--- title: "Course Entry Requirements" url: "https://www.aaasixthform.com/our-curriculum/course-entry-requirements" school: "St. Aidans & St Anthony's 6th Form" --- # Course Entry Requirements ## General Entry Requirements Entry Requirements for Sixth Form to study 3 A-Level/BTEC courses are a minimum of 5 GCSEs including 3 at Grade 5 and 2 at Grade 4 or better. Entry Requirements for Sixth Form to study 4 A-Level/BTEC courses are a minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade 7 or better. ### Specific Entry Requirements for Subjects #### A-Level - **Art and Design** - Grade 5 in Art and Design at GCSE. - **Biology** - It is desirable to have Grade 7 in GCSE Biology and one other GCSE science and Grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics or Grade 7-7 in Science (Trilogy) and Grade 7 at GCSE Mathematics. It is essential to have Grade 6 in GCSE Biology and one other GCSE science and Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics or Grade 6-6 in Science (Trilogy) and Grade 6 at GCSE Mathematics. - **Business Studies** - English Language GCSE Grade 6 and Mathematics GCSE Grade 5. - **Chemistry** - It is desirable to have Grade 7 in GCSE Chemistry and Grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics or Grade 7-7 in Science (Trilogy) and Grade 7 at GCSE Mathematics. It is essential to have Grade 6 in GCSE Chemistry and Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics or Grade 6-6 in Science (Trilogy) and Grade 6 at GCSE Mathematics. - **Computer Science** - Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics. - **Economics** - Grade 6 in GCSE English Language and Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics. - **English Language** - Grade 6 in GCSE English Language. - **English Literature** - Grade 6 in both GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature. - **French** - Grade 6 in GCSE French. - **Geography** - Grade 6 in GCSE Geography and a grade 5 in both English and Mathematics. - **History** - Grade 6 in GCSE History and GCSE English Language. - **Mathematics** - Grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics is desirable and grade 6 is essential. - **Further Mathematics** - Grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics. - **Media Studies** - Grade 6 in GCSE English Language. - **Music** - Grade 6 in GCSE Music or a BTEC Music at Level 2 Distinction and ABRSM Practical Exam Grade 5 and play a musical instrument. - **Philosophy and Theology** - GCSE Grade 6 in Religious Education, Grade 5 in GCSE English Language. - **Photography** - No formal requirements. - **Physics** - Desirable: Grade 7 in GCSE Physics and Grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics or Grade 7-7 in Science (Trilogy) and Grade 7 at GCSE Mathematics. Essential: Grade 6 in GCSE Physics and Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics or Grade 6-6 in Science (Trilogy) and Grade 6 at GCSE Mathematics. - **Politics** - Grade 6 in GCSE English Language. - **Psychology** - Grade 6 in GCSE English Language, Grade 5 in GCSE Mathematics and Grade 55 in GCSE Science. - **Sociology** - Grade 6 in GCSE English Language. - **Spanish** - Grade 6 in GCSE Spanish. - **Textiles Design** - Grade 5 in GCSE Textiles. - **Three Dimensional Design** - Grade 5 in GCSE Product Design. #### Other Level 3 Courses - **BTEC National Extended Certificate in Business Studies** - 5 GCSEs including 3 at Grade 5 and 2 at Grade 4 or better, preferably including GCSE Mathematics, GCSE English Language. - **AAQ / BTEC National in Health and Social Care (Extended Certificate)** - 5 GCSEs including 3 at Grade 5 and 2 at Grade 4 or better including English Language. - **BTEC National Extended Certificate in Applied Science** - 5 GCSEs including 3 at Grade 5 and 2 at Grade 4 or better, preferably including English Language and Grade 5 at GCSE Mathematics. Two Grade 5’s from GCSE Physics/GCSE Biology/GCSE Chemistry and Grade 5 at GCSE Mathematics or Grade 5-5 in Science (Trilogy). - **BTEC National Extended Certificate in PE & Sport** - 5 GCSEs including 3 at Grade 5 and 2 at Grade 4 or better, preferably including English Language and Mathematics with a grade 5 in GCSE Biology or GCSE Science with evidence of commitment to school/club level sport. It is recommended that you have successfully studied GCSE or BTEC PE or equivalent in Key Stage 4. - **BTEC National Extended Certificate in Applied Law** - 5 GCSEs including 3 at Grade 5 and 2 at Grade 4 or better including English Language and Mathematics at a grade 4. #### GCSE - **English** - All students who have not achieved a Grade 4 at GCSE English must follow this course. - **Mathematics** - All students who have not achieved a Grade 4 at GCSE Mathematics must follow this course. ### Our Curriculum - [A-Level Courses](https://www.aaasixthform.com/our-curriculum/a-level-courses) - [BTEC & Other Level 3 Courses](https://www.aaasixthform.com/our-curriculum/btec-and-other-level-3-courses) - [Careers](https://www.aaasixthform.com/our-curriculum/careers) - [Course Entry Requirements](https://www.aaasixthform.com/our-curriculum/course-entry-requirements) - [Enrichment](https://www.aaasixthform.com/our-curriculum/enrichment) - [GCSE](https://www.aaasixthform.com/our-curriculum/gcse) - [Religious Education](https://www.aaasixthform.com/our-curriculum/religious-education) ![St. Aidans & St Anthony's 6th Form](https://files.schudio.com/st-aidans-and-st-anthonys-catholic-sixth-form/images/logo/logo-footer-with-diocese-02(2).png) ### St. Aidans & St Anthony's 6th Form Thornhill Terrace Sunderland SR2 7JN +44 (0) 191 5658904 ### Quick Links - [Term Dates](https://www.aaasixthform.com/student-informations/term-dates) - [How to Apply](https://www.aaasixthform.com/apply/sixth-form-enrolment) - [Girls' School](https://st-anthonys-academy.com/) - [Boys' School](https://staidanscatholicacademy.co.uk/) ### Useful Links - [Accessibility Statement](https://bccet.org.uk/accessibility-statement/) - [Privacy Notice](https://bccet.org.uk/privacy-policy/) - [FOI Statement](https://bccet.org.uk/freedom-of-information) - [Website Terms ](https://bccet.org.uk/website-terms/) [![Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust](https://files.schudio.com/st-aidans-and-st-anthonys-catholic-sixth-form/images/logo/Pilgrims-of-Hope-2025-logo-(3).png)](https://bccet.org.uk) © Copyright 2025–2026 St. Aidans & St Anthony's 6th Form School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://www.aaasixthform.com/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)