Entry Requirements

Level 3

1) New students entering from Year 11

A minimum of 5 grade 4 GCSEs (1 of which could be a GCSE equivalent qualification) in at least 4 different subjects including English Language or Literature. There are also course-specific entry requirements – see individual course website pages for details.

The requirement for students to have achieved at least 4 of the 5 9-4s in GCSE subjects can be waived if a student wants to study a BTEC Extended Diploma.

2) New students joining from a year 12 level 3 course at another institution

Where students have studied the same specifications as followed at TRC transfer might be possible for the second year of study where a student’s circumstances require this – e.g. a move to the area from another part of the country. A satisfactory reference from the student’s previous school is required.

More usually students wanting to apply here after a year at another institution are looking for a fresh start on different subjects from the ones they have taken. In these instances the student must have a supportive reference – indicating a good record of effort – from the institution where they have studied Year 12 courses and they need to have strengths in the subjects they now wish to study at TRC, evidenced by 6 grades in these or related subjects at GCSE, in addition to the standard TRC entry requirements.

3) New students joining from a year 12 level 2 course at another institution

General entry requirements. Additionally, these students need to have successfully completed the level 2 course taken in Year 12 and to have a supportive reference from the institution at which this course was taken.

International GCSEs (iGCSEs) and entry.

The college accepts iGSCEs as part of its entry criteria. iGCSE Maths and English grade 4 will count as a proxy (equivalent) to a GCSE grade 4. The requirement for a student to have 5 GCSE passes at grade 4 or above for level 3 study will include iGCSEs. However, as the standard of iGCSEs is more open to fluctuation than GCSEs (see here, here and here) for specific course requirements iGCSEs require 1 grade higher than GCSEs, so for example, the requirement for a 6 in maths to study A Level maths is a grade 7 in iGCSE maths.

Level 2 Pathway Programme

We offer a Level 2 pathway studying GCSE English Language, Maths and Double Science for students who have not had the opportunity to study 4 or more GCSEs. If the student has already sat GCSE Maths and English Language, they must have achieved a at least a grade 3.

If GCSEs have not yet been sat a non-traditional assessment will be required.

1) Non-traditional route (to level 2 or 3)

The following students will be eligible for the non-traditional entry route.

Students who because of serious illness have been unable to meet the entry criteria.
Students who consider themselves to have UK equivalency qualifications. Students must have an ENIC equivalency to GCSEs certificate, with accompanying results certificate.

Please bear in mind that some subjects have specific entry requirements.

Students deemed eligible for the non-traditional entry route will be invited in to complete an initial skills assessment to determine for level 2/3 study.

International qualifications

Please obtain a Statement of Comparability | UK ENIC . The Statement gives international qualifications context against UK qualifications, enabling us to assess whether pathway entry criteria have been met.

2026 Pathway Programme

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