Headteacher: Mr I H Colling
Waynflete Avenue, Brackley
Northamptonshire, NN13 6FB
Tel: 01280 846300
E-mail: generalenquiries@magdalen.northants.sch.uk
Web: www.magdalen.northants.sch.uk
MOTIVATION COMMITMENT SUCCESS
IMH/October 2014
Dear Parent,
You will find in our ‘Post-16 Choices’ brochure an outline of the sixth form courses we offer here at
Magdalen College School, which can be read in conjunction with our general school prospectus.
General criteria for access into the sixth form is 7 or more A*-C grades at GCSE including English and
Mathematics. Additional criteria for specific subject courses are shown below:
Subject
Gde
B
BB
B
English
Maths & English
Maths
B
B
B
Science
ICT &
Maths
Tech
Option
Science
ICT &
Maths
Tech
Option
English
BB
B
Maths & English
English
B
C
B
English
C
BB
B
Maths & English
English
B
C
B
English
C
B
Maths
B
English
Lang.
English
B
English
Literature
Maths
B
History
Modern Foreign
Languages
Physical Education
History
Language
B
B
English
B
Science
BB
Physics
Psychology
Science
English
BB
B
History or
Geography or
English
Maths & English
Maths
A Grade GCSEs required:
Further Mathematics
Mathematics
B grade GCSEs required:
Art & Design – Fine Art
Biology
Business Studies
Chemistry
Computing
Design Technology –
Product Design
Chemistry
Computing
Design Technology –
Product Design
Economics
English Literature
Geography
Subject
Gde
Maths
Maths
A*
A
Art
Science
English
B
C
If studied, GCSE Business Studies C
grade required
A C grade in Tech option may be
considered
A C grade in Tech option may be
considered
If studied, GCSE Business C grade
required
If studied, GCSE Geography B grade
required
A GCSE B grade in chosen language
B
Regular participation in competitive sport
expected; CB in Science may be
accepted where B is Additional Science.
B
B
Double Science BB or CA with an A
grade in additional Science
Sociology
English
B
Maths
C
If studied, GCSE Sociology B grade
required
Drama & Theatre Studies
English
C
Performing Arts GCSE preferable but not
essential. Significant evidence of
participation in theatrical performance or
tuition.
All other courses on offer require 7 or more A*-C grades at GCSE including English and Mathematics.
Applied Business Studies, Applied ICT, Btec National Certificate in Applied Science, Art & Design – Creative Textiles,
Drama & Theatre Studies, English Language & Literature, Enterprise & Employability, Btec Fashion & Clothing, Film
Studies, Food Nutrition & Health, Music & Music Tech., Philosophy & Ethics, Travel and Tourism
It is worthwhile for students at this stage to consider their long term plans, to ensure the choices they make
now enable them to access specific pathways and to achieve their goals. For entry to university, all A level
examination results are awarded a specific number of UCAS points. Most degree courses ask for either a
total number of UCAS points, or a combination of grades without specifying subjects. However, some
degree courses ask for specific A Levels as a condition of entry. Examples of preferred A Level
combinations are shown below and students should consider these alongside their other subject choices.
We offer a wide range of courses which complement these specific requirements and give access to other
degree subjects and vocational pathways. Further information is available in school using on-line
resources, or from universities / providers themselves.
Anthropology: Any subject
Archaeology: Any subject; Sciences and History an advantage
Architecture: None are compulsory: Maths, Physics, Art all useful
Biology: Biology and Chemistry
Chemistry: Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics
Drama: English, Arts subjects
Economics: Economics and Maths
Engineering : Physics, Maths and preferably Further Maths
English: English Literature/ Language & Literature. Also useful: History, RE, MFL
Environmental Studies: Any two sciences
Languages: At least one and preferably two language A-levels
Law: Any subject
Mathematics: Maths. Also useful: Further Maths and Physics
Medicine: Chemistry, Biology. Also useful: Maths, Physics or a humanities subject
Physics: Physics and Maths – Oxbridge: Further Maths A Level
Physiotherapy: One or two sciences
Politics: Any social science or arts subject
PPE (Oxford): Maths and History (or similar essay subject)
Psychology: Maths and Biology useful
Sociology: Sociology, Psychology, Geography all useful
Sports Science: Maths & a Science (Some universities consider A level PE a science)
Veterinary Science: Chemistry, Biology and Maths or Physics
To further support students’ choices, it may also be useful to consider wider areas of interest. Subjects can
be grouped by topic area and students may like to reflect on their interests while making these choices. The
table below is a guide to subjects that may be grouped together by topic:
Historical topics
Cultural topics
‘People’
Calculations, logic
Expressive /
Creative
performance
Creating and
making
History, Philosophy & Ethics, PE.
English literature, English Language, Drama, Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy & Ethics,
History.
English literature, English Language, Drama, Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy & Ethics,
Health & Social Care, Languages, Travel &Tourism, Geography, Business studies, Enterprise &
Employability, Film Studies.
Maths, Further Maths, Computing, Physics, Economics, Chemistry, Business Studies.
Fine Art, Theatre Studies, Creative textiles, PE, Music & Music tech, English Lit., Film Studies,
Product Design, Fashion & Clothing.
Creative Textiles, Fine Art, Btec Fashion & Clothing, Food Nutrition & Health, English Lang &
Literature, Computing, Product Design.
Scientific
Biology, chemistry, Physics, Applied Science, PE, Food Nutrition & Health, Product Design,
Maths, Further Maths.
Sport & Leisure
industry
PE, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Sociology, History, Maths, Business Studies, Food Nutrition &
Health, Product Design, Psychology.
During the sixth form open evening, subject teachers, members of the sixth form team, sixth form students
and members of the school senior leadership team will be available to discuss with parents and students
the options available to them at Magdalen College School.
Ian Horner