Discover our courses
Further your passion to learn and develop in a learning community that is vibrant, challenging and caring.
View all coursesWe believe that your sixth form experience is about more than your subject choices – it’s about the next chapter of your life, your journey to an exciting new world.
At Cowes Sixth Form we want to further your passion to learn and encourage your desire to explore and develop in a learning community that is vibrant, challenging and caring.
Degrees in sciences, technology, engineering and maths are sometimes referred to as STEM degrees.
For these courses, universities often expect you to have studied specific subjects at A-level, or a specific combination of subjects. The sciences – chemistry, biology or physics – and maths, including further maths, are a good place to start.
Many STEM degrees fall into one of three disciplines: biological and life sciences, physical sciences (which includes engineering) and medicine, dentistry and veterinary sciences.
Humanities degrees involve the study of human culture. English literature, history and philosophy are some examples.
Some courses may require you to have studied the subject at A-level, which is often the case with history and English literature. Others have no specific requirements but may suggest taking related subjects as good preparation.
Sometimes, universities want to see that you have built up your essay writing skills. It’s always best to check individual university requirements carefully.
Social sciences include anthropology, business, economics, geography, law, politics and sociology. These degrees involve the study of human society and social relationships.
The topics social scientists study vary a lot, which means that subject requirements vary too. For example, maths may be considered good preparation for courses that involve frequent use of statistics, such as economics, but won’t be necessary for others.
For some social science degrees, such as geography, some universities may expect you to have taken the same subject at A-level.
For most students, the study programme will comprise of:
- Three advanced level courses (or four for some)
- The Extended Project Qualification
- Enrichment courses from the extended curriculum plus additional citizenship activities and other extension opportunities
- Tutorial programme
- Up to four charter periods
The opportunity to consider four advanced level subjects will be offered to students achieving a high admission score.
Course list
The A-level Art and Design course includes a detailed introduction to a wide range of media and techniques, allowing you to experiment, explore and discover your strengths. You will then use these skills to work independently, creating a set of work, using whatever media and techniques you choose. You will learn to develop ideas over time using artists and designers as inspiration. You will also explore your ideas through research and writing based on your practical work.
Entry Requirements: GCSE grade 5 across subjects including English and Maths. Ideally grade 6 in Art.
This programme offers you a broad study of the biosciences. You will develop your practical skills through fieldwork and the carrying out of experiments while gaining a fuller understanding of living matter. You will study life at several different levels, from molecules and cells to whole organisms and species, right up to communities and ecosystems.
Entry Requirements: GCSE grade 5 across subjects including English and maths. GCSE grade 6 in triple or double science.
Specification: https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-and-a-level/biology-a-h020-h420-from-2015/
A-level business introduces students to the fundamental principles of all business. The first part of the course covers the four main business functions: marketing, finance, operations and human resources. It outlines the way businesses have to co-ordinate, measure and adjust these four to remain competitive but profitable. The second half teaches how to measure corporate performance, analyse changing external influences on business including technology, competition, the economy and globalisation and finally to compare how different businesses manage change.
You learn to analyse real life business case studies (Apple, Uber, Sainsbury’s, Dominoes etc.), write more general essays on business theories, calculate and compare business performance and even make business decisions.
Entry Requirements: GCSE grade 5 across subjects including maths. Ideally GCSE grade 6 in English.
Specification: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/business-2015.html
You will gain a sound background in all aspects of chemistry along with comprehensive practical training. This course will ensure you develop your interest in, and enthusiasm for chemistry, appreciating how society makes decisions about scientific issues and how the sciences contribute to the success of the economy and society.
Entry Requirements: GCSE grade 5 across subjects including English and maths. GCSE grade 6 in triple or double science. You must be prepared for background reading and consolidation
Specification: https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-and-a-level/chemistry-a-h032-h432-from-2015/
You will understand how computer hardware and software operate as well as studying programming fundamentals and problem-solving skills. You will be able to apply your knowledge in programming to solve real life problems and learn how to write programs using programming languages and write your own simple games. You will apply what you learn, to develop the skills to solve problems, design systems and understand human and machine intelligence
Entry Requirements: GCSE grade 5 across subjects including English and Maths. Ideally grade 6 in ICT
Studying the practical, theoretical and technical aspects of theatre in combination offers you an unparalleled opportunity to explore and understand drama’s relevance, considerations and practicalities. The subject content for A-level Drama and Theatre explores drama and theatre, creating original drama and the making of theatre.
Entry Requirements: GCSE grade 5 across subjects including English and Maths. Ideally grade 6 Drama.
Working in a highly practical way, you will develop the skills to think logically and use theories to understand how economies work. At the centre of the subject is the question of how we divide up our scarce resources, and how these decisions affect us all – in other words who gets what and why? Economics is therefore the study of our society,
as well as the activities of various groups and institutions within it.
Entry Requirements: GCSE grade 5 across subjects including English. Ideally grade 6 maths
Specification: https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-and-a-level/economics-h060-h460-from-2019/
A Level English Language is concerned with many different facets of language, from the way we learn to speak to how we use language to assert power and influence on others. You will develop and apply your understanding of the methods used for the study of language, explore data and examples of language in use and develop your skills as a producer of language.
Entry Requirements:GCSE grade 5 across subjects including maths. Ideally grade 6 English language
The study of literature is also the study of life. You will read widely and independently, engaging critically and creatively with texts and ways of responding to them. You will develop and apply yourknowledge of literary analysis and will explore the contexts and interpretations of the texts you are reading, deepening your appreciation and understanding of English literature, including its changing traditions.
Entry Requirements: GCSE grade 5 across subjects including maths. Ideally grade 6 English literature.
Specification: https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-and-a-level/english-literature-h072-h472-from-2015/
You will broaden your knowledge and understanding of film and the range of responses films can generate, learning how narratives are constructed and the ways that spectators and audiences interact with films within specific cultural, political and social contexts. In this multi-faceted course, you will study contemporary and historical films from both Britain and beyond and will also produce a practical short film with a focus on technology and digital production.
Entry Requirements: GCSE grade 5 across subjects including English and Maths.
A-level further mathematics is designed to broaden and deepen your mathematical knowledge beyond the range of A-level mathematics. It must be studied alongside A-level mathematics and will equip you with the foundation of skills needed to study mathematics at university. All students must study the core aspects and then choose one route from statistics and mechanics pathways.
Entry Requirements: This course is only available to students studying A-level mathematics with GCSE grade 8 or 9 mathematics
Specification: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/mathematics/as-and-a-level/further-mathematics-7367
You will explore popular and contemporary geographical themes and issues and gain a grounding in both physical and human fundamental areas of geography, meaning your studies will move from tectonic processes and energy conflicts to globalisation and the effect of superpowers.
Entry Requirements: GCSE grade 5 across subjects including English and maths. Ideally GCSE grade 6 in geography. Students who have studied other humanities subjects or similar and who can demonstrate suitable abilities and aptitudes may be considered.
Specification: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/geography-2016.html
Develop highly transferable skills and foster your passion for history in our friendly and supportive history department. You will develop vital skills of research, analysis and communication while understanding how the history of the world has shaped its present. You will be able to follow your interests through our inventive historical innovation project which gives you a chance to undertake a personal study based on a topic of your choice.
Entry requirements: GCSE grade 5 across subjects including English and maths. Ideally GCSE grade 6 in history. Students who have studied other humanities subjects or similar and who can demonstrate suitable abilities and aptitudes may be considered.
Specification: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/history/as-and-a-level/history-7041-7042
Law plays a vital and wide-ranging role in society. Its functions include protecting the public, regulating relationships, the construction of agreements and the resolution of disputes. An aspect of A-level Law that students particularly enjoy is the ‘case study’ approach, in which legal principles are applied to real-life cases. It is the combination of human stories raising real and relevant issues that makes A-level law an engaging, yet challenging subject to study.
A-level law is a thinking, writing, debating and learning subject. You need to be able to understand precision use of language, and to write clearly, and you will learn how to argue, on paper and in class, to develop and defend your views on how legal principles apply to case studies.
Entry Requirements: GCSE grade 5 across subjects including maths. Ideally GCSE grade 6 in English.
Specification: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/law/as-and-a-level/law-7162/changes-for-2022
This popular course will develop your skills in analytical, abstract and structured thinking. A-level mathematics provides students with a thorough grounding in the mathematical tools and techniques often needed in the workplace. You will gain strong foundations in algebra, geometry, trigonometry and calculus that form the fundamental building blocks of the subject.
Entry Requirements: GCSE grade 5 across subjects including English, and GCSE grade 7 in mathematics.
Specification: https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/mathematics/specifications/AQA-7357-SP-2017.PDF
Philosophy has become such a popular option at A-level because of its contribution to independent thinking and analytical skills as students grapple with some of the most profound questions on the planet. You will gain in-depth knowledge of the core areas of philosophy while pursuing your own interests through optional modules on the great philosophers and key philosophical topics. The course introduces three components: the philosophy of religion, the problem of evil and religious ethics.
Entry Requirements: GCSE grade 5 across subjects including English and Maths.
Our course allows you to play to your strengths and gain dynamic theoretical and practical skills for further education or work. You will learn to understand human behaviour and the human body, focusing on applied anatomy and physiology, sport and society, exercise physiology, biomechanical movement, sport psychology and the role of technology in physical activity and sport.
Entry Requirements: GCSE grade 5 across subjects including English and maths. Ideally GCSE grade 6 in PE.
Specification: https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-and-a-level/physical-education-h155-h555-from-2016/
This subject will give you a profound understanding of the fundamental laws that govern the universe. You will build on your knowledge of laws of physics, applying your understanding to solve problems on topics ranging from subatomic particles to the entire universe. You will also have the opportunity to develop all relevant practical skills.
Entry Requirements: GCSE grade 5 across subjects including English. GCSE grade 6 in triple or double science and ideally GCSE grade 7 maths.
Specification: https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-and-a-level/physics-a-h156-h556-from-2015/
You will develop your product design skills in a hands-on approach through practical projects, working with a variety of materials such as wood, plastics and metals. You will gain skills using a wider variety of workshop tools, also branching into a more in-depth knowledge of CAD and CAM (computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing).
Entry Requirements: GCSE grade 5 across subjects including English and Maths. Ideally grade 6 in Art.
Psychology is the scientific study of the brain and behaviour. Human behaviour is complicated, psychology has used a number of different approaches in trying to explain behaviour. You will study topics such as social influence, memory, attachment, psychopathology and biopsychology and will learn how to carry out research and analysis and present information logically and coherently.
Entry Requirements: GCSE grade 5 across subjects including English and maths. Grade 6 in Science.
Specification: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/psychology/as-and-a-level/psychology-7181-7182
Sociology is the study of human society. It helps us to understand why people behave in particular ways when they are part of a group, tribe, culture, religion, or nationality. It explores the ways in which people are influenced by their childhood and education and also the background to power and influence in society.
Entry Requirements: GCSE grade 5 across subjects including English and maths.
Specification: https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-and-a-level/sociology-h180-h580-from-2015/
You will experience the rich diversity of Spanish culture, develop your language skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking and increase your understanding of the history of Spain. You will explore the social context of Spanish-speaking cultures and societies, also broadening your understanding of the Hispanic world by focusing on matters associated with multiculturalism and young people and their political engagement.
Entry Requirements: Spanish GCSE grade 5 across subjects including Maths. Ideally grade 6 in Spanish GCSE.
