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Entry Requirements

All applicants will need to attend a successful admission interview and we must receive a school reference deemed satisfactory or above by the college before we make a conditional offer of a place with us. Click here for more information on the Application Process.

The entry requirements below are a guide. We may consider grades that do not meet the entry requirements if grades that fall slightly below the entry requirements are compensated for in other areas with grades above the minimum entry requirements.

Combinations PossibleMinimum Entry Requirement
4 x A levels (only recommended for exceptionally able students)4 GCSEs at Grade 9-7 and a further 3 at minimum Grade 6. Must include English Language and Maths. All students wishing to study 4 A levels should have an average GCSE Score of at least 6.3.                                          
3 x A levels6 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, preferably including English Language or Maths        

All students wishing to study 3 A levels should have an average GCSE Score of at least 4.3
BTEC Level 3 Extended DiplomaMinimum 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, ideally including English Language
OR
BTEC Level 2 Diploma at Merit with English Language at Grade 4
BTEC Level 2 Diploma4 GCSEs at Grade 3 or above with a minimum Grade 3 in English Language or Maths or Pass in Foundation Learning
Foundation LearningInterest in the subject areas, a willingness to work hard, complete assignments within a set time scale and to demonstrate exceptional attendance and punctuality

Applicants must also meet course-specific entry requirements for their chosen course(s) see below. Equivalent qualifications will be taken into consideration.

Specific Course Requirements:

A level and Applied
APPLIED PSYCHOLOGYGrade 4 or above in English Language, Maths and double science (if single sciences are taken then a Grade 4 in two sciences is required).
ART & DESIGN - Fine Art Grade 4 in Art, Textiles or Graphic Design if taken. Applicants who have not taken an Art-related GCSE course may be admitted to the course subject to satisfactory completion of a practical assessment task.
OR
Merit in BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Art
ART & DESIGN - Graphic CommunicationGrade 4 in Art or Graphic Design
OR
Merit in BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Art
BUSINESSGrade 4 in English Language and Grade 5 in Maths
OR
Grade 5 in English Language and Grade 4 in Maths
BIOLOGYGrade 6 in Maths and Grade 5 in English Language, Grade 6 in Core Science and Grade 7 in Additional Science; GCSE score of 4.8 or above (N.B. Science (Applied) not accepted)
OR
Grade 6 in Maths and Grade 5 in English Language, Grade 7 in Core Science and Grade 6 in Additional Science; GCSE score of 4.8 or above (N.B. Science (Applied) not accepted)
OR
Grade 6 in Maths and Grade 5 in English Language, Grade 6 in Biology and Grade 6 in either Chemistry or Physics; GCSE score of 4.8 or above (N.B. Science (Applied) not accepted)
Please refer to subject combinations below
CHEMISTRYGrade 6 in Maths and Grade 5 in English Language, Grade 6 in Core Science and Grade 7 in Additional Science; GCSE score of 4.8 or above (N.B. Science (Applied) not accepted)
OR
Grade 6 in Maths and Grade 5 in English Language, Grade 7 in Core Science and Grade 6 in Additional Science; GCSE score of 4.8 or above (N.B. Science (Applied) not accepted)
OR
Grade 6 in Maths and Grade 5 in English Language, Grade 6 in Chemistry and Grade 6 in either Biology or Physics; GCSE score of 4.8 or above (N.B. Science (Applied) not accepted)
Please refer to subject combinations below
CLASSICAL CIVILISATIONGrade 5 in English Language. Applicants with Grade 4 in English Language and Grade 5 + in a relevant Humanities subject may be considered. 
CRIMINOLOGY (Applied Diploma)Grade 4 in English Language
ECONOMICSGrade 5 in English Language and Grade 5 in Maths
ENGLISH LANGUAGEGrade 5 in English Language and Grade 4 English Literature
Or
Grade 4 in English Language and Grade 5 English Literature 
ENGLISH LANGUAGE & LITERATUREGrade 5 in English Language and Grade 4 English Literature
Or
Grade 4 in English Language and Grade 5 English Literature 
ENGLISH LITERATUREGrade 5 in English Language and Grade 5 English Literature 
FRENCHGrade 6 in French
Speakers without a French GCSE can be assessed by the Head of Modern Foreign Languages.
GEOGRAPHYGrade 5 in English Language and Grade 4 in Maths
HISTORYGrade 5 in English Language. Applicants with a Grade 4 in English Language and a 5 in other humanities subject will be considered subject to availability
ITALIANGrade 6 in Italian
Speakers without a GCSE in Italian can be assessed by the Head of Modern Foreign Languages.
MATHSGrade 7 in Maths with a GCSE score of 4.8 & above 
FURTHER MATHSGrade 7 in Maths; GCSE score of 4.8 or above 
LAW (Applied Diploma)Grade 4 or above in English Language and English Literature.        
MEDIA STUDIESGrade 5 in English Language
POLITICSGrade 5 in English Language
Applicants with a Grade 4 in English Language and a 5 in other humanities subject will be considered subject to availability
PORTUGUESEGrade 6 in Portuguese
(Speakers without a Portuguese GCSE can be assessed by the Head of Modern Foreign Languages).
PHYSICSGrade 6 in Maths and Grade 5 in English Language, Grade 6 in Core Science and Grade 7 in Additional Science; GCSE score of 4.8 or above (N.B. Science (Applied) not accepted)
OR
Grade 6 in Maths and Grade 5 in English Language, Grade 7 in Core Science and Grade 6 in Additional Science; GCSE score of 4.8 or above (N.B. Science (Applied) not accepted)
OR
Grade 6 in Maths and Grade 5 in English Language, Grade 6 in Physics and Grade 6 in either Chemistry or Biology; GCSE score of 4.8 or above (N.B. Science (Applied) not accepted)
Please refer to subject combinations below
PSYCHOLOGYGrade 5 in English Language, Grade 5 in Maths and Grade 5 in Science (Core, Additional or Applied)
Students with a Grade 4 in Maths may be considered subject to availability
RELIGIOUS STUDIESGrade 4 in English Language
SOCIOLOGYGrade 5 in English Language or Grade 5 in Sociology
Students with a Grade 4 in English Language and Grade 5 or higher in Sociology or other humanities subjects may also be considered subject to availability
SPANISHGrade 6 in Spanish
Speakers without a Spanish GCSE can be assessed by the head of Modern Foreign Languages.

NB: The following subjects do not require students to have studied the subject at GCSE level: Classical Civilisation, Economics, Geography, History, Media, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology.

Science and Maths subject combinations:

  • Requirement to do Chemistry with at least one of Physics, Biology or Maths
  • Requirement to do Physics with maths unless taking Physics with Chemistry and Biology
  • Preference to do Chemistry with Maths
  • Preference to do Biology with Chemistry
VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: LEVEL 3 EXTENDED DIPLOMAS
GENERAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL COURSES: Grade 4 in English Language AND 5 other GCSEs at Grade 4 (OR specified BTEC Level 2 Diploma – see below)
APPLIED SCIENCEGrade 4 in Core Science, Grade 4 in Additional Science and Grade 4 in Maths
OR
BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Science with Merit and Grade 4 in Maths
ART & DESIGNGrade 4 in an Art-related qualification
OR
BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Art & Design with Merit
BUSINESSGrade 4 in Maths
OR
BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Business (or equivalent) with Merit
CREATIVE MEDIA PRODUCTIONGrade 4 in Media (if taken) and Grade 4 in English language
OR
BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Media with Merit
ENGINEERING Grade 5 in Maths, Grade 4 in Core Science and Grade 4 in Additional Science
OR
Grade 5 in Maths, Grade 4 in two separate science GCSEs (Biology and/or Chemistry and/or Physics)
OR
BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Engineering with Merit and Grade 5 in Maths
FOOTBALL ACADEMYHigh level of football ability demonstrated at SFX football trials.
Must also meet the entry requirements for Sport & Exercise Science, taken alongside Football Academy.
HEALTH & SOCIAL CAREGrade 4 in Maths and Grade 4 in English language preferred
OR
BTEC Level 2 Diploma in a relevant Level 2 qualification with Distinction

NB: A BTEC AWARD is not sufficient on its own without meeting other requirements
IT Grade 4 in Maths
OR
BTEC Level 2 Diploma in IT (or equivalent) with Merit and Grade 4 in Maths
PERFORMING AND PRODUCTION ARTSGrade 4 in English language or English Literature and Grade 4 in GCSE Music, Dance, Drama or Expressive Arts
OR
Grade 4 in English language or English Literature and Pass in BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Performing Arts
OR
Grade 4 in English language or English Literature and appropriate experience in music, dance or drama performance (decision of Head of Department)
SPORT & EXERCISE SCIENCEGrade 4 in Core Science, Maths & English Language
OR
BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Sport (or equivalent) with Merit and Grade 4 in Maths
TRAVEL & TOURISMGrade 4 in English Language or Maths
OR
BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Travel and Tourism (or equivalent) with Merit
VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: LEVEL 2 DIPLOMAS
GENERAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL COURSES: 4 GCSEs at Grade 3 (including Grade 3 in English Language and Maths)
BUSINESSGrade 3 in English language and Maths
HEALTH & SOCIAL CAREGrade 3 in English language and Maths
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGYGrade 3 in English language and Maths
CREATIVE MEDIA PRODUCTION AND TECHNOLOGYGrade 3 in English Language and Maths
T LEVEL
GENERAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL COURSES: 5 GCSEs Grade 4 or above, including Grade 4 in Maths and Grade 4 in English Language
ACCOUNTINGGrade 4 in English and Grade 5 in Maths
EDUCATION AND EARLY YEARSGrade 4 in English and Maths
MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION (Business)Grade 4 in English and Maths
MEDIA, BROADCAST AND PRODUCTIONGrade 4 in Media (if taken) and Grade 4 in English Language OR BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Media with Merit

LEVEL 3 T LEVELS
N.B. These are two-year courses, and 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.

FOUNDATION LEARNING
There are no specific course entry requirements. However, a good record of attendance and punctuality is needed with ability to meet deadlines and work independently and as part of a team.

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Courses

Students can take any combination of 30 A level and Level 3 Applied Diploma subjects. Vocational programmes include 11 Level 3 Extended Diplomas, including BTEC, CTEC and University of the Arts courses, and 4 T Levels. We also offer BTEC Level 2 and Foundation options, along with GCSE Maths and English language retakes.

Students

At Saint Francis Xavier, we develop the whole person. Our commitment goes beyond academic achievement; we equip students with the confidence, values, and skills needed to thrive in higher education, employment, and adult life. With an extensive range of courses, our students receive expert teaching in our modern, state-of-the-art facilities.

Female Student

Parents & Carers

Personal Tutors will work with both you and your student to overcome any obstacles and achieve their potential. We build a positive ethos around learning and behaviour, support students with discussion and advice, invite you to progress review evenings, provide each student with an Individual Learning Plan (ILP), and send you full reports.

Male Student

Upcoming Events

Open Evening

Wednesday, 4th March · 4pm – 6pm

Explore your options and secure your offer from Saint Francis Xavier Sixth Form College for September 2026.

Book your place to visit London’s top performing and friendliest sixth form college with a 97% pass rate in A levels, BTECs, UAL Diplomas and T Levels.

Hire Our Spaces

Hold your next event with us in one of our many available spaces. Choose from: a multi-use games area, sports hall, dining hall and garden, multi-purpose hall, dance/drama studio, fitness suite, meeting/conference rooms, computer suite, chapel and music studio. Kitchen and catering facilities and free parking are also available.

Nursery

‘Happy staff make happy children’

Nightingale’s Nursery is set in the beautiful, secure grounds of Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Sixth Form College where children can play outside and help tend the vegetable patch. The nursery follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework and provides a holistic learning environment, paying special attention to the transition from home to nursery, reassuring parents of their child’s wellbeing and progress on a daily basis.

Nightingale’s friendly team builds positive relationships with all the children and parents.

Student with child

What Our
Students Say

The support I received from passionate teachers who pushed me to aim higher, to the tailored guidance with university applications made all the difference. SFX believed in my potential even when I doubted myself, and that encouragement gave me the confidence to pursue my ambitions. Without that foundation, I don’t think I’d be on the path to a legal career today.

Joshua, former Sociology student

Latest News & Blog

Saint Francis Xavier Sixth Form College announces excellent 2025 Level 3 examination results

We congratulate all our students who received their excellent public examination results today. We are delighted to see results improving on last year’s impressive pass rates across A level, BTEC, CTEC and UAL courses. Our second year T Level results have also been excellent. The overall pass rate at Level 3 was 97%, including 50% […]

Celebrating SFX diversity at Culture Day

Saint Francis Xavier Sixth Form College was filled with colour, flavour, and pride as we hosted our much-anticipated Culture Day — a joyful celebration of the rich diversity that makes our college community so special. We are proud to be a truly inclusive college, welcoming students and staff from a wide range of cultural and […]

SFX Young Enterprise Team Wins Regional Final at Samsung KX

We’re incredibly proud to announce that our Young Enterprise team, Nexora, has won the Central, North & West London Final, held at the prestigious Samsung KX venue in King’s Cross. Representing St Francis Xavier Catholic Sixth Form College, students Guilherme, Nawid, Tiago, Ruan and Kevin competed against seven other schools in a high-pressure final that tested their innovation, professionalism and business […]

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