Whatever your performance at school, there is a programme of study here for you at Barrow Sixth Form College.
The aim of our general entry requirements is to facilitate students being enrolled onto a study programme where they will be successful and which will enable them to make appropriate progression; these requirements are displayed in the table below. As you can see, the study programmes available to students will be determined by the grades gained at GCSE; you will see, too, that the GCSE English Language grade is particularly important.
These general entry requirements incorporate 2 significant changes from recent years: the introduction of numerical grades in all GCSE subjects; for most students, the switch to studying 3 rather than 4 A Levels/Cambridge Technical L3s. In the light of these variants, and the unfamiliarity they bring for all concerned, we will be flexible in applying these entry requirements at enrolment in September. Our prime aim will still be to enrol students in a study programme where they will be successful and which will enable them to make appropriate progression!
Furness College: Rating Lane campus: General entry requirements 2020-21
Band | Qualifications on entry | 6F study programme |
1 | average GCSE score 7.0 or above | Full L3* programme, with full choice of qualifications (providing individual subject entry requirements are met); Honours programme i.e. EPQ or 4th A or AS
Two years duration
|
2 | either: grade 5 or better in GCSE English Language, plus grade 4 / C or better in 3 or more other GCSEs (excluding Maths)
or: grade 4 in GCSE English Language, plus an average GCSE score of 5.5 or better from 5 GCSEs |
Full L3* programme, (Individual subject entry requirements must be met)
Two years duration If only grade 4 at GCSE English Language EFAS must be taken
|
3 | grade 4 or better in GCSE English Language, plus grade 4 / C or better in 3 or more other GCSEs (excluding Maths)
|
Mixed L3/L2** programme; at least 1 L3 must be CTec/BTEC (individual subject entry requirements must be met)
Two years duration, unless aim to progress to HE/HL Apprenticeship: in this case, three years duration If only grade 4 at GCSE English Language EFAS must be taken
|
4 | qualifications below those required for above study programmes
|
L2*** programme
One year duration, with clear progression opportunities to higher level programmes
|
* Full L3 programme (i.e. A level equivalent): 3 x A level / CTec/BTEC L3 courses; Plus programme as appropriate
** Mixed L3/L2 programme (i.e. A level / GCSE equivalent): 3 courses: either 2 x L3 + 1 x L2, or 1 x L3 + 2 x L2; Plus programme as appropriate
*** L2 programme (i.e. GCSE equivalent): 4 x L2 courses (or L1 English / Maths, depending on prior qualifications)
The standard study programme for Level 3 (i.e. A level or Cambridge Technical L3) students will comprise three subjects. The majority of L3 students will be enrolled onto such a study programme.
In addition to this is the Plus Programme, i.e. the study of a 4th subject, available to some students. There are two key components of this Plus Programme:
For some students, participation in the Plus programme will be compulsory, for others it will be optional
It will be compulsory in the following cases:
It will be optional in the following cases:
In addition to the Plus Programme, all L3 students will have the opportunity to participate in enrichment activities (sports teams, Duke of Edinburgh Award, volunteering activities etc.) and will be expected to complete a meaningful work experience at some point within the two years’ duration of their study programme.