Making Your Choices

Before you make an application to us, it is important to take time and choose your courses carefully. 

It is important that you choose courses that you will enjoy and be successful at. You will want to think about your strengths, interests and skills.  You should find your subjects challenging and engaging.

Remember, you won’t just have to study those subjects during lessons; you will also have to dedicate significant amounts of independent study time to them, so it is important that you enjoy them, too.

Subject combinations

At the time of application, you can select any combination of courses. Once applications close on 6 January 2025, we will create option blocks based on your selections. While we strive to accommodate as many subject combinations as possible, popular combinations and those aligned with career pathways are prioritised. This means that less common subject pairings may be harder to fit within the timetable.

As you consider your subject choices, it’s important to think about how they complement each other and support your future study and career goals.

Below are some typical combinations of courses, though other options are also possible:

How many subjects should I take?

It is our expectation that all students study with us full time, meaning that you will have to study a minimum of 3 subjects.

Some students also choose to take a 4th subject as a 1 year qualification in year 12. (see subject information or ask for more information).

Students with a GCSE average grade score of 7.5 or above also have the option to take four full courses.

Please note that we can make no guarantees that a given course will run. It always depends on sufficient uptake. For this reason, we ask you to choose a reserved subject. These are also useful in case you don’t achieve the expected grade in any subject. 

 Entry requirements 

 Students must meet both the general entry requirements for Sixth Form and the specific entry requirements for their chosen subjects.

To join Sixth Form, you will need at least five GCSEs at grades 9–4, including either English or Maths.

Additionally, each subject has its own specific entry requirements, which can be found on the individual subject pages or in the summary available here.

Submitting your application and making changes

Please submit your application by January 6. Applications are accepted after this date, but if courses are full, you will be placed on a waiting list.

After reviewing all applications and conducting any necessary interviews to discuss your options or entry requirements, we will send you a letter with your conditional offer.

In June, you will be invited to an induction day, where you can prepare for the start of your courses and experience some of your new classes.

Following your results in August, you will need to attend an enrolment meeting to confirm your place.

If you wish to make any changes to your application after submission, please contact us at: 

DMSixthForm@cset.co.uk.