Your Study Programme

Coulsdon Sixth Form College offers a wide range of courses designed to develop students’ interests and skills, allowing for a smooth progression into higher education, apprenticeships and employment.

Level 3 Study Programme

Level 3 students follow a two-year programme containing A Levels and/or vocational courses that match their skills, prior qualifications and future aspirations. All students attend weekly tutorial and workshop sessions to support their pastoral needs and course progress. Students must also continue to study maths and/or English if they are yet to achieve a Grade 4 in these subjects at GCSE.

What is the ‘mix and match’ offer?

Unlike many school sixth forms, students at Coulsdon Sixth Form College have the option to ‘mix and match’ A Levels with BTEC Level 3 courses, or opt to study all A Levels or all BTECs. The ‘mix and match’ combinations are virtually endless. This ensures your timetable is tailor-made for you, giving you the best possible chance of doing well. If you don’t pass English Language or maths GCSE at Grade 4 or above, you will also continue to study these subjects.

What are the entry qualification requirements for Level 3 courses?

Students enrolling on Level 3 vocational programmes will have achieved Grade 4 or above in at least four GCSE subjects. Students wishing to include A Levels in their programmes will usually have achieved Grade 4 or above in at least five GCSE subjects, including English and maths. Some subjects have specific additional entry requirements that can be seen on our website.

How many units are students expected to take?

A Level 3 study programme contains one or more subjects to produce an overall programme containing (or equivalent to) three A Levels. The table shows how vocational courses are equivalent to one or more A Levels.

How do I decide between A Levels and BTECs?

A Levels:

If students enjoy an intellectual challenge and are good at understanding concepts and applying them, they will probably be suited to A Level study.

Most A Levels are not directly job related and, because of this, it is possible for students to keep their options open about career and higher education choices.

BTECs:

BTEC Level 3 courses are practical, workrelated courses that are assessed mainly through coursework although most of those offered at Coulsdon now have some external assessments.

BTECs are recognised by universities and employers alike as suitable entry qualifications for university courses, apprenticeships and graduate training programmes.

How are the BTEC qualifications structured?

BTEC Level 3 First Year

Certificate

BTEC Level 3 Second Year

Extended Certificate

Extended Certificate

Foundation Diploma Diploma

Extended Diploma

Equivalent

1 A Level

2 A Level

3 A level

Level 2 Study Programme

Level 2 students will usually have achieved five GCSE subjects at Grade 2 or above, including English language and mathematics, with at least two subjects at Grade 3.

Students who successfully complete their Level 2 studies mostly progress to a Level 3 study programme for two further years.

Level 2 Subjects

These are practical, work-related courses that introduce learners to their chosen employment area and provide a good basis to go onto a more advanced work-related qualification, or directly into employment.

The BTEC Level 2 Award is equivalent to one GCSE (Grade 9-4) and is assessed via a combination of coursework and external assessments. In some subjects (such as sport), assessment is wholly by coursework.