Entry Requirements
Many factors will govern your choice of course, such as: your interest, future education or career plans and your GCSE results.
Each level of course at St. Mary's has it's own entry requirements and has the following criteria to help you in your choice of course.
Programme of Study
All our students are expected to follow a programme of study that includes a minimum of 4 subjects (or equivalent).
To include the study of 3 AS levels (or equivalent), a minimum of 5 A*-C is expected.
To include the study 4 AS levels (or equivalent), a minimum of 5 A*-B is expected.
To include the study 5 AS levels (or equivalent), a minimum of 5 A*-A is expected.
N.B. Equivalent courses include vocational National Certificate and National Diploma Courses.
Applicants should check the individual subject course leaflets for specific requirements or
Click here to download a full list of our Examination Subject Entry Requirements for entry 2013
Course Requirements
Level 1 - Courses
Require: 4 GCSEs at grade E or above
We offer two, one year, Level 1 courses in Health and Social Care/Early Years and Sport. These courses are designed for students who have gained low grades in their GCSEs and who are not qualified for entry to Level 2 courses. Successful students may progress on to Level 2 courses on completion of the year.
Level 2 - Intermediate Courses
Require: 4 GCSEs at grade D or above
Applicants should check the individual subject course leaflets for specific requirements
Vocational
These one-year courses provide a progression route to Level 3 Advanced courses, training and/or employment and they concentrate on a combination of academic and vocational skills. Work experience during the year will provide opportunities for students to apply skills learned in the classroom.
Students at this level may combine their course with GCSEs and may progress to Level 3 courses such as AS/A Levels and/or National Certificates and Diplomas.
GCSE
We also offer a range of subjects at GCSE. Students who gain a grade D in either English or Mathematics at their previous schools are strongly advised to repeat the subject(s) at St. Mary's.
Students who wish to pursue teaching as a career are reminded of the need to gain English, Mathematics and Science GCSEs at grade C or above. GCSEs are open to students on Level 2 and Level 3 courses.
Level 3 - Advanced Courses
Require: 5 GCSEs at Grade C or above
Applicants should check the individual subject course leaflets for specific requirements
Vocational
These courses offer students the opportunity to work for one or two years on a selected vocational subject area and to combine academic and vocational skills. These qualifications can be combined with other AS/A Levels. Level 3 qualifications enable a student to apply directly to Higher Education.
AS/A Levels
We offer a very wide range of AS/A Levels. Students will take four or five subjects in the first year and these will be externally assessed in January and/or June. This will lead to AS certificates in each subject. Students who are successful at this level are expected to continue their subjects for a second year to gain full A Level certificates in each subject. Students will also be offered the chance to re-sit some modules during the course if they wish to do so.
All details are correct at the time of publishing.
The College reserves the right to make changes to the curriculum offer where it is deemed necessary.
