Course Options Explained

These courses are the step after GCSEs. Students typically choose between taking three A levels or a Level 3 Extended Diploma; both routes give the same number of UCAS points and allow students to proceed to university, Level 4 Apprenticeships or work.

A levels

• Full-time 2 year course
• 3 A levels typically taken
• 4 A levels can be taken in some circumstances
• Entry requirements: To qualify to study 3 A levels, students must achieve 6 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, preferably including English Language and Maths. To qualify to study 4 A levels, students must achieve 7 GCSEs at Grade 6 or above including 4 GCSEs at Grades 9-7. Students who are fluent in a second language may be eligible to take the language as a fourth A level. Each subject has its own additional entry requirements. View entry requirements here.
• After completing the 2 year course, students typically progress to university, Level 4 Apprenticeship or work.

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma

• Full-time 2 year course
• 1 BTEC Extended Diploma is taken on its own. An Extended Diploma is equivalent to taking 3 A level subjects, so is not usually taken with any additional A level courses.
• Entry requirements: To qualify to study a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma, students must achieve 6 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above including English Language or a BTEC Level 2 Extended Certificate at Merit or above. Each subject has its own additional entry requirements. View entry requirements here.
• After completing the 2 year course, students typically progress to university, Level 4 Apprenticeship or work.

UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma

• Full-time 2 year course
• 1 UAL Extended Diploma is taken on its own. An Extended Diploma is equivalent to taking 3 A level subjects, so is not usually taken with any additional A level courses.
• Entry requirements: To qualify to study a UAL Extended Diploma, students must achieve 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above including English Language or a BTEC Level 2 Extended Certificate at Merit or above. Each subject has its own additional entry requirements. View entry requirements here.
• After completing the 2 year course, students typically progress to university, Level 4 Apprenticeship or work.

For students who need to retake their Maths and English GCSEs due to achieving a Grade 3 or below, or for those who were not able to successfully complete their GCSEs, we offer some Level 2 courses and a Foundation learning course. 

BTEC Level 2 Extended Certificate

• Full-time 1 year course
• Can be taken alongside GCSE Maths and/or English retakes if necessary
• Entry requirements: A minimum of 4 GCSEs at Grade 3
• Progression onto a Level 3 Extended Diploma, a Level 3 Apprenticeship or work.

BTEC Level 1 Foundation Learning

• Full-time 1 year course
• Entry requirements: A good record of attendance and punctuality is needed, with the ability to meet deadlines and work independently and as part of a team.
• Progression onto a Level 2 Extended Certificate, a Level 2 Apprenticeship or work.

T Levels

• Full-time 2 year course
• You will complete a minimum of 315 hours on industry placement. (If you’re an Education and Early Years student, you will complete 750 hours in industry placement.)
• Entry requirements: 5 GCSEs Grade 4 or above, including Grade 4 in Maths and Grade 4 in English Language
• After completing the 2 year course, students typically progress to university, an apprenticeship or work