KS5 Entry Criteria - 26-27 v4

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Adam

KS5 entry requirements from 2026 onwards outline the minimum grade expectations for GCSEs needed for A level and BTEC pathways. The document specifies subject-by-subject criteria, including required English and Mathematics grades, plus additional subject combinations for areas such as Medicine, Engineering, Sciences, Computer Science, and Languages. It also sets conditions for practical assessment in Physical Education, outlines recommended versus required grades, and includes supporting access guidance for IGCSE qualifications and BTEC equivalencies.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

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Minimum Entry Requirements

A level subject entry criteria

BTEC Level 3 course entry criteria

Supporting information for access to A level courses

| Entry 2026 Onwards | | Minimum Entry Requirements: Five GCSE grades 9 – 5 including Grade 5 in English & Mathematics for any A level course | | --- | --- | --- | | Subject | Notes | The expected entry criteria for each subject is shown below: | | Art | If destination is Architecture, Art typically is taken with Mathematics and/ or Physics. | GCSE grade 6 in Art or Photography. | | Biology | Needed for some Sports Science subjects at University. Highly recommended for Medicine. Strongly recommended that students have a GCSE English and Mathematics grade 6. | GCSE grade 7-7 in Combined Science, or grade 7 in Biology and grade 6 in Chemistry if Separate Sciences studied. | | Business | | GCSE grade 6 in Business or Distinction in BTEC Enterprise (Business) if studied. If not studied, grade 5 in English and
Mathematics. | | Chemistry | Required for Medicine. Complements A Level Biology strongly recommended that students have a strong foundation in Mathematics with a grade 6 at GCSE. | GCSE grade 7 in Chemistry or 7-7 in Combined Science. | | Computer Science | Strongly recommended to be taken with Mathematics. | GCSE grade 7 in Computer Science if studied. If not studied, grade 5 in English, and a GCSE grade 7 in Mathematics is required. | | Drama & Theatre Studies | If no GCSE in Drama, previous drama experience strongly
recommended. | GCSE grade 6 in Drama if studied. If not studied, GCSE grade 5 in English is required. | | Design & Technology | Strongly advisable to those wishing to study Engineering, Architecture, Product/Graphic Design and aligns well with Arts or STEM subjects. Strongly recommended that students have a strong foundation in Mathematics with a grade 6 at GCSE. | GCSE grade 6 in Technology if studied. If not studied, grade 5 in English and Mathematics. | | Economics | | GCSE grade 6 in Economics if studied, and GCSE grade 6 in Mathematics. If not studied, grade 5 in English and grade 6 in Mathematics. | | English Language | | GCSE grade 6 in English Language. | | English Literature | | GCSE grade 6 in English Literature and grade 6 English Language. | | French | Exceptions may be made for native speakers. | GCSE grade 6 in French. | | German | Exceptions may be made for native speakers. | GCSE grade 6 in German. | | Geography | Biology usually needed if planning to study Geology at University. | GCSE grade 6 in Geography and grade 6 in Mathematics. | | History | | GCSE grade 6 in History and grade 6 in English Literature. | | Mathematics | Mathematics is required for Physics or Engineering. Further Mathematics also needed if Mathematics to be studied at a Russell Group University. | GCSE grade 7 in Mathematics | | Further
Mathematics | | GCSE grade 8 in Mathematics & must study A Level Mathematics over two years. Average GCSE points score of 8 required if one of four A Levels. | | Media | | GCSE grade 5 in either English Language or English Literature. | | Music | Mathematics needed to study Music Technology at some Universities. | GCSE grade 6 in Music plus minimum grade 5 instrumental/vocal. Ifa student has not studied Music, then a Grade 5 Instrumental/vocal (any board) and Grade 5 Theory (ABRSM) is required. | | Physical Education | 30% of the final A Level grade is practical. Students should be regularly competing at school 1st team standard. If subject studied at GCSE anda grade lower than 5 is achieved, the alternative entry requirements will not be considered. | GCSE grade 6 in Physical Education, or grade 5 in English and grade 5 in Biology GCSE, or 5-5 in Combined Science GCSE. | | Physics | Both Mathematics and Physics needed for Physics or Engineering at most Universities. | GCSE grade 7 in Physics or 7-7 in Combined science and a GCSE grade 7 in Maths. A level Physics must be accompanied by Mathematics in Year 12. | | Photography | | GCSE grade 6 in Art or Photography. | | Psychology | Strongly recommended to be taken with other science subject(s) as some Psychology degrees ask

FAQs

What are the minimum entry requirements for A level courses from 2026 onwards?

Students need five GCSE grades 9–5, including a grade 5 in English and Mathematics, for any A level course.

What GCSE grades are expected for subject-specific A level entry, such as Biology and Chemistry?

Biology typically requires strong GCSE outcomes (for example, grade 7-7 Combined Science or grade 7 in Biology plus grade 6 in Chemistry if studied separately), while Chemistry requires grade 7 in Chemistry or 7-7 Combined Science.

What are the minimum entry requirements for BTEC Level 3 courses, and what general English/Maths grades apply?

For BTEC courses, the minimum is five GCSE grades 9–4 including grade 4 in English and Mathematics. For specific BTEC options, the document further states the required English/Mathematics grades and notes higher maths content for certain subjects.

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Adam