Courses, Subjects and Entry Criteria

If you want to study A Levels full-time at Belfast Met there are three main pathways, each of which has its own set of entry criteria.

GCSE Points Tariff

GCSE Points Tariff for A Levels
Grade	Grade (9-1)	Belfast Met Tariff Point
A*	9 or 8	6
A	7	5
B	6	4
C/C*	5 or 4	3
D	3	2
E	2	1

AS Level

AS (First Year – Application Code P00246-AA). Please note that list of subjects may be amended.

• 16 or over on 1st July 2023
• At least 20 points at GCSE which includes 5 passes at grade C or above
• The subject-specific requirements below:

AS Levels & A2 Levels
Subject	GCSE minimum Grade C or as stated below for subjects indicated
Biology	Double Award Science minimum Grade BB or Grade C GCSE Biology plus English and Maths. (Must also take another Science related subject e.g., Geography, Sociology, Maths, Physics, Chemistry)
Business Studies	English & Maths (preference to C* and above in either subject)
Chemistry	Double Award Science minimum Grade BB or Grade C in GCSE Chemistry plus English and Maths. (Must also take another Science related subject e.g., Geography, Sociology, Maths, Physics, Biology)
Criminology*	English & Maths (A-Level equivalent offered as a certificate in AS)
Digital Technology	English & Maths
Economics	English & Maths with Grade B in either
English Literature	English minimum Grade B
Film Studies	English minimum Grade B
Geography	English, Maths and Geography with a minimum Grade B in at least one of these subjects
Government & Politics	English & Maths
History	English minimum Grade B
Maths	Maths minimum Grade B (Higher Tier). Students who have not already passed GCSE Further Maths MUST take it in addition to their A Level subjects
Media Studies	English & Maths
Physics	Maths minimum Grade B plus Double Award Science minimum Grade BB or Grade B in GCSE Physics plus English. (Must also take another Science related subject e.g., Geography, Sociology, Maths, Chemistry, Biology) Students who have not already passed GCSE Further Maths MUST take it in addition to their A Level subjects.)
Religious Studies	English & Maths
Sociology	English & Maths

A2 Level

(Second Year – Application code P00247-AA). The subjects offered at A2 mirror those offered for AS.

• 17 or over on 1st July 2023
• Must have passes (grades A-E) at AS Level in chosen subjects awarded by the same Awarding Organisation. (We may be able to accept students with passes in Economics and Sociology sat through Awarding Organisations other than AQA).

Fast Track A Level

(One Year course – Application code P00245-AA)

• 18 or over on 1st July 2023
• Must have a pass grade (A*-E) in at least one A Level subject
– please note we do not accept Applied A Levels
• At least 25 points at GCSE including 5 passes at grade C

The subject-specific requirements below:

Subject	GCSE minimum Grade C or as stated below
Biology	Double Award Science minimum Grade BB or Grade C GCSE Biology
Business Studies	Maths & English (preference to C* and above in either subject)
Chemistry	Double Award Science minimum Grade BB or Grade C in GCSE Chemistry
Digital Technology	English & Maths
Economics	Grade B in English & Maths
English Literature	English minimum Grade B
Geography	English, Maths and Geography with a minimum Grade B in at least one of these subjects
Government & Politics	English & Maths
History	English minimum Grade B
Maths	Maths minimum Grade B (Higher Tier). Students without pass grades in GCSE Further Maths or AS Maths must take GCSE Further Maths in addition to their A Level subjects
Physics	Maths minimum Grade B plus Double Award Science minimum Grade BB or Grade B in GCSE Physics
Religious Studies	English & Maths
Sociology	English & Maths

*Please note: This list is subject to change dependent on demand for subjects. Applicants hoping to take A Level Science subjects on the Fast Track course should have prior experience of having studied at least one Science subject at A Level

Our Subjects and Specifications - 2 Year A Level & Fast Track (One Year Intensive)

Please pay particular attention to the information below, especially if you are intending to join Year 2 of the Two-Year course or the Fast Track provision. This is because it is at the discretion of Awarding Organisations (AO) whether to permit you to mix and match an AS qualification sat under one board with an A2 in the same subject under a different board. It is your responsibility to contact the relevant AO to request confirmation in writing that such a combination is permitted.

Please note that students enrolled on Daytime (AS) subjects at Belfast Met in 22-23 may progress automatically to A2 but only if they have passed a minimum of two subjects (Grade E or higher) and only in the subjects they have passed. Students who progress in two subjects must take a third option to retain full-time status. This option will be determined by the course team.

Subject	AO	Website	College Contact
Biology	CCEA	Click Here	[email protected]
Business Studies	CCEA	Click Here	[email protected]
Chemistry	CCEA	Click Here	[email protected]
Digital Technology	CCEA	Click Here	[email protected]
Economics	AQA	Click Here	[email protected]
English Literature	CCEA	Click Here	[email protected]
Film Studies	WJEC	Click Here	[email protected]
Geography	CCEA	Click Here	[email protected]
Government & Politics	CCEA	Click Here	[email protected]
History	CCEA	Click Here	[email protected]
Maths	CCEA	Click Here	[email protected]
Media Studies	WJEC	Click Here	[email protected]
Physics	CCEA	Click Here	[email protected]
Religious Studies	CCEA	Click Here	[email protected]
Sociology	AQA	Click Here	[email protected]
Criminology	WJEC	Click Here	[email protected]