Entry Requirements

GCSEs

Our GCSE and IGCSE courses are taught over one academic year, so applicants should have either completed Year 9* or 10 in a UK school (or overseas equivalent), with satisfactory school reference and reports in terms of academic achievement,attendance, punctuality and good conduct.

Each applicant will be interviewed by a Co-Principal or another senior and experienced member of staff.  The style of the interview is intended to be natural and informal, and provides an opportunity for the family to take its own decision over the education on offer as well as for the College to learn about the family and the applicant.  The selection process differs between “home” students and those who need a UK visa in order to study (see Pre-CAS).

English Language Requirements: IELTS 5.0 or equivalent (international students only).

A Levels

Applicants should have the required background experience and qualifications to start a course.  For a typical A level course, the College normally requires 5 GCSE passes at grades A* - C /  9 - 4, including English and Mathematics.  A satisfactory IELTS score is an alternative to GCSE.

Reports from the applicant’s present or most recent school if international student, indicate satisfactory attitudes and conduct on the part of parents and applicant. 

Each applicant will be interviewed by a Co-Principal or another senior and experienced member of staff.  The style of the interview is intended to be natural and informal, and provides an opportunity for the family to take its own decision over the education on offer as well as for the College to learn about the family and the applicant.  The selection process differs between “home” students and those who need a UK visa in order to study (see Pre-CAS).

English Language Requirements: IELTS 5.5 or equivalent (international students only). 

Although we are a non-selective college, we occasionally administer entry tests for various reasons:

  • To consider candidates for scholarships
  • To assess academic ability
  • To determine eligibility for our courses

When a prospective applicant is required to take an entry test, they must complete the UKiset test. This assessment measures academic ability and English language proficiency through various cognitive evaluations. To register for the UKiset test, please contact your agent or apply directly here. 

Upon receiving satisfactory test results, you will be required to attend an online or in-person interview with our academic team to continue to the next stage of the admissions process.

The cost of the test is £295. If you are admitted to the college after successfully completing the test, this fee will be credited to your account in the final year of your course.

Additional Information

  1. The Co-Principals, assisted by our Senior Leadership Team, will be responsible for the admission of students.
  2. The main entry points to the College are at 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 years of age.
  3. Admission is generally at the beginning of the academic year, which is in September. (18 month - five term - A Level courses commence in January).  Admission at other times and into other years can often be accommodated subject to the availability of places.
  4. Transfer from GCSE or IGCSE classes to AS level is subject to satisfactory performance at GCSE and the availability of appropriate courses of study at A Level.
  5. Applicants are not selected by entry tests but the College does sometimes use diagnostic tests to ascertain what level of understanding a student may have in a subject.
  6. The College will outline the options available and explain the different Tiers in Mathematics and Statistics GCSE/IGCSE.  Applicants are informed that any decision relating to Higher or Foundation Tiers will be determined by the subject Tutor after one term.
  7. Scholarship tests are available for students whose previous performance at school or college indicates a special talent or ability.
  8. The College sets other criteria for entry which it may explore at interview. These are that:
  • the applicant is of the appropriate age and sufficient maturity;
  • the applicant enjoys satisfactory general health;
  • the applicant's learning difficulties and other special needs (if any) can, in the opinion of the Co-Principals, be managed within the College’s normal provision;
  • where the applicant’s present school is fee-paying, all fees have been paid and the parents are able, if required, to satisfy the Co-Principals that they are in a position to pay the fees of the courses applied for.

Applicants will be made aware of any additional selection tests that they may be required to take if it is their intention to seek a university course in Law (LNAT), medicine or Dentistry (UCAT) or entry to certain universities (BMAT).

Music GCSE students should have reached grade 4 on at least one instrument or voice by the time of recording in May; for A level entry they should have passed grade 6 /7 at GCSE or be grade 6 in an instrument /voice. Note for A level Music, the College would also accept GCSE equivalent qualifications.

Music technology students (A level) should have passed at GCSE Music and be able to play an instrument at grade 5 or above. An interview with performance will be required with the Head of Music before the student’s place is confirmed. An interview with the teacher may be required before the course is confirmed for Music and Music technology.

UKiset Testing 

1.       The UKiset test will only be required at the discretion of the admissions office / academic team to proceed to the next stage of the application

2.       For A level courses; GCSE / RQF Level 2 equivalence is required not only to indicate academic ability but for university applications as well – the UKiset test cannot be used to replace GCSE / RQF Level 2 equivalency

3.       Should applicant fail the acceptable threshold of the UKiset test, we are not required to reimburse cost of test

4.       Should applicant pass the acceptable threshold of the UKiset test and later on decide to withdraw application or cannot fulfil other conditions, we are not required to reimburse cost of test. 

For further details on Admissions, please refer to the

Admissions Policy

Equality Act 2010

In making an admissions assessment, the College will take no heed of any disability, or of the applicant’s skin colour, race, nationality or ethnic or national origin, religious faith, sexual orientation or area of residence.