GCSE Requirements to study an A Level Course

Specific GCSE grade requirements for each of our A Level courses

GCSE Requirements to study an A Level Course

The entry requirement for Year 12 is a minimum of eight GCSE passes, including Mathematics and English; four at Grade 6 or above and four at Grade 7 or above, of which eight GCSEs must be achieved in one exam season.

Further Mathematics can be chosen as a fourth A Level only, once three other subjects have been selected. Students who opt for Further Maths will take an AS exam at the end of Year 12. The results of this exam will indicate suitability for the Year 13 course.

The entry criteria for each A Level course is as follows:

A Level Course	Subject required at Grade 7 or above
Art	Art (ideally Fine Art).
Biology	Grade 7 in Biology and also in GCSE Chemistry (triple award) OR Grade 8-7 in GCSE Science (double award). This must include Grade 8 in the Biology modules. Since 10% of the marks at A Level require mathematical skills at higher level GCSE, a Grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics is an advantage.
Chemistry	Chemistry (triple award) OR Grade 8-7 in GCSE Science (double award) and this must include Grade 8 in the Chemistry modules. Since 20% of the marks at A Level require mathematical skills at a higher level GCSE, a Grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics is an advantage.
Classical Civilisation	English Language or English Literature or History or Religious Studies
Computer Science	Grade 7 or above in Mathematics and English GCSE. No requirement to have studied Computing or ICT at GCSE.
Core Maths	Grade 6 or above in Mathematics.
DT Design Engineering	Design or Engineering subject
DT Product Design	Design or Engineering subject
DT Fashion and Textiles	Textiles
Drama and Theatre Studies	Drama and English
Economics	Mathematics plus English or a Humanities subject
English Literature	English Literature
French	French
Further Mathematics	Minimum Grade 8 in Mathematics
Geography	Geography or an aligned subject – Grade 7 or above
German	German
Government & Politics	English and a Humanities subject (Geography, History or Religious Studies)
History	History
Mathematics	Minimum Grade 7 in Mathematics
Music	Music plus at least Grade 5 in your first instrument
Physical Education	Physical Education
Physics	Grade 7 in Physics (triple award) OR Grade 8-7 in GCSE Science (double award). This must include Grade 8 in the Physics modules. Since 40% of the marks at A Level require mathematical skills at a higher level GCSE, a Grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics is required.
Psychology	English, Mathematics and a Grade 7 or above in Biology (triple award) OR Grade 7-7 in Science (double award)
Religion, Philosophy and Ethics	English or a Humanities subject (Geography, History or Religious Studies)
Spanish	Spanish