Qualifications & entry requirements

Qualifications guide

We are committed to helping you achieve your dreams and guarantee your progression on to the next level with us. This information below illustrates how we can support you to progress all the way from Level 2 up to Level 6.

	Study Programme	Typical Entry Requirements	Equivalent
Level 6	• Top-up Degree Level 6	• Level 5 qualification OR • Related industry experience	BA (Hons) BSc (Hons)
Level 5	• Higher National Diploma (HND) • Foundation Degree (Fd) • Higher apprenticeship	• Level 4 qualification OR • Related industry experience	Bachelor degree (year 2)
Level 4	• Higher National Certificate (HNC) • Higher apprenticeship	• A-Levels OR • Level 3 qualification OR • Related industry experience	Bachelor degree (year 1)
Level 3	• BTEC Diplomas • Access to Higher Education • Advanced apprenticeship	• 4 GCSEs grades 9-4 (A*-C) ideally including English and maths OR • Level 2 qualification	A-Levels
Level 2	• BTEC Certificates and Diplomas • Intermediate Level apprenticeships	One year • 3 GCSEs grades 9-3 (A-D) ideally including English and maths OR • A qualification at Level 1 Two years* • 3 GCSEs grades 9-1 (A*-G) ideally including English and maths and a keen interest in a relevant subject OR • Other relevant levels of qualification or experience will be considered	GCSEs A*-C or 9-4

New GCSE grades

A new grading system for GCSEs started in August 2017. The new GCSEs are graded 9–1, rather than A*–G, with grade 9 being the highest and set above the old A*. Grade 4 is equivalent to the old grade C.

Old GCSE structure	GCSE/A-Level equivalent
A*	9
A	8 7
B	6
C	5 4
D	3
E	2
F	1
G
U	U

GOOD PASS RATE (DfE) C and above/4 and above

Higher education or a higher apprenticeship

We have high expectations for our students. 40% of our Advanced Level (Level 3) students went on to study a degree after studying with us last year. They went on to study subjects at over 91 institutions across the UK in 2017, including: