requirements email: admissions@priestley.ac.uk