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Entry Requirements
View Course Entry Requirements - Sept 2026
SFH6 Entry Requirements - September 2026 Entry
A Levels:
A Levels are two year courses. This means that the whole course is assessed at the end of Year 13. Students will usually study 3 A Level subjects although some students may be able to take 4 and this can be discussed at interview.
Vocational Courses:
Level 3 Applied courses are awarded by either BTEC or CTEC. The BTEC or CTEC courses are the same standard as A Levels. Some of these courses can be taken as an Extended Certificate (the same as 1 A Level), Diploma (the same as 2 A Levels) or an Extended Diploma (the same as 3 A Levels).
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Students may choose to study a combination of A Level and Level 3 Vocational courses and this will be carefully discussed at the course discussion meeting.
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SFH6 General entry Requirements
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FOUR A LEVELS |
APS (average point score) 8 across best 8 GCSES. Students will also need to achieve the subject specific criteria. |
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Three A Levels |
Minimum average point score at GCSE of 5.7 including maths and English at grade 4. Students will also need to achieve the subject specific criteria. |
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A LEVEL & VOCATIONAL COMBINATION
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A level and Vocational Combination - APS 5 across best 8 including Grade 4 in English. Students will also need to achieve the subject specific criteria. |
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Vocational Level 3 COURSEs
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Minimum average point score at GCSE of 4, including at least subjects 5 at a Grade 4. This should include English Language or Literature at Grade 4. Students will also need to achieve the subject specific criteria. |
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+ GCSE Maths |
All students who have not yet achieved a grade 4 in Maths will join a resit class. |
UNDERSTANDING A LEVELS AND VOCATIONAL COURSES
At SFH6, we offer two main types of Level 3 qualifications: A Levels and Applied courses such as BTEC and CTEC. Both pathways are equally respected, providing different routes to success depending on each student’s strengths, interests, and preferred way of learning.
At SFH6, students can choose from a wide range of Level 3 courses, including A Levels and Applied qualifications such as BTEC or CTEC. All are recognised nationally and are valued equally by universities and employers.
A Levels are traditional academic qualifications that focus on developing deep subject knowledge, critical thinking, and strong exam skills. They are assessed mainly through written examinations, with some subjects including coursework or practical assessments.
Applied courses (BTEC and CTEC) are vocational qualifications that combine academic study with practical, realworld learning. They are assessed through a mixture of coursework, practical projects, and external assessments. These courses suit students who prefer continuous assessment and wish to apply their learning in practical contexts.
Level 3 Applied courses are awarded by either BTEC or CTEC, and are equivalent in standard to A Levels. Students can take them in different sizes:
- Extended Certificate – equivalent to 1 A Level
- Diploma – equivalent to 2 A Levels
- Extended Diploma – equivalent to 3 A Levels
Applied qualifications are highly respected by universities, including those in the Russell Group. In fact, students who achieve Distinction or Distinction* grades in BTEC or CTEC courses earn the same UCAS tariff points as students achieving A or A* at A Level.
In 2025, 78% of SFH6 students achieved Distinction or Distinction* in their BTEC courses, with many progressing to Russell Group universities and other top higher education institutions across the UK.
Both A Level and Applied pathways at SFH6 open doors to university, apprenticeships, and high-level employment – enabling our students to choose the route that best supports their ambitions and learning styles.
A LEVEL COURSE CRITERIA
Art & Design (Art) Grade 6 in Art. Textiles or Graphics grade 6 considered + portfolio.
Biology Grade 6 in Biology and 1 other Science or a grade 6 in Combined Science, Grade 6 in Maths. Business Grade 6 in Business (if taken as a GCSE) or a grade 6 in either English or a
Humanities subject. Grade 5 in Maths
Chemistry Grade 6 in Chemistry and 1 other Science or a grade 6 in Combined Science,
Grade 7 in Maths.
Computing Grade 6 in Computing and Grade 6 in Maths.
Drama Grade 5 in Drama if taken and grade 5 in English or Humanities subject. Experience of performance either as an actor or designer.
Economics Grade 6 in Maths & English Language. Grade 6 in GCSE Business & Economics if taken.
English Literature Grade 6 in English Language and Literature.
Film Studies Grade 6 in English Language, Media Studies or a humanities subject.
French Grade 6 in French.
Further Mathematics Grade 8 in Maths (You must take A level Maths). Can only be taken as a fourth subject alongside Maths.
Geography Grade 6 in Geography.
Government & Politics Grade 6 in History, if taken. If not a grade 6 in English Lang or Lit
History Grade 6 in History
Mathematics Grade 7 in Maths
Media Grade 6 in English Language or 6 in Media
Photography Grade 6 in Photography, Art or English. Textiles ot Graphics grade 6 considered.
Physics Grade 6 in Physics and 1 other Science or a Grade 6 in combined science, Grade 7 in Maths
Product Design Grade 6 in D & T. Grade 5 in Maths
Psychology Grade 6 in English Language, or Literature and a grade 5 in Maths or Science. Grade 6 in Psychology if taken.
Sociology Grade 6 in Sociology if taken, if not, then a 6 in English or a humanities subject.
Spanish Grade 6 in Spanish
LEVEL 3 VOCATIONAL CTEC/BTEC COURSE CRITERIA
AAQ Science Two Grade5s in science. Grade 4 in Maths
Business Grade 4 in English & 4 in a Humanities subject & Grade 4 in Maths. Grade 5 in Maths for Ext Diploma
Child Development Grade 4 in English, Merit in L2 Health & Social Care if taken
Health & Social Care Grade 4 in English, Merit in L2 Health & Social Care if taken
BTEC Psychology Grade 4 in English & Grade 4 in a Humanities & Grade 4 in Maths
BTEC Music Grade 4 in GCSE Music if taken and ability to practice and read music and audition
